Through Thick and Thin.

Just Great

I took one last look in the mirror. I smiled because I was pleased with how I looked. "Where are you going?" I heard a deep voice mumble as my door creaked open. "Out" was all I said. "Simone." my father said sternly. "Where are you going, I asked" he growled. "why does it suddenly matter where I'm going now? Huh dad? Because before, you never gave a damn about me." i said. "Oh really Simone? I do give a damn about you. I always have! " he yelled. I rolled my eyes. Yeah sure. I walked past him and headed downstairs. He followed behind me. "Don't you have a secretary to call? Or sleep with?" I said under my breath. He must have heard me because he gasped and went silent. I walked out of the door and down to the park where I met my sweet boyfriend Dom waiting for me. "Hi honey." he said pulling me into a big hug. I tip toed and gave him and small kiss on the lips. No matter how many times I've kissed him already, every time I did I got butterflies. "Let's go." he said as he pulled me to his car. "where are you taking me?" I asked. "You'll see" he said winking at me. We were driving for about 15 minutes when we pulled up to what seemed to be a beach. We got out and walked barefeet in the sand, hand in hand. The sun was near setting and the sky was a beautiful orange. We came upon a small tent. Outside were logs, chairs, beach towels, drinks, food and a small fire. It was the cutest thing ever. "Awww Dom. This is so cute and thoughtful" I said pulling him in for a hug. He just gave me a dazzling smile. We sat down in the chairs, sipping on some iced tea he made and sharing memories. Today had made seven months since we started dating. "Oh man, I forgot the present in the car. I'll be right back" he said before running back to the car. As if in timing his phone rang off. "Dom" i yelled but he codn't hear me. I decided to answer it for him. "Hello?" i said. "Yes, is this Mr. McCall?" a deep voice asked. "No, this is his girlfriend. How may I help you?" I asked. "I am General Carter from the US army. Just tell him that I will call him back" he said. General Carter from the US army? Why is he calling Dom? "Hey baby, I have a surprise" Dom exclaimed. He shoved a small box in my hand. "Aww Dom you shouldn't have." "Open it" he said excitedly. I slowly opened the box. Inside was the most beautiful bracelet I had ever seen. It was silver and diamond encrusted. "Oh my God, Dom. This is the most beautiful bracelet I have ever seen. Thank you so much baby." I said. "Try it on love" he said. I put it on. It was insanely beautiful. The night went on, full of laughs and love making. "Dom.." i started. "Someone by the name of General Carter called your phone earlier tonight. He said he was from the US army. Why was he calling you?" I questioned. Dom sighed and put his hands over his face. "Ugh,Simone." he said. "Is there something you're not telling me Dom?" I asked. "General Carter called my phone because..." he started. "Because?" I asked expecting him to finish what he was saying. " I signed up for the army..." he said, almost in a whisper. "What?!?!" I yelled. " See, this is why i didn't tell you. I signed up and they accepted me Simone." "So when were you planning on telling me this Dominic? Were you even planning on telling me? You were just going to leave and not say anythong to your girlfriend ?" "Simone you know it's not like that. I was going to tell you, I just didn't know when because i knew it would break your heart. I'm so sorry Simone. I really am." he said trying to pull my hand. I yanked it away. "Why would you join the army Dominic? Why would you put your life at risk like that? Where is our relationship going to go from there? Did you think about any of this?" i yelled, tears beginning to flow. "I'm sorry Simone but joining the army has always been my dream. You just can't stop me from fulfilling that." he said. I knew he was right. I sighed. "You're right. I shouldn't try to stop you from fulfilling your dreams." He hugged me. "Simone, don't worey your sweet head. Everything will be fine." he said assuring me. I gave a small smile and nodded.

Dom dropped me home early the next morning. I quietly walked upstairs. I know he told me not to worry but I just couldn't help it. Dom was joining the army. He was leaving me. He could die. They were all thoughts that floated around in my mind. I felt tears slip down my cheeks. Dom was all I really had. I didn't even have Aleacha anymore. After her mother found out about my dad catching me and Dom having sex she forbidded her from seeing me. I pressed my face against my pillow and screamed. My family didn't understand me, I had no friends and now I was going to lose the only person who was there for me. There was a small knock on my door. "Go away" I cried. I heard my room door slowly creak open. "Are you crying Simone?" she asked softly. "Does it matter?" I asked, sniffing. She sat down on my bed. "Now honey you know that you can talk to me about anything. What's wrong?" she asked. I sat up, contemplating whether I should tell her or not. "Mom, Dom is leaving next month." i started. "Leaving? Where is he going?" she asked. "He's leaving to join the army after graduation , mom." I said as I began crying hysterically. "I know it's his dream and I shouldn't hold him back from achieving it but what about me, mom? How will I make it without him? He's all I have." I cried. My mother rubbed my back. "Honey, I know it's hard but you'll have to live with it. Stop crying and cheer up sweety. If you and Dominic love each other, love will find a way. " She was right. If it was meant to be, it will be. I gave her a small smile and wiped the last of my tears away. My mom spent the rest of the evening in my room. She brought me ice cream and oreos and we watched old family videos. I realized that I wasn't the only one who was going through. My mom was dealing with marrital issues. I always admired her because no matter how bad of a situation she was in she always stayed positive.