My parents stood with their backs to us. Marie and I walked to the table as quiet as we could. I sat down and pulled out my iPod. I logged onto my blog. I sighed in relief as I saw the familiar background page of horses. I began to write my post. "Oh boy. Dose it ever end? Found out dad has to be deployed. Again. Joy. I'm not happy but I guess that's the price I pay. Horses are doing well. Amethyst is due to foal any day now. It's just the old fashioned waiting game now. I gotta go. My parents need to talk to me. I will keep everyone posted on how Amethyst is doing. Bye everyone." I finished my post and hit the send button. I logged out, shut off the app, and locked my iPod. I slipped it into my pocket and looked at my parents. They still had their backs to me. Tazz, our 1 year old black lab, was laying at Marie's feet.
My mother turned around. "Clara? Why are you so upset? what did I do to you to get you to treat me like this?" She asked me.
"You didn't do anything. I'm not mad at you," I started softly. "I'm mad at him." I said. My voice hardening. "He lied to us. He said that he wasn't gonna leave. Well he is."
"Damn it Clara!" he slammed his fist on the table. "If only you understood why I do what I do! I do this so that our country can sleep in peace and not worry about what phsyco is Going to bomb us! I know that all you want is for me to be here with you. I want that too but it's not a choice I have. I swore that I would serve at least 10 years in the army. This is my tenth year. When New Years comes, I'm free to do as I please. I could reenlist or I could stay home. I plan to stay home. I will be back in 6 months time. You'll see. I leave Saturday at 9:00am." He turned and walked away.
I looked to my mother for some help but didn't get any. Why is it that the minute I'm happy, the universe has to screw it up?
