Here Comes The Rain Again (Old Title "If I Fall")

Chapter One

Four Years Later…

Fort Myers Military Base, Virginia

The loud voice of one of the Drill Sergeant woke the entire barracks up for 0-600 roll call.  I jumped out of bed to dress and make my bunk. We were given exactly fifteen minutes before the Sergeant returned to hand out the daily assignments and allow us to head off to breakfast.

As I stood at attention at the end of my bunk while the Sergeant made his way down the line I could not help but feel both excitement and sadness at the same time. I had gotten so use to this same routine over the past four years.

“At easy ladies, as I have one last item.” The entire room took an easier stands before the Sergeant continued. I already knew what his announcement was going to be, since I had found out last week, but had not told anyone. “Today will be Corporal Reed’s last day with us. I know we wish him all the best in his future. Troop dismissed.”

I knew nothing would be said until the Sergeant left, so I tried to gather my hat and make it out the door behind me. But as I reached them I was immediately blocked by four large bodies.

“Where do you think you are going?” Private Young, one of my bunk mates asked. I have known Michael Young since he joined just over two years ago right out of high school like me. He had weighted all of a hundred pounds when wet back then, but now was at least two-thirty and could even take me on a bad day.

“If you men don’t mind, I am heading to eat before I have to meet with Sergeant Wilkes to give my recommendations on who should be your new Corporal after I leave.”

“Just answer us one question then Corporal. Why wasn’t it you making the announcement? I mean we are your troop and even some of us are your friends, at least we thought we were.”

Friends, something I have tried to avoid over the years. I was no one’s friend, not since I lost the two most important ones in my life all those years ago...

“Josh, where are you going?” Emily asked me as I tossed my duffle bag through the open passenger window of my car before walking over to the other side opening the driver door.

“I can’t do this anymore Em. I can’t stay here and act like everything is going to be alright again. My parents are gone, your parents are gone and in some way Ryan is gone. I just need to get out of here and forget about everything.” I got into the car and started the engine just as Emily leaned over through the window I had tossed my bag through moments ago.

“Fine leave then, but can I ask you for one thing?” I couldn’t look over at her and see the tears running down her face that I knew where there, so I just nodded while looking straight out of the windshield. “Don’t forget me.”

I nodded one last time as I put my car into drive knowing that there was no coming back after this.

“Josh!” I heard Mike yell my name pulling me from my memories.

“Yeah,” I responded and noticed that it was now just the two of us left in the barracks. I guess everyone else headed off to eat.

“You okay man?” Mike asked.

“Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind, especially about returning home.”

“Are you worried about facing everyone or seeing her again?”

Mike was the only one who knew about my past and the real reason I joined the Army. I guess you could say he was the closest thing to a friend I did have. And he was the only person who knew about Emily and my true feeling for her.