The Marine

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     So I'm on a plane on my way back home, kind of nervous as hell since everyone saw me in that mission..... I wonder what people would do or even say to me... I looked around me everyone was sleeping... I can't sleep...ever since that mission, it haunts me in a way... but I am doing fine. Meat woke up and looked around and noticed me staring out of the window... He said: You get any sleep?" I just shook my head no... I then came to the conclusion "My family is not going to be very happy with me... but they can't complain I had to do what I needed to do."  Meat just shook his head and said: "Man...after seeing you on that table losing so much blood I was about to book a plane ride right back to Iraq to help your ass..." I looked at him and said, "Thanks man that means a lot to me!"  We did our handshake and I said "We are almost home... to tell you the truth Meat, I am nervous... I was thinking about how people would react or what they would be asking me? How do I even answer?" I looked at him and he was starring at his shoes.. took him a while to reply but when he did, he looked up at me and said: "Brother, my opinion don't say anything, I know you wanna Drake, but what you did and seen you shouldn't be saying anything." I looked at him and then away to the window, I said "Yea, you are right Mark, I should not say anything" I was still looking away and I felt tears in my eyes because I know my family would want to know what happen... Meat put his hand on my shoulder and said: "Aye bro, you ok?" I just gave a nod... 

3 hours later..

   We finally landed, I  was attached to my seat... I couldn't get up... I just sat there not knowing what to do or not wanting to get up... I was excited to be home... trust me I am.....Dash said "Rex let's get up... Meat and I are right beside you.."  I nodded and got up and grabbed my things and walked out of the plane and into the terminal...We came to the end of the terminal and waiting there were a lot of people... I just stopped and stared at them all... Some had huge banners saying "WELCOME HOME DRAKE MATHEWS!! and others said "WE LOVE YOU DRAKE!!... I just stood and then a huge smiled came upon my face... I waved at them and yelled "THANK YOU!! I LOVE YOU TOO!!! IT'S GREAT TO BE HOME!!!" I smiled but it was forced...I feel that Meat and Dash knew I was getting uncomfortable so they pushed me to keep walking....while we were walking people were taking pictures...and there were flashes...and when I saw those flashes it reminded me from back at the mission... I looked at meat and said "Let's go please..." He just nodded and we kept moving.....we found a restaurant to eat at because it was less crowded...so we got some food to eat...Meat and Dash had to use the restroom and I was sitting at the table alone...I was in the middle of eating my burger when a lady sat next to me... there was a guy with a camera next to her...he was pointing it at me... She said "Hello, you must be Drake Mathews! My name is Sally Kinish, and I am a news reporter for the Milton's Drive, it's a small news building in a small town, but anyway, can I ask you some questions?" I just starred at her and ignored her...I just ate my food and just pretended she wasn't there...I don't want to say anything.... she said: "Please Drake it will take a few minutes and there are only three questions?"  I kept ignoring her... and she kept bugging me... I said, "Ma'am no offense I don't to answer any of your questions ok?"  I then finished my food and was waiting for the guys... they were taking awhile...The lady was saying "Fine then I will just ask the questions and you may answer if you want.... first.." before she could ask me this guy comes up and goes "Listen lady, don't you think he had enough...leave him be...all he wants to do is go home to see his family...not talk to some small. scumbag reporter.."  I looked at the guy, he was in his mid-thirties...he had a young girl hanging onto his leg... the lady just sighed and walked away... I said "Thanks, man... I knew she wouldn't listen to me"... He said, "No worries it happened to me when I served..." I said, "You served?" He nodded and lifted his pant leg...there was a metal leg... I said " I am sorry to see that, but you did your job and you had to do what you had to do...I understand" I gave him a small smile.. and he said "Yes sir I did!! I'm glad you made it home safe..that's all we ask for," I said "thanks, man! I also want to say my thank you for sacrificing so much for our country!" The man nodded and waved goodbye as he left, Meat and dash returned and said "Sorry man the line is freaking long as hell!!" I said "Its cool!" I also said "Look we better head out now...I am kind of getting tired of this airport.." They laughed and said "Let's go"