Yours... 'til the End of the Line

Camp Lehigh

James shipped out the next morning and I left with Peggy the next. I was eager to get onto the base and start training the recruits. Dr. Erskine notified us that he would rendezvous with us shortly after we settled into our barracks. We were greeted by a young soldier and Colonel Phillips. The man was intimidating, to say the least. His leathery face was marked with years of wrinkles. His lips pulled in a stern line, almost hiding the fact that he had lips at all. He ordered the young man to show us our living quarters before setting off somewhere within the compound.

Peggy and I shared space, being two of the only females on base came with some perks, I guess. Our cots were small and lumpy, but they would do. Peggy moved with an ease around the room that I could hope to reproduce in front of the men. Lifting the lid to the heavy trunk, I tenderly laid my belongings in its frame. Each piece of clothing matched the others and was meticulously folded. My belongings barely reached the midsection of the trunk.

Moving away from the bottom of the bed, I walked over toward the nightstand and placed a picture of me and my parents on my graduation day. The black and white photo did little justice to our features. My father towered over my petite body as he crushed me in his large arms. My mother was laughing beside me, screwing up her angelic face. I looked a lot like her now. Her full chest and distinct facial features, I doubt she'd recognize me now. The only aspect of my appearance that I had garnered from my father was his curly hair. He looked like a giant compared to the woman next to him, but he was kind and loving.

My finger grazed the side of the frame. I hadn't heard from my dad in a few weeks. A knot pulled in my chest at the thought of him on the front lines. He was a Colonel, but unlike most, he fought alongside his men in battle more than he barked orders. He'd lay down his life for anyone.

Peggy called over to me, pulling me away from my thoughts, and nodded her head toward the door. It was time for us to meet the recruits. Glimpsing down at the photo one last time, I placed a gentle kiss on my fingers before touching the glass. Turning on my booted foot, I sauntered out of the room, close to Peggy's heel.

Peggy wore an army green blazer and skirt. Her hair was pulled in intricate curls around her face. Her lips popped from her features, smeared with a bright red stain. She held her head high as she strutted down the hall and out into the sunlight. She was clad in a British Army Uniform.

Our appearances were contrasted slightly, only by our choice of uniform. I wore a white tank top and an army green blazer, along with cargo pants. I looked like I had stolen a uniform from one of the recruits. Peggy told me it'd be best to dress like them since it was my job to train them in hand-to-hand combat. My heavy boots clunked along the dirt path as we made our way over toward the Humvee that was waiting for us.

The engine popped and sputtered while it waited for us to clamber inside. Peggy hopped upfront while I rested easily in the backseat. The heat of the day kissed my skin as we rolled down toward the training grounds. Groups of men were either running or standing around and talking. Being on the base reminded me of the times my father would take me to work with him when I was a young girl. The men always seemed so intimidating back then, but now... not so much.

The car pulled to a stop in front of a group of twelve army recruits standing in line, facing front, with unwavering facial expressions. Peggy practically jumped out of the car with a mound of clipboards in her hands. Her long legs allowed her to get to her destination quickly. I scrambled out of the back of the car behind her and stood just at the head of the line of recruits.

My eyes scanned the men. Each tall, healthy, with pounds of muscle covering their bodies... then there was a smaller one. Short, lanky, looking like a child next to the other men, but a determined look on his face.