Her Only Son Read Free Page B

back home, living your life as you always have.”
    She had a feeling that wasn’t going to be the case. She decided this would be a good time to ask about her leave of absence from her job. “What am I suppose to tell my work? I can’t leave without giving notice. I’m the branch manager for crying out loud.”
    “That will be taken care of, it’s not something you need to concern yourself with.” He paused. “All you need to do is pack. There’s a list of stuff you should take in the brochure I left you. Talk to your parents and explain where you’ll be. You can call them, but they can’t visit the compound, it’s very restricted.”
    “How long will I be gone?”
    “I would plan on approximately ten to eleven months.”
    “I figured.” She let the long pause linger.
    “Do you have any other questions?”
    “No.”
    “Please, don’t try to run. I’ll be keeping an eye on you. I’ll be there to pick you up Monday morning.”
    “Can’t wait.”
    “I really wish you’d change your attitude about this. Being chosen for Operation Vala is an honor, Kinsey.”
    “It doesn’t feel like an honor when your freedom of choice is taken away.”
    “You’ll be well compensated for your service.”
    “I don’t care about the money. I care about having my freedom taken away and my family being threatened. You don’t see that as wrong?”
    “You were chosen, Kinsey. That’s all I can tell you. You were chosen and you will report for duty, whatever it takes.”
    Once again, she let the silence ring between them.
    “Go spend time with your family. I will handle the details for your leave of absence. You will have a job when you return, if you still want it. Financially, you probably won’t need it, but it will be up to you. I’ll see you Monday morning.”
    “Yeah, Monday morning.” She hung up.
     
    She went downstairs, sat at the table, and flipped to the end of the brochure to the page that listed the recommended packing. She noted that, for being gone close to a year, they didn’t require she bring a lot. Apparently, they took care of everything.
    She returned upstairs and took a shower. While the hot water ran over her, she tried to think of what she was going to tell her parents. She had to convince them it was her choice and that she did want to do this. The money, even though she didn’t know the exact amount, would help.
    What she couldn’t tell them was she was doing this to keep them safe. That she’d been stalked for the past two days by a crazy representative of Operation Vala and that he, or someone close to him, was the cause of Brianna’s accident. No, she would definitely be keeping that to herself. Her family meant everything to her and she would rather endure whatever the next ten months or so would bring, then take a chance on another member of her family coming under harms way.
    She would go to the hospital, talk to her parents, and then call Sheila. She couldn’t just leave without giving her some kind of explanation. Today was going to put her to the test. She had to be at the top of her game. She grabbed her purse and headed out the door, to endure one of the hardest days of her life. Little did she know, it was only the beginning.
     
    She was relieved when she arrived at the hospital and both her parents were still there. She decided on the way in that she would make it short and sweet. There really wasn’t any other way to do it. She’d have to stretch the truth a bit. There’s no way her parents would go for the, “Hey, I’m going to get myself knocked up and then leave your grandchild for the military to raise,” explanation. She’d definitely have to leave that part out.
    She gave her mom and dad a hug and looked down at Brianna.
    “How’s she doing?”
    “She actually had a comfortable night. It’ll take some time, but she’s holding her own.”
    She took a deep breath and sat in the chair beside her mom. “There’s something I need to talk to you guys