Terminal 1

Worth the Wait

Two weeks later...
AirForce Base
San Antonio, Texas

"Wow!" "I know right." "This is neoicccee." Fatima chuckles. "I know right." she agreed, looking around at all the military artifacts as they made their way to the seating area for the ceremony. "I can't wait to see him." She utters, with her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't help the excitement and nervousness she felt all in one.

For 8 weeks, with the exception of a day, she hadn't seen Zac's face nor felt his touch.

Then after their FaceTime call, the longing for him grew. Sadly, when everything happened he missed a day which turned into another week to make up for lost training.

Although Zac hated it, he sucked it up and proved himself to be a true soldier. Showing his commanding officer and his sergeant, he was/is the man that deserved to be a soldier. One of integrity, courage, accountability, fight, and honor.

However he knew telling Fatima was going to be the hardest thing, considering the last time they spoke he only had a week left. And when he did it wasn't the best of their 30 second conversations.

"What the hell Zac?" "I know Mamas, but I don't have time to explain." "Well somebody better tell me something. You said a week..." "I gotta go but call Naomi, she can explain..." "Yeah whatever." "Fatima, please don't do that..." Fatima huffs. "I get your frustration Mamas, I do but I only got 10 seconds" he spoke fast. "I love you..." "I love you too..." she murmurs, hearing the line click.

3 hours later, from that....

Phone ringing...

"Naomi Campbell speaking..." she answered, in a rush.

"Uh. Hello." "Hello." "My name is Fatima Taylor. You helped my husband Zachary Taylor on the AirForce rape case." "Oh yes. Hello." "Hello." Fatima replied.

"How can I help you?" Naomi asked. Having a seat at her desk, after just coming back from court.

"I just spoke to Zac and he told me to call you..." "Ok." "Well first I wanna thank you for helping him out of that case. You have no idea how much I or we appreciated it." "It really was no trouble at all Mrs. Taylor. But what's the nature of this call?" She asked, trying her best to be as polite as possible but wanting her to get to the point.

"A couple of hours ago," she sighs, "Zac told me he has to do another week of training and I just want some clarification because..." "You miss your man?" "Yes..." "That's to be expected." Naomi said. "To be honest Fatima, the only reason Zac had to do another week was because of the day he missed during that whole ordeal." "But it was only a day." "True but in the military, that one day, holds weight, especially in basic training."

"I guess." "It's gonna be ok." "Why does everyone keep telling me that? It's not ok. I'm not ok..." she trailed off.

"Well leave." Naomi shrugged, "Excuse me." "If you can't handle being a service man's wife, then leave." Naomi repeated.

Fatima was gobsmacked and confused. She didn't know whether she wanted to go off or keep her cool, "Naomi, I'm trying my best to remain professional..." "Fatima," Naomi interrupted, "I get it ok." She said, "And what I just said may not have been professional but it was honest." "A little too fucking honest." "True, but I wouldn't be me if I didn't say it." She retorted.