****

****

____

_____

It was Saturday, Saturday morning and I was working at the Hump Bar tonight. Just to get the smallest hours into my day. So I pulled my hair into a bun and went on downstairs, grabbing the cereal from the cabinet. Which was in a plastic bottle type thing, however, more organized one could be in that regard. Taking it out and grabbing the gallon of milk, along with a bowl and a spoon. Before just resting everything at the island, along with a cup of coffee.

Reading the shitty little magazine my mom has been getting for the past two months I was here. Almost three, and I couldn't have been happier to see it starting to spark interest in me. Seeing if they resolved whatever issues from last postings. "Hey...Uh." Looking up to see my brother is his normal basketball shorts and grey tank top do I ender why he's acting so...Odd. Until I hear the clatter of boys coming up from the basement. "Thanks for the warning," I say, putting the last spoonful into my mouth, placing it in the sink before taking my coffee and running back upstairs. Locking the door. It's a good thing I got cereal while I had the chance. 

And it was also good fortune for when they actually came up. For Ryan gave me a smile and a wave before I got the chance to make my escape. He hasn't seen me anything more than leather, jeans and my hair down. 

This damn party better be worth the hype my brother's making it out to be. But more importantly, they best leave me alone. For I need to finish this second essay before tonight. 

Getting ready for work, my hair already in a side braid. Did I just make my way downstairs and head to the barn to get to my bike. Only missing the football practice by a couple of feet. And in that regard, I should have just run. Acting like I was late or something that span. "Blake, can you help us. Ryan had to go home earlier and we need to get this one thing down. Just throw it to me." I groan out loud as I carefully place my bag and everything else down. Then my leather jacket as he just tossing me the ball. "The fuck you doing Jarod." "Just trust me." Whatever calls my brother was making, it was an easy guess what they were trying to learn. And in the instant my he was open, I threw it on over to him. Helping him make said touch down, but even when they did everything correctly. The attention turned on over to me. "Where the hell did you get that arm from?" One shouted, and instead of Daniel shouting his response. He came up running over towards me, like I needed any sort of approval from him. "That was a nice throw." "Thanks." Was I muttered, grabbing my stuff and trying to cut through this makeshift football field before a punch could even begin. "Stop flirting with my sister and get over here." "Not cool bro!" He shouted, allowing me to gain a few steps towards the barn. Unlocking it and revealing my bike, pushing it on out of the area did he just stand back to watch. 

Leaning against the open barn door, did I go to close it. And he helped me, for the first time in the good while I've known this asshole. He aided me with something. Earning him a smile before I hopped on my bike, and put my helmet on. "Hey, no hard feelings about the first day of school? Right?" I chuckled, making sure he could hear it before the roar of my bike sounded before us both. Pulling up the shades of the mask did I look on over towards him. "Think you gotta deal with my friends for that one Dan." The fact that I had so much power in this equation, I winked before kicked up the stand and putting my blinds back on down. Riding on off to the main road, it was already getting dark. Which meant the crowd would just be hitting the hump bar.

Parking in the back did I make my way through there, the security guard knows that I only make drinks. And the way this place flies, there is not a single second of actually getting a sip of it. 

Taking my station, taking orders left and right. Most of which were either beer on tap, bottled or this one house special with a cut piece of lime in a martini glass. Taking note of what the other people have been preparing, helps me learn about future orders. Because anything I don't know, I pass it off and learn from my neighbor. "Got a boyfriend?" Jessi asked, all while placing the drink up for them to be picked on up by the waitress. As I was cutting the slices, and reading the next order right after it. I chuckled, grabbing a stein right at her thigh and filling it up. All while responding. "Nope. I've been here for three months. Remember?" She laughed while she too waited for the same tab, pouring it into hers did I help for the moment being. Sharing a little laugh as well. "No guys at your school?" "Two. But I don't really think dating at the moment is for me." She rose her glass as if she was going to take a sip of it, passing it off to the waiter and telling them what table. "Was gonna say, I could hook you up." "That isn't a probably. My brother's friends are all over me." She too was cutting up some fruit, readying another shot of tab. While I prepared a few dozen shots for whichever table is starting a game of it. "Great to have power." "Not great for them to be annoying." It was nice to actually have a girl's opinion for once in my life. My mother obviously doesn't count, Maddie is my brother's girlfriend. Don't know who far that's gotten just yet. K&R is just at school until this so-called bonfire hits and everything goes well.

At least my brother seemed jealous of the party, even now is he waiting for an invite. Perhaps one day...

*


Work went late like two am late. And so I rounded my way home, trying to find the quickest route only stopping at the driveway to shut off my bike. Not about to wake everyone up in the house, especially not my baby brother. 

So I walked it all the way to the barn, just a nice quiet evening. The grasshoppers still chirping away, until I drew on to close and freaked them out a bit. Finally getting to my bike into the barn, did I hurry on into the house. Almost at appalled that my stepdad was in the living room. Cleaning guns at that point. "Can't save you this time kiddo, it's close to the morning." I smiled a greeting as I slowly shut the door. Having my bag fall beside him as I took note of his glasses and the rifle within his hand. "Didn't know we had guns in the house."
"Think everyone in the state of Georgia has at least one." He handed it over to me and seeing that it wasn't cleaned yet. Did I take the rod and place it in the first round of cleaner. "Mom never said anything about you knowing guns too."
"Some things I just don't tell mom." Was the round breaker as I took out the copper scrapper. Still checking to see if it was dirty. It wasn't. So I took a hold of a piece of cloth and began the second round while he took care of the pistol. "Could you use it if you had to?" Nodding to his question did he demonstrate it anyway, didn't want to ruin his big moment with me. Especially when he's being deployed within the week. "Feel much better having someone in the house that knows about guns."
"Jarod doesn't know?"
"Never cared to learn, he probably could if he had to. But you just took part the pistol and put it back together as if it was nothing." I chuckled, putting everything back into the correct spaces. While Michael took a hold of both cases, stuffing them into the closet. All while taking another set of keys out. "Better add this one to your set as well." Ponding the key into my hand for a moment, before putting it on with the rest. I've only ever really needed my bike and barn keys. Everything else was just a given or open. 

"Anything interesting at the restaurant?" "Not too busy, but not quiet either. Have to work on another essay for law, and then English." He took the seat back down again. Resting his elbow on the armrest, this was the big father-daughter talk.

Or should I say stepdaughter stepfather talk? Something I wasn't really looking forward to. "Doing okay in school? Friends? Sports? Classes?" Nodding did I begin to list them off. "I made friends the first day...Don't do sports," I began, and his reaction had me backtrack in the mist of it. I haven't done anything athletic in a decade. "And classes I'm fine with. Don't have to worry about me."
"I'm worried about everyone in this family. And I want you to know that means you too." That's when he made me open my hand, letting go one of his dog-tags. I smiled as I knew what he meant by that, beginning the story did I smile. Nodding in approval that I was going to go through with this little thing of his.

"We're family. Even from away we support each other...Mom taught me that one."
"I've never met a kinder soul than your mother, I hope you plan on sticking around for college. Don't want to see her lose you to adulthood too quickly." Smiling did I have to remind him I'm almost 18, just haven't met the requirements to this school in this district. For whatever the reason. 

After we talked sports wise, and me throwing the ball on off to Jarod in front of his friends. Did he wave me off to go to bed, just like mom? For the second I laid a yawn out into the air. Marching me upstairs, when in reality. He needed to be up soon for work, as did mom. 

It's Sunday, but not for either of them.

That night I couldn't sleep, tossing in turning. Thinking over Michael's words. Of staying in the area for college, or at least for a decent few years. They are paying for my education, and in the timespan of them knowing me for those two good years. I doubt I'd want to spend that much money on everything. 

So I decided to look through options, not much. But programs that would best interest me, with the cup of orange juice in my hand. Along with my laptop, was I quick with the amount of typing is done. "Hey...Blake..." Jarod started, already dressed. While I had my hair in a bun, a band cover the loose ends to the top of my head. Along with a long sweater and leggings on. My eyebrows scrunched together as I took his expression and his lack of words. "What's up?"
"Dad got his orders. We're heading to the base." I almost spit up my drink, quickly recovering myself did I jump down from the bar stool I was sitting on to meet him in the conversation. "What do I do?"
"Wear something nice, we're the Lieutenant General's kids." Again did I nod, grabbing my laptop and my drink while running upstairs. Placing everything on my desk did I search my closet.

Nothing in the category of nice...Unless I dove on into my mother's pick section. Finding something I could actually see myself wearing in a different occasion was just a normal grey maxi dress. No other colors, just the solid one. Having straps did I pair it with a jean jacket. 

Topping it all of did I braid my hair to one side, before placing the dog-tags on right on after. I should have caught Jarod wearing them much too soon. Getting downstairs did mom see me, her eyes already caught into tears as she held onto poor Mickey. "Gotta be on the tarmac in 1500." Three o'clock, right? Guess that is what it means. All piling into the car and I stuck in the back, a baby seat stuck between Jarod and myself as we head down the main road. Quickly getting onto the highway.

Allowing Mickey to play with my hand ended up being a terrible idea, for one he would begin to fuss if I didn't keep it near him. But in due time I think I understood why he was so intrigued. My nails were a nice shade of black, and assuming that he hasn't seen it before was an assumption I would likely take hold of. 

Texting Joe that I won't be coming to work tonight, not knowing how long this would take or how my family would react to the fact we come home and Micheal isn't in the car. But all was said and done once we entered the compound, my identity was a mystery to anyone who saw me get out of the car. Sort of funny for whichever one of my stepdad's men had to open my door. 
Only to see it was me, and not his wife. But I did take the time to get the baby out of his seat and carry him as my mom said her final goodbyes to her husband. 
The idea in my head of the tarmac was a plot of land for airplanes, but the size of this jumbo jet was not in favor with the one in my head. Three heavy monsters laid right on down. Taking a look at them was a bit of a distraction, considering I know no one and Jarod. Had he not pulled my arm closer, I would be lost where we were heading. 

Apparently special seating? Didn't think much of myself until then, but it was a nice favorite that they had one for me. Guess the memo was reached in the proper form. Probably reached everywhere....Right? Isn't that how the community works here? Army strong. Something I need to act that part in. 

Greetings and handshakes to Michael's friends and coworkers, all of which had their wives and children within. Trying to get to the area of decent, but little did I know of his speech that he needed to present. 

There was no telling what he was saying, but these people who are looking to him. Looking to him for trust, guidance and everything else in the sort. 
My mother had done right by the both of us, caring for Jarod as she wished for me. But in the end, did his mother pass away. Leaving General Holden to weep, guess the danger isn't always on the battleground. It's at home as well.

The waves of mini flags, an object I allowed Mickey to wave, following the actions of all the kids around him before they made it to the end of the speech. Having all before him salute, walking off to the planes. 

A smile was all I could offer him and a wave. Pointing Mickey in the direction of his father before he too was set to leave, a large backpack and a duffle bag were all that was allowed. Before he followed the men and women that were enlisted to serve. 

Jarod's hand fell on mine as I realized that tears were forming in my eyes. "Didn't think I was going to get emotional like this..."
"It's in the air. We'll be alright." My smile quivered as I nodded to his words, looking back at my stepdads figure. Which was getting smaller and smaller as he marched on forward.
"First time I had a solid dad...And he's going away too."
"Not for very long." Thoughts drifting onto my mother,  I did not put her into consideration unitl this very moment. Even after the planes had taken off, did we stay the short time to talk to the other wives and children. Something that I did not expect, was to meet new people for the first time that already know everything about me. 

If it wasn't for little Mickey in my hands, I would have gotten so many forceful hugs than I could have cared to count for. "My name is Denise, your mother and I have been friends...God knows how long. We work together at the hospital on base." She was a very nice woman, and like most of the people here. Along with a few men that allowed their wife to go forth...Was it generally warming that I was not the only one feeling this way.

The only issue was...I didn't like that many people knowing my story. 

How selfish that sounds. I know. But the pity looks they were all giving me, encouraged what I was going to do later. Lock myself in my room when I get home. This feeling of abandonment isn't welcoming in the pit of my stomach. 

Wonder where it comes from. 
"Sweetie? Are you okay?" I turned around from the food table, letting Mickey pick on some sort of fruit for the time being. It was past lunchtime and I doubt he had much to eat before we left the house.
"I'm fine...Didn't think I was going to be ambushed by..." Motioning on over to my mother's friends who were talking to Jarod, along with my brother talking to their sons. 
Appearing to be the same age. Telling me the fact that Jarod must have lived here for the short time without mom in the picture just yet. "Oh, honey I didn't even think of that. I'm so sorry...-" I cut her off. "Don't worry about it." Was all I said, smiling. Like everything was okay, I doubt she told them the gossip of it all. Telling them about her situation probably wasn't easy on her behalf. 

I just don't know how far the story is continued in their minds. For I am still currently living it. 

A good few hours have passed, and we moved from the tarmac to the parking lot. Only a few divisions had left today, others will follow in the given weeks as instructed by stepdad's orders. 

Finally, time to go did I hand off Mickey to mom for the first time today, my arms were sore from the same equal weight I've had all day. But sitting in the front of her car was the added bonus since the relaxation started with a seat warmer. And heat. "You're not working today are you?" My brother asked, driving down the main road just outside the base. It was quaint, few houses that resembled the larger ones in the community we just left from. "No. I called Joe, she understood." He nodded, continuing onto the highway as my mom distracted Mickey from everything around him. Or he was distracting her from everything around her.

Could work both ways.

As we made it home, mom had the idea that we all eat dinner tonight and act like Michael was here. Just in the spirit that we could go through with one of these rituals. So I helped out in the kitchen, as much as I could that it. She had her plan, I had another. And we couldn't find the grove this time, but we managed to put food on the table for Jarod and Mickey.

A prayer and then the utter silence was all that occurred during dinner, along with us leaving to go to our rooms. 

The house was dead. If that could even be a trait, and there was nothing in my mind to prepare me for the test tomorrow. Or the amount of textbook work I have due in the next two days, it wasn't that I didn't want to do it. Just my brain was caught up in everything that has happened, how all of my life just ended in this single damn moment. 
In a nice room, with a loving family. And my education just sitting in the mill before me, no possible way of actually getting it done at all.

_____

Date Posted: 12-24-17 // Time: 
Word-Count: 3443

______