The Marine

Spartan and the Commotion

          After all those events, being home was very comforting... not worrying about being ambushed, not watching your fellow brothers fall, or even those late-night missions... Don't get me wrong.. I enjoy what I do, but sometimes we need a break if we don't then we would probably go insane.  I was in the middle of taking a shower when I was drifting into my own world...my thoughts were consuming me, until I heard a loud bang on the door, following with "HURRY THE HELL UP!!!"  I sighed and finished...

          I got out and there stood Kevin, he said: "Finally, you take forever!" I said, "Sorry, I used to take short ones in Iraq, thought I can take a longer one here since I'm home.."  Kevin said "Sorry man, next shower you can, I have to go back soon" I nodded and went to my room to change... Thinking about it...what am I going to do when I am at home...I mean Kev and Matt are heading back to college, plus they have work too... so they won't be here... Mom is busy and so is Dad... I sat in my bed and put my face in my hands... I looked around my room..taking in every detail... I got up and walked downstairs... I believe my parents are in the office so I made my way there... Before entering I heard them talking about me...

            Mom "Hun, what are we going to do?"  Dad said "About?"   Mom said "Drake... He has been moping around ever since he came home"  Dad sighed and said, "Hun, you watched didn't you..how could he not be moping around after that.."   She said "I know..I mean I don't understand, but wouldn't you think he shows more expression... like before"  Dad "Dear, let's not talk about him ok..aren't you glad he is home at least... I am grateful he made it home...He is still our son, and he is a great marine"  Mom "I am glad...He is my baby...but he is going to be home by himself..doing what?"  Dad sighed and said "Susie goddamnit, stop..let him be home and fucking relax"  

           My fists were clenched and so was my jaw, I didn't notice until I stopped eavesdropping and looked behind me... Kev was there staring at the door.. he saw my expression and said: "Drake, you know mom, she worries.."  I nodded while walking outside... I need fresh air, I need some badly... I laughed to myself... She was right, I was moping, but does it really matter if I am?  What I have been through, how could I just forget about it... While walking I noticed a lot of people walking their dogs or walking with each other.. I just got an idea...Why not get a dog,  it will help my boredom... I went home and without saying anything, I took the keys and went to a shelter... I mean I am not getting a puppy since I will be leaving soon, I will just adopt one from the shelter... 

            I got to the Shelter and asked about adopting a dog and did all the paperwork...I went to check out the dogs to see the one I would want to adopt... I wanted a big dog, so the small ones were out of the picture...There were a lot of dogs here..some caught my attention but I kept searching... I then spotted one, he was the in a corner, he was the quietest one here, and he wasn't old, he looked young... He was all black except for some white patches... He had blue eyes and resembled a German Shepard, but he wasn't a full one... I smiled and said "Hey there..."  He actually walked closer to the fence and I poked my finger in there to pet him....he seemed to enjoy it... I said "I think I want you..would you want to come home with me"  He barked and I laughed and said, "Ok, I will be back..."  I left to tell the lady which I dog I chose and she was shocked and said "You mean Spartan? He actually likes you..wow what A day, he usually growls at everyone...he was adopted 3 times, but always sent back because he wasn't nice to the family...Goodluck"  I laughed and said "Thanks"  I filled out everything I need to do to bring him home... The lady brought him out and once he saw me, he started wagging his tail... I said "Spartan, come here boy"  He ran to me and licked my cheek... The lady looked shocked... I said my bye and we left... We went into Petco and he behaved nicely...  

               Once we got home, I said to him "Spartan, my family is in there, and I need you to be nice to them so I can keep you ok?"  He barked and I opened the door for him to get out and I brought everything I bought inside... My parents were shocked but enjoyed there being a dog... I put his collar on and let him outside to go to the bathroom... I filled his bowl with food and water and I heard him barking to let back in... I know what your thinking...he could have run away, but I trust him and he trusts me... Even in this short time of meeting him...