Phone Call, Adam and Joe
Just after eleven p.m. so, if his math was correct, it would be just after four p.m. back in the States. Seemed a good a time as any to Adam.
Turning his phone card over and over in his fingers he made his way from his tent to the phone bank and chose a setup a little ways away from the captain talking animatedly to what Adam assumed was a small child.
He punched in the obscenely long numbers and leaned back in the chair, waiting for someone to pick up.
The first number left him disappointed, but he tried to tell himself that Icene was probably working and that he shouldn't be surprised. It wasn't like she could wait around by the phone for him after all.
He left a voice mail, then reluctantly hung up, dialing a second number and praying that this time he'd get something human to talk to.
This time he was in luck. A familiar, slow voice came through the line after the third ring.
"Hello?"
"Joe?" Adam's face split into a grin and for a second he could feel the great unhappy weight lifting off him. "Thank, God. I was staring to think I wouldn't get a hold of anyone tonight."
"Adam?" Joe straightened up, pulling his glasses off. "Is that you?"
"No, it's your other brother stationed in Iraq," Adam laughed.
Joe snorted. "Well at least it hasn't ruined your sense of humor." He leaned back in his chair again and stretched out his legs. "So, how are you? Keeping safe?"
"You know me. Safe's my middle name."
Joe snorted again.
"Oh, what? You don't believe me?" Adam laughed again, marveling in the fact that finally had something to laugh about again. "But seriously, the worst thing I've had to worry about is getting stuck in our own mouse traps. Which, believe it or not, I've actually done more than once."
Joe chuckled softly, "Slow learner, huh?"
"It's not that," Adam defended. "It's more that usually it's dark, and I'm not paying attention and I step without thinking and somehow always manage to find one or more of the traps." He shrugged, then decided to change the subject before he ran out of time. "So, how's things there? Everybody okay? Any good gossip I should know about?"
"Everyone's fine," Joe assured his brother. "I mine, Icene's rather lonely. I think she's still taking it kind of hard, but she's getting there. I haven't seen Eris too much, but I'm sure she's getting on well enough. She's a tough girl. And myself, well, you know me."
"Oh yeah, social butterfly you are. I'm surprised I caught you at home," Adam teased.
"Actually I'm surprised you didn't call, Icene," Joe admitted. "She's going to mad at me."
"I tried, there wasn't any answer."
"Oh, hmm, well, maybe she's still working?"
Adam nodded. "That's what I figured. I was thinking while I had you, we could pick a date for me to call again that way you and Icene could be together when I call, so I can talk to both of you."
"That's a good idea. When do you think you'll be able to call again?"
"Uh, maybe about two weeks? From today. That work for you?"
"We'll make it work," Joe promised.
Adam sighed a little, and glanced down at his watch. "Good. It'll be nice to talk to everyone." Another sigh. "But I should probably get going. I only had ten minutes, they'll disconnect us soon."
"I understand," Joe said a little reluctantly. "I'll tell Icene you called, stay safe."
"You too," Adam replied. "Talk to you again soon."
"Real soon."
"Bye."
"Goodbye, Adam."
Joe waited until he heard Adam hang up before hanging up himself.