Stay Safe: Chapter Thirty-Two
What follows is a chapter from "Stay Safe: Life After Loss," a book that I wrote following the death of my brother, Robert James Reeves. Rob, only 14-months younger than me and 32 years old at the time of his death, was a Navy SEAL on the prestigious SEAL Team 6. On August 6, 2011, while on a mission in Afghanistan, he and too many of his teammates and other servicemen, lost their lives when their helicopter was shot down by enemy fire. It was the single largest loss of American life in the Afghan war. And because of the high profile nature of this event–being on the cusp of the Bin Laden mission and the number of those lost–my dad and I were part of many, many memorials and events, and the recipients of much outreach, and the point of contact for all those wanting to do something in Rob’s memory. This book chronicles the first month after his death. I am releasing a chapter a day starting August 5th as we mark the fourth anniversary of life without him.
A Calm
The storm passed during the night. We awoke Sunday morning to sunny skies and nothing to do. The businesses were still boarded and closed, for the most part. Some awnings had been knocked loose and leaves littered the ground, but beyond that, we couldn’t tell a storm had traveled through the previous night. Though as soon as 10 AM hit, we were across the street killing time in a Dick’s Sporting Goods. Dad was buying some clean clothes (he had packed just enough for the trip; I overpacked and was good to stay another week if needed).K. made the trip across town and met us for lunch, which was nice. I think Dad may make her uncomfortable. I think this is only because she doesn’t know him and understand him like Rob did and I do. Dad has a good heart and only wants to do what is right with her. He was always a proponent of Rob’s staying with K., though I think that may be one of the reasons Rob was so against it. But what do I know. She is a sweet girl. I can tell she loved Rob.
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