Chapter 7

Stephanie was now starting her fifth week of pregnancy. Her "flu like" symptoms had dissipated for the most part and she was able to get up, eat breakfast and get to school without vomiting. As far as she knew, her "condition" was still a secret. The big news of the day at school was about Tyler. Everyone was talking about it and of course every story had a slightly different twist. The only common thread was that Tyler was back in the hospital to have some kind of operation. Apparently, when he was injured a few weeks ago, whatever happened was so bad that it had smashed his testicles and the operation was an attempt to save them. What had actually happened to Tyler was still not known by anyone in the school.

Stephanie mentioned this latest news to her family at dinner that evening. Melody, of course, was concerned for the boy's health, even if she despised him. It was a mother's nature.

When he heard the story, John chuckled. "Serves the sonofabitch right," he said with a grin. Both girls looked at their father questioningly, but said nothing in response. As much as she wanted to, Melody knew better than to ask if John knew more than he had let on.

Two days later, one of the investigators from the Sheriff's department stopped by the Meyer home after school. He confirmed that Stephanie had gone on at least two dates with Tyler, that on one of the dates, they had enjoyed a leisurely dinner at a certain resort at the upper end of the county and that, at least on that particular night had not returned to Stillwater until the early hours of the following morning. With her mother along side, Stephanie confirmed to the Deputy that everything he had said so far was accurate and true. She clarified that they had only been on two dates, not the "at least two dates" that the Deputy had mentioned.

"And then you suddenly stopped dating him?" the Deputy said in a statement-like question.

"Are you asking her or telling her?" Melody interrupted.

"Well, ma'am, I'm sort of asking I guess. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Two dates, a fancy dinner and then she dumps the guy?"

Obviously perturbed at whom she now considered to be an idiot, Melody said, in a stronger voice, "If you had a teenage daughter, and she came home two hours past her curfew time, you would understand the concept of being grounded and prohibited from seeing a certain someone again."

"Uhh, yes ma'am. Now I understand. Stephanie, one final question, do you know anyone who would want to harm Tyler?"

"I don't know him very well. But the impression that I formed of him, and I can't really give you any reason why, is that he has the type of personality that could easily anger some people. What that means, I don't know."

The Deputy closed his notebook, thanked them both for their time and returned to his car.

Towards the end of the week, Tyler was back in school and the word was now that he would never be able to have kids. Whoever or whatever had smashed him so badly that most of the necessary components had to be removed. At dinner, John chuckled again.

To the United States Army, Ranger Candidate Monson, Kyle W. was an anomaly. (All participants in Ranger training were addressed as Ranger Candidate, regardless of their actual individual rank). He had finished second overall out of sixty five men in his recruit platoon, finished tops in physical fitness, and qualified as expert in both pistol and rifle. In his Ranger class, he finished third amongst the ninety three candidates in the first segment. He had the top score in push ups, and sit ups and the fourth best time in the ten mile run. In the second segment, he had demonstrated exceptional leadership skills after he assumed command of his survival group when the legitimately ranked candidates failed to endure the challenge. His organizational skills, planning, map reading and resources acquisition skills were exemplary. In the final session of water training, he easily qualified in all phases and then, after a boating mishap, once again came to the rescue of his comrades before considering himself.

The boating mishap was more than a simple mishap, and by necessity, was brought to the attention of the Unit Commander, and then subsequently the Division Commander. His interest demanded a more thorough investigation which ultimately brought Ranger Candidate Monson, Kyle W. to the attention of Lt. General Nathan J. Winston, Commanding Officer 75th Rangers. General Winston had encountered a few other men during his thirty plus years in the army who had demonstrated such natural talent and leadership at such an early age. Each of those other men had gone on to excel as individuals and as officers, two making the ultimate sacrifice for his men and his country. He asked his aide to find Candidate Monson and invite him to meet with him in his office.

When the Aide de Camp of the Commanding General comes looking for a Ranger Candidate, it causes quite a stir, both in the barracks and in the officers quarters. "Who in the hell" and "What in the hell" were the questions for the men. While the General's Aide waited patiently, Candidate Monson changed from his utility grade fatigues to his Class A greens. His team leader, a young Lieutenant became visibly flustered when he was told that Monson had told the aide to "hang on" while he changed his clothes. It just wasn't done. Young enlisted men, with three months active duty just do NOT tell a Lt. Colonel to "hang on".

When he reported to the General, Ranger Candidate Monson, Kyle W. was a poster-like example of spit and polish Army. His uniform was immaculate, his shoes reflected the surface of the ceiling and his brass was flawless. With a snappy salute, he introduced himself in the classic formal military manner, and was invited to sit down, facing the General. The General wanted to know about Kyle's home life. Where was he from? What did his Mom and Dad do? Does he have a girl back home waiting for him? Why did he join the Army instead of going to college? What were his goals in life? And finally, how did he like being in the Army?

After the first several moments, Kyle relaxed and just chatted with the General. He was enjoying the break from training, and even though he had no idea why he had been selected, he was okay with it.

"Doesn't it bother you," the General asked him somewhere in the middle of their conversation, "to be sitting here talking to the Commanding General? Aren't you the slightest bit nervous about this?"

"Why should I be nervous, General? You're an ordinary man, just like my Dad. You're just in a different profession. I don't get nervous talking to my Dad's friends. Why should I be nervous talking to you?"

The General's Aide coughed quietly and smiled at that response.

"Well, you shouldn't son, and I'm glad you're not," the General replied. "It tells me a lot about you. What would you think if I told you I would like you to go to college?"

"Well, General, I'd like that too, but I'm sorta locked into being in the Army right now."

"What if I asked the Army to send you to college, and have them pay for it too?"