Soldier Boy

06

Cameron's POV

May 23, 2004

When I had first gotten the call from Corporal Marston to report to base at 0500 in the morning, I'd been hesitant with my response. This heavy weight had been placed on my shoulders and I knew there wasn't anything I could do to remove it.

"But sir, it's my graduation. My mom's family just flew in from Washington and they wanted to see me before I had to leave for basic," I said.

He sighed into the speaker. Mom sat on the couch with tears in her eyes. Grandma Junie and my aunts and uncles listened solemnly.

"We're short handed on our trained guys. Newbies are getting the special treatment. You should consider this one for the books. Langford, either you show up in the morning to go fight for our country, or you'll be forced to turn in your uniform. Understand?" He demanded.

I sighed and closed my eyes, taking a deep breath before responding. "Yes, sir, corporal. I'll be there."

"Good. Oh, and congratulations on your graduation." Then he hung up.

Julie walked in from the bathroom with a confused look on her face. "What's wrong?" She asked.

"I'm going to be deployed in the morning, that's what's wrong. Look, while I'm gone, keep your sights on school, your grades, and take care of mom, okay?"

Julie stepped back from the couch she was sitting on and looked around at our family members and then finally at me. She leaned up against the wall as a tear trickled down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away and nodded. "Yeah, whatever. Don't get killed, 'kay?"

I smiled and hugged her. "You're the man of the house now."

She laughed and ruffled my hair.

"I'll do my duty with pride and dignity."

A few minutes later, I drove over to the farmhouse and knocked on the Pompeya family's front door.

Sonia and Timothy greeted me as I entered their house, showering me with hugs and well wishes for my future.

"You look well," Timothy commented.

"He looks handsome and well," Sonia corrected.

Nathan came bouncing down the stairs and hugged me. "Glad you could make it to your own party."

I scoffed and my eyes landed on Carissa. She smoothed her hair down and placed her hands by her side as she walked down the stairs.

"Cissy," I said. Her smile reached her eyes as she looked over at me.

"Hey," she whispered. She couldn't look me in the eye. But I could. I couldn't take my eyes off her.

"I hope I'm not too overdressed," she said to her mother. Sonia kissed her daughter's head and smiled.

"You look lovely," I said. She smiled softly at me and Sonia chuckled.

"For an occasion such as this?" Gavin said, his eyes glimmering over with delight as he spotted Nicole Seymour, the volleyball captain, sitting on the piano bench, her hands brushing the keys lightly. "Excuse me. I see opportunity."

Sonia clapped her hands together and asked, "Where's your mother? I usually don't like to get parties started without her."

"She had to go to the store and pick up my cake. She forgot it earlier. She'll be here, though."