Saving Andrew

Chapter 4

Chapter 4
Tapered: Andrew's journey

                                                  Although is Maya who's telling this story, in this chapter I will be giving my point of view. I wanted to share this part because is my story to tell. So, without any time to lose, here we go.

As you know, my name is Andrew Joseph Baker, and I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado on August 10th 1972. Despite the absence of my father, who was deployed to Vietnam when I was just two years old, my mother made sure my childhood was filled with fun memories. She would let my brothers and me, ride on the back of her station wagon after going grocery shopping and let us play wrestle in the backyard while she cooked for us.

When I turned six, my father surprised us by coming back home. However, I was saddened to learn that my Uncle Tom didn't return with him. To ease the impact of the news, my father explained that Uncle Tom had gone to explore other worlds, and even though I was young, I understood what happened to him. Despite the challenges we faced, my mother and father did everything in their power to keep us happy.

When I turned 12, my brothers Jason and Jeremy left for college and left behind their album collection. I took the opportunity to explore their room and ended up listening to every record in the house by the end of the year. Through this experience, I discovered incredible bands from that period and adopted the rebellious attitudes of the rock stars as my own. This helped me stand out, and I soon became known as the coolest kid in school.

During my sophomore year of high school, I met Sam and Josh, who quickly became my closest companions. Together, we shared some of the most unforgettable moments of my teenage years. Then, as the football team quarterback, I was a popular figure at school turning me into the class president. I was also dating the most sought-after girl in town, and eventually, I was crowned king of the senior prom.

Fast forward a few years, and I was a college graduate, newlywed to Alice Clark, my high school sweetheart, and despite our families' objections, we embarked on a five-year journey of exploration, traveling to different parts of the world and cherishing our childless marriage. While I had always wanted to start a family, we agreed that there was still plenty of time for that.

In 2001, the world was shaken by the catastrophic events of 9/11, particularly in the United States, becoming a defining moment for many, and for me, it was a call to action - to serve my country. I joined the Army one day, but my decision caused a huge argument with my wife, who identified as a pacifist and felt conflicted by my choice.

"You know, it's not in my nature to condone war, but what's done is done," said Alice, her voice cracking with a mix of rage and sadness, yet she avoided making eye contact with me.

"I only did what I believed was right. My father taught me that," I replied, my tone hushed, also avoiding direct eye contact, as I attempted to comprehend her pain while hoping she might understand mine.

A profound silence enveloped our bedroom as I pondered my decision. For hours, we remained seated, motionless, and unable to articulate our thoughts. Our unspoken conversation lingered heavily in the air. Time passed slowly within those four walls. Alice lay on the bed with her back to me, but I could sense she wasn't asleep. The faint sound of her sniffles betrayed her silent tears. Meanwhile, I sat beside her, gazing out the window, observing the dawn unfold with a newfound sense of magic, yet its tranquility tinged with a somber undertone.

The day before departing, I spent the entire evening riding my motorbike, seeking solace and clarity amidst the uncertainty of my future. With Alice embraced against my waist, we embarked on one last adventure together, but it lacked the same spark as before. In a desperate attempt to reignite our passion, we made love with a fervor that echoed our past, yet as the night wore on, I realized that something fundamental had shifted between us. After our bodies had intertwined in a whirlwind of desire, she turned away from me, retreating into sleep, leaving me adrift in a sea of conflicting emotions and unanswered questions.