The Western Front

Chapter Seven...

     The car ride home was all too short. When she pulled up to the driveway of my house, I looked at her face one more time and just soaked in every detail. The way her hair fell across her face in the wind. The way her eyes glinted with joy at her favorite songs on the radio. The way she laughed when I made jokes about the things pedestrians were doing on the street. I made sure to take it all in. She noticed my stare and looked at me.

"What are you lookin' at?" She asked with a slight giggle.

"A gorgeous woman," I replied bluntly. She blushed a deep red.

"Lying is a sin, you know that right?" She murmured as she averted my gaze.

"Baby, I'm not lying," I said and leaned in and kissed her lips softly. She kissed me back and let her delicate hand rest at the nape of my neck. 

     I let my hand fall at her waist and pulled her across the bench of plush leather into my arms and placed her on my lap. Our sweet simple kiss turned hot very quickly. I wound my arms around her waist and crushed her voluptuous body close to mine. She quietly let out a single moan in approval as she ran her fingers through my hair effectively ruining its pristine quiff. She took her hands away from my neck and reached down for the hem of my shirt and started to pull it off, but it took everything in me to break the kiss.

"Bonnie, no. It's not what you want," I whispered into her ear, out of breath from our kiss.

"Yes it is, Michael," She whispered back and I looked her straight in the eye.

"Bonnie, even if it is what you want, I don't want to have our first time in a car. Will you, at least, grant me that?" I smirked at her, hoping she'll laugh. She does and I mentally sigh in relief. 

"Michael, have you ever considered a career in law?" She asked tilting her head to the side innocently.

"No, why?" I asked.

"Because you know how to talk anyone down," She said and kissed my neck right at the jugular. I jumped slightly and she giggled.

"Bonnie, we are sitting in my driveway, I have to go inside sooner or later because I'm pretty sure my mother knows I'm home at this stage," I sighed.

"You're right. Do you want me to come in?" She asked stroking my cheek. I leaned into her palm.

"No, I'll be okay," I replied. She shifted off of my lap and started the car again. I opened the door and stood to my feet, and looked at my girlfriend through the glass and smiled and gave her a quick wave. She reciprocated the gesture and backed out of the drive, speeding off back to her house. I turned around and looked up to the sky. Maybe someone up there could help me, I don't know in what way, but I just want any help I can get. 

     I walked up to the house and opened the door and a small body shot into my arms. I stumbled back and looked into the eyes of my little sister, Darcy. She didn't say anything, she just hugged my waist and we stood there like that for a good few minutes before I had to untie her arms from behind me so I could walk farther into the house. My mother was sitting on the same chair as she did the day Dad died, and I couldn't stand there any longer. I dashed up the stairs into my room and closed the door quickly. 

     I sat on my bed and just put my head in my hands trying desperately to figure out what I was actually going to say to my mother, because not only is she reeling from my father's death, but she's also terrified about my incident and my need to go to the Navy. I guess you could say I have a death wish. Almost dying of hypothermia. Having the incessant need to want to die on the battlefield like a martyr. Little does anyone know, that I am as terrified, if not more terrified, than all of them combined. 

     There were a few knocks at my door, and I walked over to it and placed my ear against it. I heard a light breath behind the door and took a second to myself praying that it was Darcy and not my mother. I took a deep breath and opened the door to reveal my sister and I sighed again, this time, in relief. She looked me deep in the eyes and then fell into my arms. I held my sister tight and just let her cry. She was shaking from the sobs wracking her body and I picked her up bridal style, and carried her to my bed. I sat down with my back to my headboard and she crawls up into my arms and lays her head on my chest. We sit like that for a few minutes before I finally break the silence.

"What's got you so worked up, Darc?" I asked her.

"I don't want you and Mom to fight anymore," She whispers averting my gaze.

"Darcy,-" I started to explain myself.

"No, Mike, I'm sorry but I don't wanna hear your stupid arguments. I don't care anymore. Go if you want that bad. But just know, that you won't have anywhere to go if you make it back," She spat out at me.

"Wait, what do you mean?" I shot up and looked her straight in the eye.

"Mom and I were talking, and she told me that if you did actually go, you wouldn't be allowed to live in the house anymore," She said quieter this time.

"She what?" I asked again not quite comprehending what my sister just said.

"Please don't make me say it again," She sighed. 

"Mom really doesn't want me to go?" I sighed.

"No, and neither do I," She resolved.

"Darcy, this is the most important thing I will ever do," I said severely.

"Is it more important than us? Is it more important than your life?" She said a tear coming to her eyes again, and I immediately wiped them away.

"Darcy, this is gonna hurt, but yes. This is more important than my life," I replied. She started to cry, but she quickly pulled herself together before she replied in a serious tone.

"Then go. You need to do this. I want you to go and do your thing," She said to me and a massive grin came across my face. With her approval I could face anything, my mother, the Japanese, and even the Nazis. I could do it all in that moment, and in the moment I felt like I was immortal.