Soldier

Chapter 6

I glance at my wrist watch seeing it's 8:30am in the morning. I tighten my grip on my grande Starbucks coffee, taking occasional sips from it. I'm headed today to San Diego. It's going to take about two hours to arrive my destination for the day. I honestly admit that I'm kind of exhausted, my mind is. I've been thinking a lot lately and I've got a lot of work to do in San Diego. I'm planning to gather as much information I can get from the right people.

I lean on my seat trying to relax to prevent putting so much pressure on myself. I hope I'll get through this day as well as the following days of the week. Hopefully I can do as much as I can and I will be able to give as much help up to the extent I can to do something for him. Sometimes I'm driven by my thoughts on how Curtis could be doing right now. Maybe if he is conscious, does he think about me as much as I think of him? Does he miss me? Is he doing everything that he can to be able to be with me? To be able to reach out because I know he knows I'm a worrier.

At some points, I wish I just took his place. That maybe if I was the one in a dangerous state, he could be stronger on dealing the pain. He could deal with it better than I can. But that's such a pathetic thought. I know Curtis wouldn't be happy to know that I would wish upon myself to be in a dangerous state just because I see myself right now as a weak person. Even though I have these useless and pathetic thoughts in my mind, I feel like Curtis is speaking to me. It's like I can hear his voice saying not to act wreckless. It's like he's telling me to be strong for him. I can feel that he has so much compassion that he believes that I can do this, that I can get through this excruciating pain. Due to that, I'm more determined to not give up on us.

Last night, I did some research on who could possibly be the people who can help me look for Curtis. It took a lot of patience and hardwork because I had to look for the exact site on where there is a reliable information and source. I know that I also need to be patient with today. I need to be patient enough to deal with these people so that they could give me the right answers I'm looking for.

After two longing hours, I finally arrived San Diego. It's not much like Santa Barbara. The city here is more developed and busier than it is way back home. I search in my bag the small notebook I wrote notes on about last night. The first person on my list was Cecilia Banks. She's the Officer in charge on Aircraft. I figured that at least she could give me some information about Curtis whether she's seen any site of him before they departed their destination a week ago.

I turn a left on Cantersbury street heading my way to look for Cecilia's house. I asked different people along the way for further directions and finally I arrived her house. It's a normal sized household with its main feature as a bungalow house. Its walls are beige colored with a dark brown roof. I park my father's vehicle along the sidewalk and hop out of the car. I make my way towards the front door and knock gently. As I waited, I fixed myself a bit to look presentable in front of Cecilia. The door creaked open as I fix my gaze upon a woman who is probably on her 50s. I smile lightly at her before opening my mouth to speak.

"Good morning, Mrs. Banks. I just wanted to come over... I need some help with a business I've been dealing with." I pause, debating with myself if I should continue. I can't turn back right now. There is no way I can and will.

"Will it be favorable if I take a seat with you
and ask you some questions about my concern?" I finish. She gives me a look I can't quite figure out.

"Oh dear, come in. Sure it will be no problem." She smiles. To my delight, she's actually a very polite and disciplined woman.

I enter her house sheepishly. The scent of putpourri enters my nose. She closes the door gently and leads me the way to the kitchen. The house was very clean with pictures and painting hang on the walls. I sit on the chair across from her, gently placing my bag on the cream colored floor.