war of understanding | gerbert

02

That night, after visiting their parents the five Marines agreed to spend their first day back in the States to get a drink or two (or three). In the heart of Haight-Ashbury was a bar, shoulder-to-shoulder, filled with a diverse amount of people. Most of them sported that hippie attire that Gerard was dreading of running into. The men had no time to change into civvies clothes before the joint would close. When the soldiers walked through the doors in their service uniforms a few heads turned, or more like all of them stared right at the group. Gerard's stomach dropped when he realized that merely walking into the building could start a protest or worse, a fight.

It was tense, they felt like outcasts, until cheers erupted. People dressed identical to those who were spitting and screaming at them in the airport were surrounding them. Asking them about Vietnam, what it was like, how they got there, etc. Taken by surprised, the Marines laughed and answered the questions as they were screamed out.

Soon enough the five made their way to bar where a man with long hair and almost an even longer beard took their order, "What'd ya' take?" his voice was rough as if he had been smoking and drinking since he crawled out of the womb.

In less than a second Frank barked back an answer, "Scotch on the rocks before I pass out!"

The remainder of the group laughed as Frank sat with a stern face, "Damn Iero, you sound like you rehearsed that." Ray chuckled before giving the bartender a look, "Shot of whiskey." the man's tone went from joking to serious in a matter of seconds which caused the bearded man behind the counter to arch an eyebrow.

"That damned beer they gave us was shit. If I even smell a beer again I might throw up." Frank fake gagged while receiving the scotch he asked for.

The bartender looked to Ray's towards Mikey who had a faint blush on his cheeks. He cleared his throat, speaking in a low voice, "Beer...please." Frank glared at Mikey from two stools away and shook his head shamefully.

Before Gerard could get in his order Bob cut him off by holding up his hand, "Beer as well." he held a smug look that made Frank hit his shoulder since the men were sitting by each other.

"Dry martini!" Gerard squeaked out as soon as the bartender glanced his way, afraid that his 'friends' would already be ordering a second round. When he said his drink the bartender chuckled slightly before focusing on making the rest of the alcoholic beverages. His friends though, they stared at him, "What?" the man could not grasp the fact the four soldiers were staring at him like he was a lunatic.

They laughed but Frank found it the most amusing, "Dry martini!" he mocked and held up his index finger in a exaggerated way that even made the bartender roll his eyes. Like his brother, Gerard felt a slight blush creep across his face.

"Good job ordering the most flamboyant drink you could Way." Bob giggled and took a sip of the bottled beer the bartender had just slid his way.

Gerard pursed his lips as he flashed his eyes up and down at the two men who were mocking him. Soon he felt Mikey put his hand on his shoulder, "Don't listen to those assholes." then something rare happened, Mikey flashed a quick smile.

In return Gerard giggled, "Thanks Mikes." his brother removed his hand from his shoulder when his beer was placed in front of him. The older Way groaned as he waited on his embarrassment of a drink.

For a moment he closed his eyes, listening to the echoing music, it was Paint It, Black by The Rolling Stones. Gerard sighed, remembering listening to the song in the airport to Vietnam. As much as he loved being in the Marines and serving his country he couldn't help but wonder what life what be like if he never joined. Realistically he would've never been drafted if he never joined, neither would have Mikey, as they were too young. Now he was twenty, he could have a normal office job, live near his family, and have a girlfriend…or boyfriend.