Marine Baby

Prologue

Marine Baby

Prologue

"Sergeant Jones, may I see you in my office."

"Sure sir."

As I am walking in to my commanding officer's office I am going through the events of today and yesterday to make sure I didn't do anything wrong. What in the world could I have done... I really don't remember something that would require him to talk to me.

"Sir, you wanted to see me?"

"Jones have a seat"

Oh this is so not good! What did I do? What did I do?

"Jones, your leave is coming up and I want you to go home. The place you grew up, not the little apartment on base."

"Sir? Why is there something wrong?" He knows I hate going "home" which is why every leave since I have joined the Marine Corps I have avoided it at all cost. I like my little apartment here in North Carolina, not the so called house I grew up in Montana. Montana is gorgeous, don't get me wrong, but it never felt like home which is why I am here... a dedicated Marine and have been for 3 years. I have been deployed twice so far and will be deployed again in three months, hence the leave I have coming up. But why is he trying to get me to go home?

"Jones, you have been deployed twice with no family contact, if something happens don't you think you owe it to your family to visit at least once before your next deployment? I know you don't have a lot of family, but your dad is there and I know how much you miss him. For your own piece of mind before deployment go visit, just for a week maybe two."

"Is that an order sir?" I really don't want to go but to see my dad would be worth it I guess. What a low blow sir.

"No Jones not an order a request from someone who cares for you as a daughter." I can see that he means it as he stares me down. He is trying to get a read on how I am feeling, well good luck Sir, not happening!

"Thank you, sir. I will think about it. I appreciate it."

"Jones"

Oh boy, he didn't like that. I can see it on his face. "Sir?"

"I already bought your tickets and you leave in the morning. Go pack your things. You will be there for a month."

"Yes sir. Thank you" I hold my head up high like a Marine should even though I am screaming inside that I don't know if I can go through with this. But then I think of my dad and I do miss him terribly. Okay I can do this. I will just keep chanting to myself over and over again.

As I am leaving my CO's office he calls me one last time, to inform me my partner in crime is coming along with me, Ryan. I know why he is sending Ryan. He wants to make sure I go and visit as requested. Sneaky bugger. Ryan will make sure of it. He always has my best interest at heart I know that but I wish he would have stepped out of this one thing, for me. O well what am I going to do? Nothing, go to the apartment and pack.

I can't wait and see what this visit will be like. I haven't been home in over three years. I wonder if anything has changed. I know I have that shy, average girl is not here anymore. Instead they are going to see a confident, strong, beautiful US Marine woman. And I don't crap from anyone. I won't be bullied anymore. Boy do I hope they are ready.