Chapter 2

Officer Training was a breeze. There was alot of classroom work but I must say I did enjoy the practical work more. The most exciting thing for me was that once I completed officer training I would be able to start my Business Degree.

I completed my training and suddenly I was 2nd Lt Roger Easton. There was a couple of drawbacks regarding the business degree though. Firstly I had to give more time to the Army so add an extra 3 years on top of the 4 years I had initially signed up for and secondly I would be based out of the Army History Unit. This meant office work so I wouldn't get out in the field anytime soon.

The office pretty well run itself I had a fantastic Sgt who basically ran the place and I let him. The Sgt had seen action in Iraq and had been injured in an attack but he had a real love of the army and it's traditions. Pretty soon this was infectious and I gained a real insight into our army history and the love of it's traditions.

I hadn't heard from Sandman for awhile he was over in the shit as he liked to put it. I worried for him but he was well trained and well as he said when your times up it's up.

This was the first time I felt really stable I was studying for my degree, had set work hours and was still boxing when I could. Funny it felt more like I worked for a bank than the Army.

The only thing really missing from my life was a good woman. I was a romantic at heart and had dated a few woman and ended up in their bed. While the sex was good (what sex isn't!)I didn't have anything in common with them so it never lasted. This was all soon to change.

I had travelled back to my hometown for the weekend of a big music festival. I wanted to see mine and Sandman's folks and maybe catch up with a few friends, shoot the shit and have a few brews.

Well on friday night I caught up with all the folks and with all the news. My dad was considering selling the hardware store and retiring he was just holding out for more money. Sandman's folks were good with his dad infact taking over as Police Chief. They hadn't heard from Sandman as everything was hush hush over there.

I woke early saturday morning and went for my run. Getting back I had a shower and got dressed coming down to a nice breakfast. Mother's gotta love them! I then went in with dad and helped him open the store.

While in the store the direction of my life changed.

"Roger, Roger Easton?"

I turned around and there was Susan Bates standing next to this gorgeous brunette.

"Susan Bates. How are you?"

"I'm good Roger but it's Susan Peterson now"

Sweet lord I thought Doug actually married her. Susan went on to explain that she was with her cousin and they were in town for the festival. Doug was apparently overseas on a business trip and so she thought she'd bring her cousin Kelly to her old hometown.

Susan then introduced me to Kelly, what a vision. I had to wonder what the hell two beautiful women were doing in a hardware store but apparently Susan saw me and came in prior to going to their hair appointment next door.

I ended up making a promise to meet them at the festival and to "catch up". My old man had seen the exchange and had a laugh. He told me to watch myself as Susan was "on the prowl". I said to him she was married now, he told me that it didn't stop her coming to town every couple of months and spreading her legs for every tom, dick and harry. Good to see a solid marriage I thought to myself. Too bad I only had eyes for Kelly.

After catching up with a few friends I went home and cleaned up, had some lunch and then went forward to my destiny or should I say the festival.

The festival was in full swing by the time I got there and sure enough I saw Susan and Kelly. Kelly looked pretty uncomfortable as Susan was flirting with every man that came within 2 feet of her.

I wandered up and said hello. Kelly gave me a beautiful little smile, whilst Susan obviously intoxicated gave me a big sloppy kiss and then grabbed me between the legs.

"Looks like he needs something to eat Roger" Susan giggled

I told her I was fine. We ended up finding a table and I brought myself and the girls some drinks and food. Then for the next unbearable hour i had to listen to Susan prattle on about her life.

Apparently Susan had married Doug straight after graduation as Doug had put a bun in the oven. It sounded like a gunshot wedding to me as the Petersons' and Bates' were the richest families in town and the scandal would have been enormous.

Fortunately for the human race Susan lost the baby early on. Apparently Doug had joined Dad and he was in charge of international business for the company thus the frequent trips away but his Dad was in ill health and Doug would soon be taking over the company for good. Susan was a " lady of leisure". Leisure maybe but she wasn't no lady!