I don't like myself right now. I miss the way I was. - Unknown
He wasn't sure why he dreamed of him last night. It had been years ago. He felt embarrassed by it now. Then he wondered why. Bogie had been important to him.
Years ago.
The guys hadn't been around for a while. Not that he blamed them back then. The trip to Barlow Creek had been a long one, crammed together in the van for the round trip. That had been hard. Not only were they tired but Ray's death had finally hit them all in its permanence. Should be used to that, he supposed, but none of them were.
But they hadn't been around, and he was bored with his games and his comics, and the VA in general. The only real entertainment was in the group sessions and that was mostly listening to the same people saying the same things.
He was sitting on a bench out in the yard. It was a full-sized bench, meant for several people. One of the other patients had their family visiting, sitting at a picnic table. There was a young girl with them, looking as bored as he was. They found themselves looking at each other, and the next thing he knew she was sitting on the bench with him.
And she had Bogie in her arms.
Long story short, the two had talked about how bored they were, how they really wanted just to be with their friends instead of here. Then the family called her over, ready to leave. She got halfway to them before she turned and ran back to him. She shoved Bogie into his arms, told him now he'd always have a friend with him, and ran off to her family.
He'd been very careful with Bogie at first, figuring the next time they came she'd want him back. But the guy they'd visited got discharged a few days later and they never came back. So he had Bogie for real, and he had indeed been the friend that was always there.
He stretched and wandered into the kitchen. Not a big kitchen, like at the compound, but at least it was easy to find stuff. He poured a couple cans of that 'stuff' in a kettle and set it on the stove to heat. He had a couple hours before he had to be at his latest job. He and Erica were going to go look at used cars when he got done.
He stirred what would pass for breakfast, sighing. His own apartment, a job - okay, a series of jobs, but that wasn't his fault. Now a car. With the exception of being at Stockwell's beck and call, he was finally leading the normal life he'd never thought he'd have.
A responsible member of society.
No more being someone else, unless needed for a mission. No more watching cartoons all night. He didn't even tease BA that much any more.
Normal.
Looking at his concoction in the bowl, he sighed.
He missed Bogie...