Book 2: Chapter 22

“Why’d you join the Marines? Is that where you met Jordan?” I asked.

“I met Jordan when we were kids and his family kind of adopted me. We joined the Marines because we thought it would be a great adventure and to get out of the small town that we lived in.”

I nodded my head in understanding since that was the reason Mia and I had gone to college in Oregon.

“Where were your parents?” I asked not waiting for his next question.

There was a pregnant pause as he started grabbing the plates out and putting them around the table. I got up to help but sat back down when he gave me a pointed look.

“My parents died when I was three, a car accident. I moved in with my grandfather.”

There was a look in his eyes that spoke of a deep soul biting sadness and loss.

“When did he pass?” I asked compassionately.

“Last year.”

I put my hand on his arm as he placed a plate in front of me.

“I’m so sorry, Jack.”

His breath came out in a his