HBX Challenge January 06 - Old Habits Die Hard


Disclaimer: I think that we all know, if anyone on this board owned them it would have been so different!
Rating: IM-15

Harm's POV


15:13 Local
Harm’s Office


I am sitting behind my desk looking over some files when the intercom buzzes. “Captain, your wife is on line 1.”

I hit the button, say “Thank you, petty officer.” then picked up the phone. “Hey Mac.”

{Hey yourself.} Her voice alone brightens my day.

“So how is work going?”

{Actually, when you only work full-time two weeks a year, it is a little exhausting. Guess my body just isn’t used to it anymore.}

“That, or maybe you just over worked that body a little last night.” I smile just thinking about it.

{You may have a point, guess I should lay off my exercise regimen for the next week or so.} Like that will happen!!

“You could do that. Of course, I may just have to find another work-out partner. I am a little old to be going that long without a work-out.”

Ignoring my comment, Mac says, {I called to let you know that I am not going to make it home for dinner.}

“Again? I guess I should be glad you only work two weeks a year. Paperwork?”

{Actually, Colonel Brown needs some legal advice, and I still owe him for working my weeks around Mattie’s therapy schedule. He says it is personal, so we are going to go to Rigazzi’s after work.}

“Mac, I don’t like that guy, he’s a creep. Besides, have you seen the way he looks at you?”

{Harm, don’t. I owe him. I am meeting him there and I will leave, on my own, after dinner.}
“Fine Mac, but that guy is interested in a lot more than your legal expertise.”

{Harm you’re wrong. Don’t you think I would know if he was interested in something else?}

“Oh yeah Mac, your track record for knowing when a guy is interested in more with you is real high. I only wanted you from the moment I saw you.”

{Well, if you weren’t being so contemptuous, I could have almost taken that as a compliment. I have to go Harm, I have work to do.}

“Maaac” I say in my most pleading tone.

{Don’t Harm, I have a meeting with Colonel Brown in 5 minutes 47 seconds, I have to go.}

“How convenient, first he is the reason you won’t be home for dinner, now he is your excuse to get off the phone with me.”

{I am hanging up now. Let’s just pretend this conversation never happened and that I left a message with your petty officer. Bye Harm.}

Staring at the phone, I have to wonder what the hell just happened? Okay, so I really don’t have to wonder. I love Mac dearly, I know she is the greatest thing that ever happened to me. The problem is, 9 years of pushing each other’s buttons and goading each other is a hard, and I mean hard, habit to break. Half the time I don’t even realize I am doing it until it is done. This is an issue I really need to work on. GRRR!




17:25 Local
Rigazzi’s


I spent the rest of my time at the office thinking about what a jerk I had been to Mac on the phone. So I decided to stop in and apologize. Problem is, that she is not here yet and I just can’t help but becoming more annoyed over the fact that my wife is going out to dinner with another man.

I hear the door open and look up. God, she is beautiful. I know that I am not the only one that thinks so either, almost ever male in the building turns to check her out. This is just annoying me even more. When we walk in somewhere together, I know that I am getting looks of envy from every guy in the room. When she walks in alone, they are all hoping she will walk out with them.

Half a step behind her is Colonel Brown. And he is checking out her six. Breath Harm, you can’t deck the guy, you are both in uniform!
She looks up and sees me, her smile vanishes. Yup, she is still mad. She says something to Brown and he goes to get a table while she walks toward me.

“What are you doing here, Harm?” she asks so sharply she could have sliced my uniform open.

“I, ah… Mac, he was checking you out as you two walked in the door.” Smooth Rabb. Divert her attention to someone else. Maybe I can get her to be mad at him???

“Harm, if all you wanted to do was piss me off more, you could have waited until I got home.” Maybe I should try a different tactic.

“Mac, I didn’t come here to fight with you.”

“What did you come here for?” she asks mellowing only slightly.

“Mac, I just don’t like that guy, can’t you trust my instincts?”

“Can’t you trust me, Harm? I am a Marine.”

“I know, Mac. The thing is, he is a Marine too, and he has 100 pounds on you easy!”

“I appreciate your concern for my safety, but don't you think you'd be better off going home and getting a good night's sleep?” Slightly mellow flies right out the window as she returns to full-blown hostile.

“I wouldn't be able to sleep if I was home. I seldom do.” I turn away from her and look at Brown, smug little look on his face, I can’t help it the words just pop out of my mouth. “Especially when my wife is on a date with another man.”

‘SMACK’ I know that sound echoed through the entire restaurant. It is still echoing through my head. I don’t think I will forget she is a Marine anytime soon.

I came here to apologize to her, and all I did was hurt her more. The road to hell is definitely paved with good intentions. I need some air before I screw this up even worse than I already have. I turn away from her and walk out the door.



18:50 Local
Rabb House


I drove around for over an hour trying to figure out what to say to her. I have given a closing argument with less rehearsal. Mac means more than a closing argument though, I have to get this right. I have to fix this.

As I step past her car I realize it is cold, she has been home for a while. Opening the door, I see Mattie glaring at me. Great! Why is it that women get pissed off in pairs?

“What did you do Harm?” Teenagers, direct and to the point.

“I don’t know. I mean, I know, it’s just… I don’t get it, Mattie. Sometimes, I open my mouth, and the things that come out of it…” I shake my head and look away. “I am an idiot.”

“You might want to open with that. She hasn’t stopped crying since she got home. She told me that she ruined everything. Go talk to her, Harm. And this time, don’t say anything out loud that you didn’t say TWICE in your head first.”

Halfway down the hall I can hear her crying. Come on Rabb, you can do this. This lady means everything to you, make her see that.

I open the door and she tries to stop. The only light is peaking in through the window. She is curled in a ball on the bed facing away from me.

“Mac.” I say sitting down next to her. She just scoots a little further away. “Don’t say anything, please? Just hear me out, okay?” She doesn’t say a word, so either she is agreeing, or she is still too upset to talk to me.

Okay, it’s time for the speech we rehearsed. You can do this, Rabb. Just like you practiced.

“Try not to say anything until I am done talking, okay. I have realized that the more you talk, the more stupid I become. I shouldn’t have stopped at the restaurant, Mac. I did just stop to apologize for the phone conversation, but I should have waited until you were home. I truly am sorry. I have been edgy all week. The problem is, is that I have spent so long distracting you from my real feelings by knit-picking about other things I don’t know how to stop.” At this she turns over and glances at me. Her eyes are so puffy; I am such a jerk.

I am so distracted by how disheveled she looks I lose my train of thought.

“Real feelings about what?” she barely whispers.

Okay, tell her the truth, go for it. “I am scared, Mac.”

She looks a little surprised by this omission, and confused. “Of what?”

“I have been dreading these two weeks all year, Mac.”

“Why?” she asks, obviously more confused.
“Mac, you love being a Marine. And well, now that you have had this life, with me, for a little while. I don’t know what I would do if you realized you gave up more than you received in return.” I look down at my hands and start fidgeting with my wedding band.

I can feel her shifting on the bed, then her hands come to rest on mine. “How can you think I gave up more than got back?”

“Mac, I know I don’t always treat you the way you deserve.”

“Harm, don’t. We both are guilty of that. Old habits are hard to break, but we are getting better, most of the time.” She squeezes my hands. “Harm, you and Mattie gave me a family. I have waited my whole life to have that. I thought you knew I was only in the reserves until I could retire. My life is with you now, you and Mattie.” She lifts her hand to my cheek and tears spring up in her eyes. “If you can forgive me?”

I crush her against me. “Hey, I had it coming.”

“No.” she sobs. “No one deserves that, I am so sorry Harm. I can’t believe…”

“Shhh, it’s okay, really. How about we just call it even? Can you forgive me?”

She mumbles something into my shoulder, I think it was uh huh.

We sit in each others arms for a while. I know we will be okay. Old habits are hard to break, but we are getting better.

After a while, she looks up at me. She is beautiful. “You know how beautiful you are?”

“Yeah, I bet I look great right now.”

“I think you’re gorgeous.” I say as I lean down to kiss her. As our lips touch, I can feel all of the emotions we have both gone through today trying to find their way out. I cannot help the things that this lady does to me, I have to have her…

50 minutes later

We lay snuggled up under the blanket, spooning. This is perfect. Ironic, huh? Perfect ending to an awful day.

“I love you, Sarah.” I whisper into her ear.

“I love you, too.” she says as she snuggles closer to me. “I really am sorry, Harm.”

“Hey, don’t. We’re even, remember? Besides,” I start as I lean down to nuzzle her neck, “you more than made it up to me.”
“Harm?”

“Yes, Mac?”

“If you ever find someone else to work out with, being old will be the least of your worries.” She roles over and glares at me. “Remember, I am a Marine.”

I have to chuckle. It will be a long time before I forget that she is a Marine!