Army Strong

11)Never the same

When that time out they gave ended, we went back but we were never the same. Thankfully, I wasn't kicked out but our squad, me, Mike, Carl and Samuel were never the same. We couldn't even look at each other. Sargent tried multiple times to put us together in the same team but it just didn't work. We were always last and eventually someone would start a fight. It was just a mess. I was top of my class, except when I was with them.

They only allowed us to go home after a whole month there. I loved being at home, don't get me wrong. I love my mom with all my heart. I love my friends but it's just not for me.

-Ellie, darling, go get me some cereal please.-My mom had managed to take me to the supermarket with her. I always hated it!

-Sure...-I took the cart with me and dragged myself across the supermarket. Once you get used to a certain lifestyle, to a certain level of adrenaline, it's so hard to go back to the same old routine. I was standing there, looking at all different packages, thinking to myself what the fuck was I supposed to take.

-Ellie!-My mom called from the end of the corridor. I looked at her.-What the hell are you doing?!-She laughed. I still had my uniform on.

-I don't know what you want... This is all the same for me. I mean, whatever you buy, I'll eat. It doesn't really matter...-I told her, frustrated.

-Oh, Ellie...-She grabbed the cheapest ones and threw it in the cart.-Done!-She was gonna leave but I grabbed her arm and looked her in the eyes, serious.-What?-Her smile faded.

-Why those?-I grabbed them and put them back in their place.

-I thought you said it didn't matter!-She laughed

-It doesn't. You can choose whatever you want.

-Ellie! What the hell?!-She laughed harder.

-I'm outta here...-I turned my back on her and waited outside. I had a smoke and as I saw her about to pay, I ran inside and gave my credit card to the cashier.-I got it, mom. The car's parked outside. You can start putting our stuff there.-The lady turned the electronic devise to me and I inserted my pin.

-You don't have to pay for that, Ellie!-My mom said, mad. I didn't answer. I just put my card back in my pants, grabbed our things and left.-Ellie!-I ignored her again. She called my name a million times while I was putting our things in the car.-I'm talking with you, Ellie!-I opened the door for her.

-Get in. I'm driving.-She looked at me confused and did as I said. I got in the driver's sit and sighted.-Mom, we don't have to go for the cheapest anymore.-I started the car and drove.-It's over. I work now. I've got a job and I get paid decently. We can buy what we really like now! I'm sick of seeing you always searching for the cheapest. It doesn't matter the price. If you like it, take it or don't bring me shopping with you anymore.-I told her, dead calm.

-Elizabeth, you have a job! You're not rich!

-I don't need to be rich to buy what I want. It's all under control, mom. I just wanna give you the kind of life you should've had ever since the beginning. I'm comfortable, financially.

-You're way too comfortable, I see!-She crossed her arms.

-I bought you something...

-Oh, goddammit, Ellie! You should be saving the money!-I opened the gloves' box as she complained.

-It's in there...-She looked at me with that mad look, moms' typical, and then shoved her hand inside it. She grabbed it and pulled it out. It was a beautiful golden necklace with a small diamond in the middle. She was speechless for a while.-Happy birthday...-I giggled.

-It's not my birthday yet...-She looked at me confused.

-I didn't give you anything last year...-I looked at her and laughed.

-Ellie!-She hit me in the arm. I faked a scream in pain

-Mom!-I laughed.-Stop assaulting me!

-How much was it?

-It doesn't matter... Like I said, I'm comfortable.-She kept complaining. I parked the car and took us home.-Don't bother making dinner. I got us a reservation.

-ELLIE!-She screamed as I left the house running.

-Be nice! I'll come get you at 8!-I closed the door before she could argue. I then went to meet my friends.-What's up?!!-I hugged them. They screamed and congratulated me.

-That uniform looks great on you!-Louise, my girl told me as she handed me one glass of Vodka.

-Oh girl... I got here around lunch time today and I just didn't have time to take it off. My mom forced me into the supermarket!-She started laughing right away.-Yes, the fucking supermarket!

-Ellie, how is it around there?-One of the boys asked me. I looked at him and then broke down laughing.

I spent the rest of the afternoon telling them about the army, about the exercises and just catching up with them. It was always a nice time around them. We drank some beers and laughed ourselves to tears, mostly them laughing about my misery.

-It's not funny!-I told them, also laughing.-He literally shoved my face in the mud!-They laughed even harder.-And the worst part about it... Oh man...-They were literally crying already.-No, wait! At night when I went for my shower, I had mud in places I didn't even know I had! And yes, Louise, down there too! It was everywhere! Even in my teeth!-They laughed so hard, one of them even kicked the table, almost throwing it to the floor.-It's not funny!!-I couldn't help but laugh too.

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-Damn, mom!-I whistled at her.-Is all that yours?! Damn! Fireeee!-I joked as my mom got out of her room with a beautiful, fancy black dress. She was indeed beautiful.

-Aww, thank you, darling.-She smiled. I was just wearing a simple pair of jeans and a sweater. She looked at my clothes. I looked at her, then down and then back at her.

-Should I...?-I pointed at my bedroom.

-Let's go!-She laughed. I smiled and followed her.

We were sitting quietly in a corner. Our food hadn't been served yet. We were just talking. She was asking me about my goals, what I'd do after finishing my recruit. I was telling her about maybe coming out and becoming a member of the Swat team, when it all went down...