The Soldier Next Door

Well, talk about a mood killer, throw an ex-girlfriend’s name into a heated moment. But let us forget about that for a second. How does she even know about it?

“Of course, MacKey could not help himself. So what did he so kindly say?”

“I don’t know, like maybe that you were engaged?”

“And I bet you that he said that I stole his girl?”

“Yes, he did mention it. So care to explain to me why you never told me about it?”

Now is this something that I truly want to discuss with my ex-fiance? I know we said no more secrets and no more lies, but that is a part of my time here at Pendleton that I would like to forget. The thing is not even my parents know, so do I really want to tell her. Then again, I should not have to say anything, for there is no relationship between us anymore.

“Well let’s see, I don’t see why I need to tell you anything.”

“Maybe because we are in a relationship and we should tell each other everything?”

“See, that is where you are wrong; there is nothing between us. So maybe ask MacKey to tell you his version.”

With that, I turn around and make my way out of the bathroom. I grab my things from my table and leave to go home. We need to be up early, so I might as well hit the sack now. But the anger is now boiling up inside of me. Does nobody know what a damn secret means? Not that it is a secret, well only to Ana it is.

Now the thing with Emily is, I met her on my second last deployment; she was obviously part of the nursing staff. So I found myself one day needing some stitches; I was very reluctantly sent to have it done. The moment I set my eyes on the beautiful petite girl, she knocked my feet right from under me. And with that, I found myself going to the nurse’s station more often. After four months out in the field, we went back home, and she moved in.

Then we went out on that last fateful mission. She remained by my side for only a month after I lost my leg. She could not bear having to live with such a big responsibility. Not that she had to do anything, so yes, she broke the engagement off while I was still in the hospital.

But now, where does MacKey come in? Well, the man saw her at the nurse’s station just like I did. While he was trying to get her to spend time with him, she grew interested in me instead. So the man reckons that she belonged to him.

Now is that anything that Ana needs to know? I’d say I have two failed engagements. I am not looking for a third one.

So with that in mind, I climb into bed. I am not discussing it any further with anybody.

…. Ana POV…

What a shutdown; just when I thought that he could not get any colder, he goes and do that. Yes, it is really none of my concern, but I would love to think that we stopped having secrets. But forget about that, that kiss, I have never been kissed like that by him before. He is an entirely different man out here. Does it bother me? Which do I prefer? Well, I can honestly say I like the real Marine a bit more than the boy at home. Or maybe both.

So it is with that in mind that I rather make my way back home. It is an early rise, and I might even be able to catch him before we leave just to say that I am so sorry for overstepping the line.

But the night brings only restless sleep, so I find my way up and down, back and forth between the kitchen and my bedroom. It is only an hour after pacing that I finally fall asleep on the couch in the lounge.

And before I know it, I am packing my one and only bag; with each breath, I remind myself that everything will be fine. I am working myself up for no reason at all.

So when the clock strikes four, I have Ray knocking at my door.

“Hey, Ana.”

“Are you not supposed to call me Jenkins now?”

“It just sounds wrong when you call a woman by her last name.”

“Hahaha. Let me grab my stuff; then we can go.”

Ray, or I should rather say Evans, takes my bag from me and places it in the back of his car. With a heavy heart, I give my place a once last over. The comforts here shall become just a faint memory as I give it up for something far less small. A tent is not my ideal home, but as of a few days ago, I was looking forward to spends this experience with Ethan. Now I am completely alone.

A few minutes later, we stop at the bus where the rest of the platoon is waiting. I immediately look for Ethan; at first, I do not see him, but then I hear his laughter come out from the middle where he is standing with his squad. I can see the happiness on his face; this is what he lives for; this is his dream. And if I only get to experience that for the next couple of months, then that will make me happy.

…Ethan POV…

I am looking at Ana, where she is standing all by herself; she does not seem to share the same happiness that the rest of the platoon is feeling. Then again, it is a dream and desire that she does not share like the rest of us here. She has, after all, done this for me.

So I stick my pride in my sock and walk over to her where she is standing.

“Ana.”

“Yes?”

“Please come stand there with us.”

“No thanks, I am okay here.”

“Listen, I know we hate each other, but you are part of this platoon, and it is our responsibility to look after you.”

“Wow, I really feel special now.”

“Sarcastic does not suit your face. Now please, I don’t want to see you end up with MacKey.”

With that, she follows me as we start to file into the bus. Much to my surprise, she takes a seat right next to me. I look at her big brown eyes, and all I see is terror hiding deep in it. I take her hands into mine, and she nearly jumps off her chair as she gets a fright.

“Hey boo… shit… Ana… fuck… Jenkins… Ugh!

Now I look like a fumbling idiot. Why does she have my head in a flat spin again? I am supposed to be mad at her. Maybe I am just concerned about her; yes, I think it is just that.

“What I am trying to say is that everything is going to be okay. I will be here for you every step of the way.”

“Thank you, sold… damn these last names… I mean, Hunter.”

“Hahaha. It looks like both of us had a bit of stupid to drink last night.”

And that is how we sit, me holding her hand while we make the short drive to the airforce base.

Then as we line up to get on the combat aircraft that shall take us to where we need to be, everything becomes a reality. The adrenaline starts pumping, the warmth of pure happiness consumes my heart. This is what I have worked and lived for since I was eighteen. To be back here means more than even the world to me.

As before, I take Ana’s hand and let her come take a seat next to me. I make sure she is strapped in and that her shoot is working as it should be.

I finally sit down after checking on my squad. And before I can even think, the words escape my lips.

“I love you; I will not let anything happen to you.”

I hear her voice tremble, but when she sees that the tears are threatening to roll, she decides against speaking.

And then… we take off.

She looks a lot less stressed now and is able to speak.

“I am sorry if I hurt you. Thanks for looking out for me.”

“And I am sorry for not telling you everything.”

“So where to from here?”

“I am going to need time; my head must be in the game. Our relationship has been distracting me.”

Ouch! That has to hurt. The truth is that I am still hurting, and I don’t know if I can stand to be hurt again. I love her, and I will look after her with my life, but I can not promise anything more than that.

So she takes this as well as she can, and I start to prepare her mentally for what is awaiting us. She is trained, but nothing teaches you from not being scared, especially for what happened to Mark.

After several hours of flight and one-stop, we receive instructions to get ready. And one by one, we drop out of the plane. I watch as each member of the platoon decent to the ground. Then finally it is Ana’s turn; I lead her up to the door.

“I am right behind you.”

But she freezes stiff and does not move a limb…

“I cannot do this.”