Pen Pals

'Merica! : Part One

(Not edited, at all...)

Finn Sinclair

"Yo, you comin' Sinclair?" My bunk-mate, Faye, asks. Our free block had just started, him and a few other cadets from our company are going for drinks off campus. Since it's the fourth of July weekend we get to go home if we want too, now all I gotta do send my letter to Penn saying I'm on my way. I know mom would want me to visit her first, plus I'm sure Penn would want a heads up. 

"I can't right now guys, I got some important stuff to take care of." I wave them off, holding the envelope in my hand. I head over to my bunk first to check my bags and get my stamps. Seeing the familiar barrack in sight my heartbeat speeds up with anticipation. The smell of feet and musk fills my nose as it has for the past year or so. Walking down the rows of bunks until I reach mine, I see about half of the company has already packed their bags. Out of the corner of my eye I see Srgt. Charles talking with Private James, another cadet in my company. I didn't think much of it as my mind was preoccupied with a few people's faces. One of them belonging what my mom's face is going to look like when she see's I'm home, and the other face being overpowered by indelible blonde curls. My face probably looks stupid while I have this goofy grin plastered on my face.  Searching through my bag I finally find my stamp sheet, I make a mental note to replenish my stash of that have receded to only two left. I quickly place the stamps on my letters to mom and Penn and make my way towards the campus post office. 

All over campus I see cadets leaving, relatives waiting for their family to finish packing, and on the other side of camp I can still see a company marching across the field. I guess not everyone gets to go home. Shrugging off the matter I open the glass doors of the post office. My eyes wander over the walls that are covered with letter-filled cubbies. Behind the front desk sat Gregorio, the elderly man who runs this place. My mind flashes back to one of Penn's letters where she said Gregorio was like my version of Sal. I clear my throat to get Gregorio's attention away from the newspaper he has in his hands. 

"Oh, it's Finn." He says putting down his paper slowly. He waddles toward me with his signature shaky smile. "Got another letter?" He says knowingly, bringing his hand to the envelopes I was happy to hand over. "Yup, I get to go home today. I gotta few stops to make this weekend." I smile at him. There was a small pause. "One of these days you gotta let me meet her." He says putting the letters into a box that says 'Outgoing Express'.  I'm caught off guard by his assumption that I write to a woman, even if he wasn't wrong. "Her?" I repeat questioningly. "Oh don't play dumb with me boy, I know that look. You got yourself whipped, I had that same look once." I was about to ask him to elaborate when my Company Commander comes in. "Sinclair, I need to talk to ya real quick." Holding the door open for me to follow him outside. I nod a goodbye at Greg before I follow after my commander. 

"Yes Sir?" 

"Finn, let's drop the formalities for a moment. I'm talking to you as a friend not as your superior." With a slight nod he continues. "I'm aware of your pre-piloting training you received over in California. It has come to my attention that a Private James has left the program momentarily for, personal reasons." 

"Alright, where does that leave me?" I ask  "Well, I am giving you an opportunity to rank up. I think we could use your skills more than your current status gives you credit for." My face instantly lights up. "Are you serious? Of course! What do I have to do?"  

"Glad to hear your up for the task, son! Meet me at the flag pole tomorrow morning, Corporal." He winks and walks off.  I can't believe I just got promoted! Man this is just what I needed, now I can do so much more. Wait... Did he say tomorrow morning? My bus leaves tonight. I call out to Commander Rodriguez, "Tomorrow  morning?"