Fight or Flight Mode

Chapter 1

       This is my first story and it is.......unique to say the least. I hope you enjoy it and feedback would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, this is my own made up version of the navy. There might be a few similarites, but nothin significant.  What you read is what my twisted imagination came up with. Nothing like the actual navy.

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     I glanced at my watch as I opened the door, ‘Crap! I’m gonna be late! ’  “Thanks I appreciate your help,” I said as rushed out.

“You’re welcome. I’ll be seeing you in a few months.”

“Yes sir.”

I rushed down the sidewalk, hopped on my Harley bike and headed to the funeral home. ‘Mom's so gonna kill me.’  I thought as I ran into the funeral home. I ran my fingers through my hair and smoothed out my black tank-top, jacket and pants, then walked calmly into the building, the smell of death hitting me like a ton of bricks.

“Where have you been?” my mom asked as soon as she spotted me, hazel eyes clouded with worry, black skirt swaying as she walked. Her brown hair, which had fluttered with the wind the door caused, settled back around her shoulders softly.

“Sorry I got caught up, but I’m here now and I still have,” I glanced at my watch, “five minutes to spare.”

She narrowed her eyes at my words and put her hands on her hips. “Got caught up? Where?”

“I was talking to somebody, but it’s not important right now. I’ll tell you tomorrow, promise.” I placed my hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eye. “Man, is she gonna kill me when I tell her.”

“Okay,” she sighed. “Come on Josh.”

My brother, who for once in his twenty-three years was dressed up, looked sharp in his black suit and tie, dirty blond hair brushed back, hazel eyes downcast, stood up from the couch he was sitting on and grudgingly followed us into the other room.

 It was a small room with about fifteen pews in it. Above the chair rail the walls were an off white and below the chair rail the walls were an ugly green. We walked to the front of the room and looked in the shiny black casket. It didn’t look like him. They never did. I hated funerals more than anything. The people never looked like themselves. I faced him anyways and whispered to him, “I’ll take care of her, don’t worry ‘bout me or momma. I have a plan.”

The viewing started five minutes late.

I was in between my mom and brother smiling politely at the people who gave us their condolences, wanting to be anywhere but here.

Here was reality. Here was doing my best to hide behind the mask. Here was standing tall and strong for my mom. Here was wondering when my brother was going to ditch us. Here was wondering what would happen to mom when he left. Here was reality.

When the viewing was over everyone headed up to the church for lunch, which some of the members had fixed for us.

I fixed my plate and sat down across from my mom and brother. The room was quiet, solemn. Everyone was lost in their own world, probably wondering what would happen to my family now. I wasn’t worried though; I had already thought up a plan and had put it in action. The only thing left was to figure out when to tell my mom. I knew she wouldn’t take Josh’s disappearing well, especially not so soon after my daddy had died. Josh vanishing really wouldn’t help me to break the news to momma. I just hoped she would understand.