Rachel's Turn

Chapter 2

 Ryan was her sister Sara's friend. Well, he started out as a friend to her older sister but was more like an adopted family member. Ryan's grandmother lived in the neighborhood and he would hang out with Sara and the family when he visited. Unfortunately, the two were slightly older than Rachel, by about five years, and fifteen year old Sara did not want her ten year old baby sister hovering around her and her friends. Ryan was always very kind to Rachel and invited her to go to the park with them and go swimming with them. 

 Sara hated it when Rachel would go and always tried to find a way to get her to stay away. No fault to Sara, Rachel was a pretty awesome little sister and took her job as being annoying very seriously when she was little. As time passed, Rachel matured and became less annoying, but Sara always saw her that way. Guess once an annoying little sister always an annoying little sister. 

     Ryan seemed to invite Rach, as he called her, to tag along more often as the years continued. She was ecstatic with every invitation, but Rachel's frustration and anger toward her sister intensified each time Sara talked to their parents and it ended in Rachel not being able to go. It was so unfair why she was only allowed to be around him whenever Sara deemed it acceptable. "Rachel you are so pathetic. He only asks you because he feels sorry for you," her sister would bark. Rachel was not stupid, she knew he was out of her league but it wasn't a sin to enjoy the friendship and attention he gave her. He didn't belong to Sara like a puppy.

 The entire family loved Ryan, as well. Was he perfect? No, but he was a good guy. He loved the Taylors so much. He was an unofficial part of their family, which made it difficult when he decided to join the military. Mom and dad knew he needed the structure and responsibility the navy offered in order to become the best man. The news of his joining and leaving for boot camp came two months before Rachel's fifteenth birthday and it crushed her heart that he would miss it. Her sister Sara was upset too and it seemed like everyone consoled her and didn't bother with Rachel, the little sister!

     A week before he left for boot camp, Ryan accompanied the Taylor's at the lake for one last weekend of camping and fun. All day Saturday, Mr. Taylor pulled whoever was brave enough on the inner tubes or ski's, or just threw everyone in the boat for a joy ride. At night, they would roast hot dogs and marshmallows, sit around talking then turn in for the evening. Everyone was tired and drained from the sun and fun and welcomed their beds.

 That night, Rachel couldn't sleep and decided to walk down to the water and think. She was almost fifteen now and her silly little crush on Ryan seemed childish but she was worried about him. Crush or not, he was a part of her life and she wanted him to be safe and never have to face fighting in a war. Her fears replayed as the waves lapped the shore line with the wind. She sat there with her arms around her knees as she entertained the few tears that moistened her cheeks.

  "Rach, are you ok? What are you doing out here it's late?" Ryan had noticed her as he was walking back from the restrooms and knew she did not need to be outside alone at 2am.

     Startled and relieved all at once, she said, "I couldn't sleep but I am ok. Go back to bed. I have been outside alone here many a night and I got this, but thank you, you can go to bed now."

      He sensed she was not being honest and decided to sit down beside her, "Well, I know you know this area way better than I do, but you know your parents will kill you if they find you out this late. So, please tell me what is going on? Did you and your sister get into it again or maybe you got into with a friend? Tell me or else I am going to have to drag your happy tail back to your cabin!"

     His words made her feel like he actually cared about her and he sat down with her when he could have just blown her off and gone to bed. Surely, he was her friend as well. She realized this was the first time they had ever been alone, other than that one time he picked her up from school two years prior and all she could do then was giggle and smile. Let's face it, it was a well known fact that Rachel had a mad puppy dog crush on Ryan; even he knew it and loved the ego boost.

 "Look, you don't have to pretend to be my friend too you know. I know I am always the silly little sister, and as Sara says you feel sorry for me. I am just so frustrated because I feel like we are friends too, yes I know it's different because I am almost 15 and not 20 like you, but you are a part of my life too. I am worried about you leaving us..." Rachel could not believe that her mouth just created those words so that he could hear them. If her sister found out she said that she would never hear the end of it. 

 Without hesitation, Ryan put his arm around her shoulders and playfully drew himself closer to her, "Rach, now you listen to me and I mean listen good. Your sister is your sister and will think what she wants. Don't ever listen to her when it comes to telling you how I think or feel. You are my Rach and I will always be here for you, ok? I do not feel sorry for you and am proud of you. You do so well in school and are more talented than I will ever be. I am kind of jealous!"

 The words painted a smile on her face that she prayed would never fade, as he continued, "And I am not dying. I am joining the navy and am a bit afraid between you and me, but I know I will be fine and will be home soon." He looked into her eyes and saw them begin to fill with tears and he could not have his Rach worrying about him. She was like his little sister too and did not want to leave her so sad. "Listen, we will keep in touch. You can write me and I will write you. Will you do that for me? That way I can keep up with the latest and not miss anything. I will write as much as I can about where I am and what's going on. You are the only one I know that will make sure to keep me in the circle, so what do you say, pen pals?" 

 With a hug to seal the deal and quick playful hand in her hair to mess it up, they walked back to the cabin and no one ever knew about that night. He may see her as a little sister but at least now she knew he was her friend as well.