Behind The Uniform

I have to do this

Part 2

I have to do this

"Jamie. Look at me." Annabelle begged reaching her hands across. They had become scarred from the training that she had been doing over the last two years. I looked across to see her face free of makeup and her black hair cut into a bob. 

"I'm afraid Annabelle. You're going so far away. Who knows what's going to happen to you out there?" I looked back at the floor. This was the first time that she was going so far, so far away from me.

"I knew this was going to be hard on both of us. I don't want to leave. All these years spent at each other's side. I don't think I can get used to it. It's going to feel so different but I don't know what to do."

I stood up off the kitchen chair and stood over her. I was so much taller than her now and my hair was long and shaggy. I should have gotten it cut but I had never bothered. I liked it long when I was twenty despite how horrendous it looked back then.

"Don't go." I whispered. I had been saying this for the past month and now today was her last day. Tomorrow she would be deployed to Iraq. To be among people fighting for freedom against isis. I was afraid that she was going to die even when she was right in front of me. At least back then I had the comfort of knowing that women weren't allowed on the front line but that was all about to change.

"Jamie. I've been training for this for two years and maybe even my whole life. I want to make Megan proud so let me have this."

"I don't think Megan would want you to throw your life away." I argued, before I had wanted this for her but knowing that she was going to be taken away from me. I wasn't sure on how to handle it.

"Jamie. I have my own life. I know you're afraid but the only thing we can do is move forward and just let it happen. I'll be back soon, Christmas will be just around the corner. Devote your time to studying, don't think of me." Annabelle said touching my arm.

I kissed her on the cheek. "No. I don't think I can do that. The only thing I'll be able to think is about you. Every single day, I'll be sending you an email. I don't think there's phone service out there."

"Well we'll find out when we get there won't we?" She said with a smile. 

I nodded and looked outside at the rain pounding against the window. It was a calm evening. Whenever Annabelle was around it felt calm. However that calmness would leave only to be replaced by torrent. How could I last to Christmas? Every day we had spent with each other somewhat over the last few years. I didn't want her to go. 

"You get some money saved up from your part time job and when I get back we can look at flats, we can't live in your house forever." Annabelle said changing the subject, she wanted to get it off her. 

"That part time job drives me insane. I have had enough of filling shelves for one day but I guess it pays the bills."

"Just think, next year you'll be on placement and doing what Teal does. You can meet people and can help them, just like I'm trying to help this people in Iraq."

"It's a different sort of helping though isn't it?" I muttered. I suddenly heard the front door and in came Teal with two bags of shopping. She put it on the side and began to get some things out of the bag. Annabelle began to get some out and I decided to help.

"You shouldn't be carrying heavy bags around Teal." Annabelle said putting some juice in the fridge. 

"I'm pregnant, it doesn't mean that I'm incapable of doing anything." Teal replied walking around the corner, her huge belly was swelling and she looked like she was going to pop.