Trustworthy help

43. Discharge.

The next day I stand ready to give class to a new group at work.

'Lieutenant!' I see my team jogging up to me before I enter the building. 'The fuck have you been getting into?' Brooks asks. 'Ah ya know....' I get pat on the back 'You can't get into shit at home too, ma'am. Iraq was enough as it is.' Dolsen says. I'm about to move on but realize Dolsen (the guy who got shot) stands in front of me. 'Dolsen! You're okay.' I say. He smiles 'yes ma'am. The medic allowed me to join back in on Monday.' He says. 'Good to hear, private. How are you feeling?' I ask. 'I'm good! Happy to be back.' He gets grabbed by his neck and pulled down as they play around. 'So did you hear about the open day?' Jackson asks. 'No?' What open day?' I ask. 'They're opening up the gates for civilians, give them an idea of what a day in the army is like.' I nod, that's something new. 'I heard they were looking for you, lieutenant.' Eversman says as he wipes his hands on his pants. 'Then I'm betting you guys will give a show on that "open day"' I say. 'If you go we go, ma'am.' I chuckle 'you bet your ass.'

I make my way to the classroom I'm supposed to be in.
I find the general waiting for me.

'Lieutenant Harris.'
'Sir.'

There falls a silence. Something tells me that he isn't here just to ask me for help for the open day. 'Have a seat Harris.'  I sit down at the desk as he sits on a table 'I heard you ran into some trouble.' He says. 'Sorry?' He sighs and stands up 'alright I'll be more direct. Form what I heard from the director of medical affairs, you aren't in any state to function as a Lieutenant, lieutenant.' I tense up a little at his words but pretend to keep my cool. 'I don't see how that's true. I'm fine, I can work and sport fine. My mind is in the game too.' I say.

'Harris, listen. There's word of you being not too kind to the general- admiral. I don't know what you said, but the snake from the radio station is blabbing his ass off.'

I groan and lean back into the chair. 'So? You want me to stay away till he shuts up again?' I ask. 'Seeing the situation, yes.' I stand up, leaning on my desk. 'So you looking into my medical files to find a reason to kick me out, if I didn't go on my own?' I ask. 'I knew you wouldn't let them win that easily. So I'm discharging you till you have your shit under control.' He explains. 'Bullshit general!' He looks at me. Even though I'm mad, I'm not allowed to speak to my superior like this. 'Excuse me?' He says. 'I'll go to the med bey right now, they won't find shit. You can't throw me out like that.' I say as I grab my bag. 'Harris! I'm doing this for your own sake.' He says. 'I don't need protection.' I say before walking out. I head to the medical center at the base and they check me. I get a file, signed by the doctor saying that I'm fine.

As I walk back to the main building, a Jeep stops next to me. 'Hello lieutenant.' I smile as I keep walking 'Jonson.' I say back. 'Would you mind getting in, Eversman wanted to talk.' He says as he stops the car. I get in and he drives us to the other side of base. 'What do you need, Eversman.' I say. 'I've been asked to lead them during the open day.' He says. I look at him for a second. 'You can't be kidding me, right? Just tell me that you'll be there.' He says. 'Get everyone together, I have something to say.' I say as I look away.

'they're trying to get me to leave for a while, if not permanently.' Everyone seems surprised. 'But you're not leaving, right?' Someone asks. 'Like hell I am.' I say. 'Who is trying to get you out though?' Eversman seems to guess 'higher ups. The ones you put in their place, right?' I nod at him. 'They didn't seem to like it and are blabbing about it. They're trying to find medical problems so they can kick me.' I say. 'But there isn't any.' I stay silent for a second before I speak again 'there is, at the moment. But nothing I would find by any test they do, unless I open my mouth about it.' They seem relieved. 'I already went to the doctor and inspector. I got a file signed that there's nothing wrong. They aren't getting me out. I'll find a way to stop them from trying too. And to answer your question Corporal Eversman, I'll be there. I'll stand with you guys at the open day.' I say. They whoop 'let them fuck themselves!' They curse some more as they seem happy about me staying. Eversman, my second in command walks up non the less. 'What do you have going on?' He asks. 'Something stress related, is what my doctor said. Don't say a word about it though, it's a fair reason to throw me out.' I say. He nods 'I got you ma'am. Just know that we're always there.' I pat his shoulder. 'Good man. Keep them from fucking around till I'm back.' I say as I start to walk off.

'got it ma'am.'