Everything Changes Read Online Free PDF Page A

intervened yet, and Jase could tell Carey was trembling with suppressed rage.
    “Like I said, Bill is one of the finest men I’ve ever known,” Carey said in a frigid tone, his fists balled at his sides. “He would never turn anyone away, regardless of their religious beliefs or nonbeliefs. That’s not his purpose. His purpose is to help those men and women who have sacrificed more for their country than most people would even dream of. He helps heal them, and heal their families so they can have a chance at a normal life.”
    The man sneered again, but he looked less sure of himself.
    “He offers Christian counseling, yes. There are some wounded service people who desperately want it and need it. You disrespect them, sir— ” Carey’s voice was coldly disdainful. “—with your ignorant, bigoted remarks.”
    The man flinched as several pairs of condemning eyes turned to him, and without saying anything more, he abandoned his half-finished beer and slunk away. Jase put a tentative hand on Carey’s arm, and Carey jerked in surprise, turning to look at him.
    His eyes were almost black with anger, and he muttered, “I gotta get out of here.” Without another word he turned and pushed through the gate that led to the street and took off down the sidewalk.
    Jase hastily dug in his pocket and threw down several bills to help cover any further tip and then waved tersely to the others at the table. They threw him sympathetic looks, and he left to murmurs of “Sorry about that prick,” and “Wish they would check for military IDs at the door. What a fucking jerk.”
    Jase hurried down the sidewalk in the direction Carey had stormed off and saw his friend waiting at the light to cross the street that led to the beach. He caught up to him, and they stood there not speaking as the light changed and they crossed over. Jase jerked his head toward the right, leading Carey in a direction between the high-rise condos he knew had public beach access.
    He waited to say anything until they had reached the soft sand and were standing at the ocean’s edge, well away from the waves. The sound of the water was soothing, and Jase closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. He saw Carey do the same, and then Jase turned to him and asked quietly, “You okay?”
    Carey blew out a breath. “Yeah. I shouldn’t let assholes like that get to me, but they do.”
    “He’s an ignorant fucking prick who wouldn’t know loyalty and honor if it bit him on his fat ass.”
    Carey snorted. “If he only knew what Bill had gone through, burned in that tank explosion during the Gulf War. Missing most of his face, his hands melted. And it was his faith that got him through, that and the love and support of his wife. Did you know they’ve been married over twenty-five years?”
    Jase did know, but he didn’t say anything.
    “He lives with constant pain and the stares of strangers who can’t look past his ruined body. But yet, he flies all over the world to be there for the military personnel who need him. And okay, he prays and he leads bible study. And he gets a huge amount of his operating revenue from churches and other religious organizations.”
    Jase knew all this already, but he let his friend talk out his anger, standing in silent support at his side.
    “But he doesn’t judge anybody else’s choices, and he would never turn away a wounded veteran who needed what he can provide.” Carey blew out another breath. “Fuck that fucking guy at the pub. Fuck him.”
    “Nah, I’ll pass. Too ugly for me.”
    Jase was gratified to hear that startle a laugh out of his friend, and that he had finally started to relax and let the anger go.
    “Come on, Tiger, let’s walk.” At those words Carey elbowed him in the gut, but smiled as they turned to walk along the shoreline. They didn’t speak for a while, and Jase let himself fantasize briefly about holding Carey’s hand as they sauntered along.
    To distract himself, Jase said, “So… do you