Chapter 17: Military—an Interlude

Academy

“Your bed’s a mess, Lingam. Get things straightened.”

“What? Give me a break. It’s Saturday.”

“No excuse. Everything needs to be in order so we can leave for the week. If Cap comes by for a surprise inspection, I don’t want my leave canceled.” Donnie Defoe stood ramrod straight in his uniform, like he did every morning at 0600. His shoes were shined, his bed was made, his locker was closed. Everything was perfect. His friend and roommate, Richard Lingam, was just the opposite. He’d live like a slob if Donnie didn’t keep at him. He helped smooth out the top blanket and made sure the pillow was properly positioned while Richard started tucking in his shirt.

“When can we leave this place?”

“As soon as you are all put together. I have our passes in hand.”

“How’d you get those?”

“Picked them up from Cap last night.”

“And didn’t tell me?”

“You’d never have taken the time this morning to clean up and make your bed if you knew we already had the passes. Now comb your hair and let’s get out of here. Honestly, I don’t know why they ever sent you to a military academy.”

“You know why. We lost. We didn’t even know we were in a competition and we lost. Lonnie Porras got the cushy position. The brown-noser.” The boys picked up their duffles, closed and locked the door, and headed toward the school transport office where they’d be shuttled to the train station. They were going home for the holiday—one of the few times in the past eight years they’d been allowed back in Covington.

“You know what I think?” Donnie said after they’d found their seats for the first leg of their train travel.

“Please enlighten me.”

“It was to keep us away from the girls.”

“There are girls down here. We date almost every weekend if we aren’t locked into some exercise. I thought you liked that Barbara you’ve been humping.”

“Yeah, I like her. I’m ready for something more than dry humping, though. She promised she’d go all the way when we get together at Christmas. I just need to figure out where and when.” Donnie paused and recollected his thoughts. “That wasn’t what I meant and you know it. Who haven’t we seen on any trip back? Girls, I mean.”

“Yeah. I talk to Peggy Anne once a month, though. I plan to see her this time.”

“Well, believe me, if I see Meredith Sauvage, Barbara might not be the one who gets my cherry.” Donnie had been fascinated with the redhead all his life. Not getting to see her for eight years hadn’t set well with him. But military discipline had. He loved the academy and, in the spring, would enter officer candidate school as he started his career. Eighteen couldn’t get here fast enough for him.

“Cherry.” Richard snorted at his friend. “You don’t have a cherry.”

“And you already busted yours. I don’t get how you managed to get laid by that Radford girl.”

“She wanted someone who didn’t go to her college. Reputation, you know? And we like each other. She’s easy to talk to and has her own apartment. I don’t have to try to figure out a place we can sneak off to.”

“And Peggy Anne?”

“Yeah. Well, she’s different. There won’t be any others if there’s her.”

Home

Donnie stepped off the train ahead of Richard and saw his parents waiting for him on the platform. Nice that they cared enough about him to not just send a cab. This was the way things were supposed to be. Two parents, three kids. House in the suburbs. Once Donnie got his commission, he’d have to seriously start looking for a bride. He wanted Meredith Sauvage but he didn’t kid himself. She was chosen as the Cyning mentor. That would place her way off limits. He wondered what Karen was like these days.

“Mother. Father.”

“Welcome home. It’s been too long. You’ve lost weight. Are you eating properly?”

“Mom, I’m fine. I might look thin, but it’s all muscle.”

“I like to see that,” Donnie’s father said. “We do the gym at 0700 daily.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll be ready, sir.” Donnie’s father had been in the Marines and wasn’t completely happy that Donnie was contemplating the Army. On the other hand, it was a military heritage and he was glad his son was following the family tradition so well. His two brothers were destined for other things. “You have anything besides your duffle?”