"You know there is a storage space off the balcony right?"

"Yeah, Carmen’s turn tables, music and her computer is in there already."

"Shit, you guys are screwed," Alice said and laughed.

Having my four best friends living with me was comforting. They were the ones that embraced me when I first moved and who’d have thought we were all lesbians? Family knows family, so we stuck together like glue. Though we were all going to school for different reasons, I was glad to have some study buddies.

"Thanks for staying with me tonight."

"Tee, anything for you. I want to be there when you leave for your first class, and I’ll be here when you get back."

"You’re the best girlfriend and girl could ever want."

She smiled and planted the softest kiss on my lips. I cuddled into her arms, and she held me tightly. We both sighed contented and fell asleep.

True to her word, she was there when I woke, and there when I got home from my last class. She had dinner ready and my heart sang. We ate and talked about my classes, my professors and all the work I was already given. She was supportive, letting me know she’d help anyway she can and would try not to be a distraction. But she was always a welcome distraction.

My brothers called me that evening and let me know about how school went. Ben got a detention for skateboarding in the school. Only he would get in trouble the first day. They went on to ask about my school and classes. They asked if they could come visit the apartment to which I gave permission only if they were on their best behavior.

It was an amazing first month of school. I loved college, and I loved the atmosphere. No silly kids acting up in the classes, no teachers half assing their lessons. I enjoyed it. I was deep into concentrating on my intro into computing text when I got a concerning call from my mother. She didn’t say what it was about, but the tone in her voice was not good.

My heart was pounding when I reached my car. She was clearly upset and I needed to find out what was going on. I raced as fast as I could home. I spotted my father’s truck and it alarmed me, there were bags in the bed. I ran up the porch stairs and burst in. I found them sitting in the living room, they were visibly shaken.

"Mom, dad, what’s wrong?"

"We have some terrible news," mother said through tears.

"Please, what happened," I say sitting.

"It’s Tim," my father said, holding back his sobs.

"Tell me," I shouted.

"His convoy ran over a landmine and his vehicle flipped over. He was rushed to medical services in critical condition. They amputated his left leg at the knee, his right arm is broken and he hit his head and he’s in acoma. Your mother and I will be flying out to Bethesda Naval Hospital in a couple hours. He should be there by morning. Baby it doesn’t look good, and I need you to take care of your brothers. And," he said and I stood quickly, cutting him off.

"No," I said and my mind went blank.

"Baby, I know this is a lot but your brothers will be home from their trip tomorrow evening and I need you to tell them and take care of them."

"No, this isn’t happening," I said and the tears broke free.

"Babe, calm down," my father said reaching for my hand and I jerked it away. I started backing away slowly.

"Where are you going," my mother asked, her tears still falling.

"Home. I..I need some air, I need to get out of here."

I grabbed my keys and I jumped in my car and sped away. I was mindlessly driving; I thought I was going to home, but I ended up in front of hers. As she opens the door, her face falls and she immediately grabs me and holds onto me and I completely fall apart in her arms.