Anticipation

Chapter 17 - Azalea

We all laid on the plane trying to get some sleep, sleep that most of us can't receive while on base in Iraq. I didn't sleep, instead I wrote to Franky, there's been a lot that I haven't told her and didn't plan on it, but I guess now is when I need too.

Dear Franky,

It's June 5th, 2007. Basically I can't sleep and you're the only one I'm thinking of. Earlier today General Washington was talking to me, he's like a dad I never had, he gets me, understands why I picked the Marine Corps and why I even wanted to go to war in the first place. In basic training it came to me naturally and I was one of the many few that met all the requirements. Yes, you're probably thinking, "why the hell did you do it?" Well, it was my last resort for a family, the Marines are my family. I also talked to General Washington about you, I told him that if anything ever happens to me, contact you. He asked, "Does she treat you well?" Like something a dad would say to his little girl once again, "yes." My answer was too easy for him. "Do you love her Azalea?" He asked... Franky when he said that my heart dropped and all I could say was, "more than anything." What really triggered me in a good way was when he paused for about a minute and then looked at me and finally without any hesitation mentioned, "Azalea, I know you didn't want to come back in the Marines, you wanted to settle down. So when you get out after this for good, make a family with her, we will always be your family but it's time to let go of us and start new." And with that he got up and left the room and all I did was watch him walk back to his section and I smiled. Damn do I miss you baby, it seems like it's going to take forever until I can come home again. Your lips are so beautiful and your hair is long and luscious. We'll save the rest for my next letter, this is letter #1.

Lots of Love,

Azalea

PS. I love you

Finally arriving to base, my head began to hurt. It was like I was too far away from Franky or some mysterious thing, or maybe I just got a mind grain. Stop being so dramatic Azalea, you're always thinking of some off the charts ideas. "AZALEA!" I turned around to have Leah A.K.A. Peanut, jumping on top of me. "What the hell are you doing here?" Peanut asked. "They put me back on active duty for some special mission..." Peanut is good for interrupting, "Oh you're dealing with the Iranians, haha, but... I must say if it's anyone you're the one for that mission, you're the best, we all established that." I got defensive, "look Peanut I'm like everyone else, normal and doing their damn job." Peanut just turned, her hair wasn't slicked back in a tight bun yet, so she flipped her hair like the rest of the prissy girls do.

We ate dinner in the mess hall and I didn't really talk, I was worried about this mission. After I was finished eating, General Washington called me into the meeting room. Other lieutenants and generals were sitting in the chairs. Other marines were in there too, I guess those are the "few" like me. A powerpoint was expanded on the wall, it started showing pictures.

"Now, I hope none of you are pissed at us for putting you back on active duty. We need y'all's help," his accent always made me feel more welcomed, "the Iranians have been putting out more information to try and confuse us, we're trying to find the messenger here. They have more weapons now, we need to continue to shut things down. Another thing, this is a very dangerous mission, you guys will be going undercover to try and find the messenger for the Iranians or anything that symbolizes their system. It's structured, they've been trying to hide some guy named, Abdul Azim, which means "Servant of the Mighty." We need to cut off any more direct/indirect discussions about bombs threats and what they will be doing. It's your job to stay undercover, now you'll have a partner. Azalea and Jack, Lisa and Conner, Jody and Simon, I wish you all good luck and stick together your mission starts in 3 days." As he finished, we all stood up and saluted the lieutenants and generals.

I wonder what Franky thinks I'm doing, it's crazy how we were just making love, now I'm going out on a deadly mission.