A Million Wishes Read online

  There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Even Mr. Price had tearstained cheeks. Miki had a shocked look on her face and she hadn’t even been able to say a word for crying so hard. Her Mother loved her. She said she was sorry and regretted the way she had treated her. Why didn’t she tell her sooner so she could home and hug her close one more time? It was cruel for God to not let her find out until now. But she was thankful, so very thankful to know she was no longer hated, she had been loved. Her. Loved. Mr. Price cleared his throat and began again.

  “There is one thing you should all know. If Miki decides not to accept the house and land, it’s going up for auction and the proceeds are to be given to the battered women’s shelter I’ve been volunteering at. As far as the other belongings in the house I trust you kids to divide and share it, if you don’t want something please give it to the Good Will so someone can get some use out of it. One last thing, love one another. Stay close and please raise your families together, all of you. Most of all please remember, I love you and am proud of each of you. Love, Momma.”

  Looking like reading Momma’s will had completely drained him; Mr. Price took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose before placing them back on and holding his hand up to quiet the sudden outburst of everyone talking at once. Well, everyone but Miki. She was still in shock and way too emotional to even begin expressing herself.

  “I have the jewelry, the keys and deeds to the vehicles and house. There will be some paperwork you’ll need to get with me to get it taken care of as soon as possible. Now your Mother also planned her service and has selected to be cremated and buried next to your Father and she’s already paid for it. She has requested only a small grave side service, you know how Mona was; she never wanted anything fancy.”

  He looked over at Miki and gave her a soft smile.

  “Mikayla, your Momma asked that you write and read her eulogy. She bragged on you all the time about how talented you are. She was so proud of you. I don’t know how many times when I’d come see her she would pull out that big binder and start showing me your articles and short stories you’ve had published.” Miki, choked, literally choked, and couldn’t get her breath. Callum started pounding on her back until she grabbed his arm and glared at him, picking up her glass of sweet tea and sipping it until the thickness in her throat subsided.

  “Momma wants me to write the eulogy, and read it?” He nodded and patted her arm. “She did. Will you do that for her Miki?” She slowly nodded and rubbed her hand over her throat, looking scared, slightly nervous. “I’ll do my best.”

  The chattering from everyone was getting too her. Question’s, poking, prodding, wanting to know if she was moving back, things that she didn’t want to deal with now. Standing, she grabbed her jacket and took her notepad and ink pen with her and left out the back door without a word to anyone. She heard Martha mouthing off again but Callum stopped her, and for that Miki was grateful. Right now she couldn’t deal with that, at least not in a nice manner.

  She ventured out to the old oak and deftly climbed her way up, leaning back and finally breathing. Deep soothing breaths of fresh cool air and letting her mind clear. Focus. Still she couldn’t believe her mother wanted her to write something for her. She never even knew Momma had been reading her publishing’s. One thing she had never written was a eulogy. Somehow she didn’t think her mother would want the usual “So and so is proceeded by such and such with services at blah blah, was such a wonderful person…” Miki wanted it real but respectful. So she sat there, jotting down things, making lists and scratching things out, rearranging, not even realizing the tears that streaked her face, or that dusk was settling until Callum climbed up the tree and sat next to her. “You ok baby girl? It’s getting awful cold out here and I don’t want you catching a cold. You ready to come inside now? Martha went home a little bit ago complaining of a headache, so the coast is clear.”

  Miki nodded and licked her cold trembling lips. “I was just working on something. Guess I got wrapped up, I didn’t realize how late it was.” He nodded and hugged her to him, kissing the top of her head and rocking her. “Why don’t you come stay the night with us and then you can wake up to my passel of hoodlums in the morning.” He grinned at her and she gave him a weak smile. “I think I’ll take you up on that bubba. I don’t think I’m ready to stay at Momma’s by myself just yet. I miss my nieces and nephews anyways.” They made their way back to the house and she hugged her other siblings before heading out the door with Callum. It was time to head to Mia’s to eat with the family, and then thankfully, go to Callum’s house.

  Chapter 6

  Noah - Last week of October 2005

  Noah Cane woke up in a hospital in Germany confused and momentarily unaware how the hell he got there. It’s a scary thing not remembering what had happened to you, where you were or what day it was. He tried to move and pain shot through him and he groaned, trying to turn his head to see if he could see anyone else. Shockingly he did. There was a line of beds with other servicemen that were injured in some form. The guy next to him saw him moving and smiled “Hey buddy, it’s about damn time you woke up. I’ve been next to you for 3 days with no one to talk to. Petty Officer First Class Jesse Buchanan here, what’s your name brother?”

  His throat was dry but he croaked out, “Lieutenant Noah Cane. You mean I’ve been out of it for 3 days? I don’t remember much.” A nurse walked by and heard him, smiling as she came to him offering him water. “Good to see you awake Lieutenant Cane. How are you feeling?”

  “Like I been hit by a truck and had glue poured in my mouth. Am I close?” He tried to smile, but frankly, it hurt too much so it came out more like a grimace.

  She handed him a little device with a button on it. “Just click that when you are in pain and it will give you a small dose of morphine to keep your pain under control. I imagine you’re probably hungry and it’s almost dinner time anyways, so I’ll make sure you get a tray as soon as possible ok? I’m going to go tell the Dr. you’re awake.”

  He shifted and tried to scoot up in bed but when he tried to move his left leg it just didn’t feel right. “Why can’t I move my leg?” Looking down and starting to focus better through the foggy haze of morphine things just didn’t look right. “Did…did I loose part of my leg or is it crushed or something, it just, something’s not right.”

  She patted his arm and looked forlorn, saddened even and said in a softer voice. “I’ll be right back Lieutenant. Everything’s going to be ok. We’ll take good care of you Sir.”

  Panic boiled up inside of him and he yanked the blanket back and gasped. Jesse spoke in a gentle voice “Hey man, we all have some sort of fucked up injury going on but at least we’re alive brother, hang on to that and remember how thankful your family will be just to have you home.”

  Noah was shaking as he looked down and saw the numerous cuts and bruises on both legs and his right foot. The shocking part was, his left was gone from just below the knee down. Nothing. He knew maiming injuries happened often in war, especially being a SEAL, but he never really thought it would happen to him. He figured if anything, he would die in the line of service not be crippled from it. What would he do with his life now? With an injury like this he would be honorably discharged. His life was and had been a SEAL for the last 7 years, and had a total of 11 years in the Navy all together. He had worked his entire life to be a SEAL and follow in his father’s footsteps. His head was hurting terribly but he didn’t want to feel drugged either so he kept trying to think, to remember, what had happened to his unit? Was he the only one injured? Had they lost anyone?

  “Lieutenant Cane...Lieutenant…Sir I’m so glad to see you awake! I’ve been taking my walks down here every day hoping to see you up and feeling better Sir.” Noah snapped out of his shocked trance to see it was Petty Officer First Class Caleb Rogers. Caleb had been in the front seat of the vehicle and Noah had been sitting behind him on patrol. McGee had been driving and Rich had been sitting right beside him
. It was all coming back to him now. The explosion, the screams and frantic struggle to get out of the vehicle before the entire thing was engulfed in flames. “Rogers it’s good to see you brother.” He held out his hand to shake his then realized Rogers left hand was gone and his arm was in a sling. He winced and looked up at him “I’m sorry man…” Rogers shook his head and put his hand on his Lieutenant’s shoulder. “Sir we were doing what we had to do. At least we’re alive Sir.”

  “What about McGee and Rich?”

  Rogers’s eyes filled with tears and he shook his head. “We lost em’ Sir. Two fine brothers. The IED hit their side and they didn’t have a chance. We got em’ pulled out but they were already gone Lieutenant.”

  “You did good Rogers, the best that could be done at the time.”

  Noah nodded to him and shook his hand, wiping his eyes as the Doctor walked up.

  “Good to see you awake Lieutenant Cane, I’m Dr. Hunt. You had a rough few days but you’re still here and look to be on the mend.” The doctor held his hand out to Noah and shook his hand. “I imagine you have a lot going through your mind right now. I’m just going to lay it out for you Lt. We repaired and kept as much of your left leg as we could and we’ll eventually get you fitted for a permanent prosthetic once we get you back to the states. Within a week we’ll have you in a temporary prosthetic but until then, we’re going to start you out on crutches tomorrow. You need to rest today, drink a lot of fluids and take some time to call your family. In the morning we’ll remove your catheter and wheel you down to physical therapy where you will start learning how to manage and balance on crutches. We will also teach you how to wrap your leg and some other things like that. You had some head trauma too so you’re probably experiencing some foggy and lightheaded feelings. Do you remember how you were injured?”

  Noah recounted the events and the doctor nodded, seemingly pleased with his recounting of events. “Well, we’ll be getting you into some rehab, therapy, and you’ll have to go through some testing and such then we’ll be sending you and Rogers back home to recuperate within a month. Your families were notified that you are in the hospital but in fair condition. Do you have any questions for me today Lt. Cane?”

  “When will I be able to walk and run again without using crutches?” His voice was shaky but it was clear he wasn’t going to let this keep him down. He was a fighter. No…not just a fighter, he was a SEAL.

  “A lot of that depends on you and how well your body heals. You are already extremely fit, so if you set your mind to it and do what your physical therapist tells you to do, you will be walking without crutches in a couple of months, although for longer distances you’ll be more comfortable with the support of a cane. I’ve had some very determined and focused soldiers here that were running 8 minute miles within 6 months. It’s up to you, how well you take care of yourself and how hard you’re willing to work.”

  “Then you better believe I’ll be doing that. Thank you Dr. Hunt.”

  Dinner trays were being passed around and Noah’s stomach growled even though all he really wanted to do was either kill something or cry, preferably both. Rogers went and picked up his dinner tray and brought it to Noah’s bed, sitting in a chair next to him and Jesse eating in silence. It was hard to find words in lieu of fallen comrades. After dinner he requested to call his family and was granted that, of course with knowing he couldn’t recount the happenings other than his well-being. SEAL missions were always top secret. When he heard the ringing of the phone and his mother pick up he had to clear his throat because emotion had swelled up thick enough to choke him.

  “Mom, I can’t talk for very long but I wanted you to know I’m ok and I’ll be coming home soon as I can.” She was crying, so happy to hear his voice and know he was really ok. “Give Dad a hug for me, I love you guys. I’ll call you and let you know when I’ll be there. Oh and Mom, do me a favor ok? Will you call Mikayla and tell her I’m ok? I don’t get to make another call today and I don’t want her to worry if she hears something about me from someone else. Thank you Mom, I love you guys too.” He hung up the phone and rested his head back on the pillow feeling exhausted. Two had died under his command and he needed to go see their families before he went home. It was his duty. It was that thought that he drifted to sleep with. His heart was heavy and his body was weak, so as the pain killers took him under he thought of the one thing that always filled him with warmth and made him feel alive. Mikayla. She was so beautiful with her long wavy red hair around her like a halo, her delicate freckled skin and bright green eyes shining up at him. He loved the way she would always touch his face and smile up at him, making him feel like the biggest, strongest man on earth. By the time sleep claimed him, his face was almost peaceful.

  Days turned into weeks and he kept training, working out his body and mind. He quickly learned to use the crutches because he sure as hell didn’t want to depend on a wheelchair. His wounds were healing, leaving scars marring his body all along his left side but they would fade more in time. He went to his therapy sessions and said all the right things and put on a facade that he was fine when in reality he wasn’t. He was lost. He had gotten the paperwork that he was being honorably discharged. He had grown up on a plantation that harvested Georgia peaches along with other fruits and vegetables but that was now mostly his brother’s business now. Noah had never wanted that life. He wanted travel, adventure and to serve his country. He wasn’t quite sure what life would hold for him now. At this point in time he knew he had two stops to make in Norfolk Virginia to see McGee and Rich’s families then he’d be going home, home to Sugar Creek, to the Sugar Ridge Plantation, and to his sweet Miki girl. She was living up in Atlanta still, almost finished with school, and she’d be graduating from college this semester.

  Funny how life throws you curve balls and makes you realize what is really important in life. He had cared for her since they were kids, fell in love with her before he’d left for the Navy and ran from her ever since. Military life was hard, especially if your husband was a part of an elite force such as the SEALS. We are called a secret society of modern day warriors for a reason, doing the impossible missions, training until all the weak fell and only the few that were strong enough survived. Many times going weeks, or even months without being able to contact family or let them know where you are isn’t an easy life to lead. He realized now that he made the decision for her instead of ever asking her if she would or wanted to be a wife to a man like him. He just assumed she wouldn’t. Now he was going home and going to find out if she had found someone and fallen in love. The last time he’d been home they had gotten closer and then he screwed up again. They hadn’t written as much since then and he figured she had kind of given up on him. He didn’t blame her. He had never been the man she deserved. But, that didn’t change the fact that he loved her still. She was his Miki girl, his babydoll.

  Noah and Caleb boarded their flight to the states, first stop would be New York City, then Norfolk Virginia and last, home to Sugar Creek Georgia. Caleb had requested to go with him to visit their fallen brothers’ families. Noah had been touched by the soldiers request and helped make arrangements so he could go as well. For now though they had a long flight, around 19 hours to think about life, past, present and future. Noah laid his head back, flipped the overhead light off, and closed his eyes. Focusing on Miki again he remembered back when he first realized he was in love with her, and how damn stupid it made him.

  She was 18 and a senior in high school. Already had her college picked out and was working on scholarships. She had always been so damn smart. She was the editor of her high school paper and had already had many articles printed in the Sugar Creek press paper. Since Callum had moved her in with him, she had thrived. Working a part time job at the paper and doing little odd jobs on the weekends, like baby sitting or cleaning and such. Miki always had something going on to save for her schooling. She was bound and determined to achieve her goals. She wanted to be a writer, a published auth
or and she had been well on her way.

  He on the other hand was 23 and had just finished his SEAL training and graduated. It was a feat of strength to make it through SWCC and BUD/s training. Most DOR (drop on request) once they find out just how hard it is. But he’d wanted it so bad his whole life. His family had several SEAL’s, and his father was one of them. He had called Miki and Callum to tell them he passed, and when the ceremony was. Mikayla had pretty much demanded that Callum take her to it. He could still envision how she looked that day. She was stunning in a yellow sun dress with her hair pulled up in a messy knot and little tendrils of hair hanging in soft wisps around her face. His breath whooshed from him when he saw her, and she ran up and hugged him, practically throwing her lithe little body in his arms. Laughing he picked her up and twirled her, loving the excited squeal she gave.

  “Noah Cane! I am pleased as punch! I knew if anyone could do this it would be you. Just look at you!” Her soft little hands cupped his cheeks and she grinned up at him, bright green eyes shining with unshed tears. “I am so proud of you Noah!” He laughed and kissed her cheek, reaching his hand out to Callum and shaking it, pulling him in and clapping him on the back. “Thanks for coming man; it means a lot to me that you two are here. Mom and Dad couldn’t make it so I’m just real glad you made the trip. Thank you.”