Chapter 9 - THE LAST VISITTwo years later, Admiral Holloway visited the house.
He arrived without uniform.
Just an older man with tired eyes.
Ranger greeted him immediately.
The admiral knelt.
“You remember me.”
Ranger licked his hand.
Holloway smiled.
“I never deserved that.”
Nora joined them.
“Why are you here?”
“To say thank you.”
“For what?”
“For reminding me that missions aren't always completed in the place where they're assigned.”
He looked at Ranger.
“Sometimes the mission is simply getting someone home.”
Nora's eyes filled.
Holloway continued.
“The K9 rehabilitation program is operational.”
“That's good.”
“It's named after Ranger.”
Nora stared.
“What?”
“Ranger Initiative.”
She laughed.
“He'll become unbearable.”
Ranger barked.
Holloway smiled.
“He already is.”
That evening, Nora found an envelope on her porch.
Inside was the original photograph from the warehouse.
On the back was written:
YOU SAVED MORE PEOPLE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW.
She looked toward the sea.
The sun was setting.
Ranger lay beside her.
Marcus stepped outside.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
“What are you thinking?”
She smiled.
“That three years ago I thought my life was over.”
“And now?”
She looked at him.
“Now I think it was simply beginning.”
May you like
Marcus took her hand.
Ranger closed his eyes.
