Escaping RiverCreek

Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Cory's Decision

Rather than drive to school the next day, Cory takes off to St. Paul, convinced he's making the right decision for his child and Tara.

"I got myself into this. I can fix this one myself."

Gulping forcefully, he pulls himself from his car and heads into the recruitment office.

"Morning, young man. What can the United States Army do for you?"

Wiping his feet on the mat, he tries to speak clearly.

"I, uh, found out I'm going to be a dad, and I want to provide for my child and my child's mom."

After he listens to Cory's opening remark, the recruiter introduces himself.

"Well, I'm Staff Sergeant Porter. You made the correct decision coming to talk to us. We'll make a real man out of you, one your child can be proud of in these dangerous times—since the September 11attacks. Let me ask you, son, any special skills or talents the army can use in a young man like yourself?"

In the seat at the edge of the desk, Cory brings up the online form.

"Well, I put all that in the online form last night."

The recruiter laughs. "Those go to a centralized location. We hardly ever see them. So what did you put on there for your preference?"

"Surgeon assistant. I'm already studying surgical technology now. I'll be certified in January and finished with my core classes with school."

As Sgt. Porter writes it all down, he begins his recruitment speech. "Well, first, I need your name, social insurance number, age, and any legal issues you might have. We'll get you scheduled for the ASVAB test, and then we'll ship you off to the Military Entrance Processing Station, or MEPS, where you will have every opportunity to select that dream job. Plus, we also offer regent opportunities to earn your degree to become an officer, to earn even more money."

The fact he can still earn his college degree makes Cory eager for the chance to join.

"I'm, Cory Dubois. I just turned eighteen not long ago, and there are no issues. My mother is a sheriff in RiverCreek. They don't know that I'm here."

Writing everything down on his notepad, Sgt. Porter assures Cory his secret will be safe.

"I won't say a thing to anyone. You're of legal age, and hey, you want to provide for your old lady and unborn child. I can respect that; I have three of my own, and they're a treasure. Tell ya what—write down your social security number for me and we'll get you into the system. Come back up here in two weeks, and we'll get your test out of the way."

Cory agrees to the date, extending his hand. "Sounds good. I'll see you then, sir."

He gets up and is about to walk out when he stops and picks up almost one of every pamphlet near the door.

"Oh, yes, certainly, take all those you want and read them over. I'll see what I can do about getting you into the medical job you want. Not too many apply for that or have an idea of what they wanna do before they talk to the job specialist."

Cory develops a smirk that his recruiter doesn't see when he walks out the door. "Good, I'm not giving up too much. Guess it's time to get to class."

Cory drives just over the speed limit to make it to school before lunch.

Pulling into his parking spot, he goes into the votec building and down to the lunchroom, where he sees Tara sitting alone.

"Hey, lady, how you feeling today?" He takes his seat with a Pepsi Blue in his hands.