The Red Coral Bracelet

Chapter 3

Navy

He was doing the Chicken Dance! Why was he doing the Chicken Dance? I thought back to what Jace said, "Its his natural way." I started laughing and joined him. I didn't care about all the weird looks I got and the laughing; I was having fun dancing with Imlay and if they didn't like it, well too damn bad.

After doing it fifteen times, I sat down on the ground dead tired. Jet lag and dancing can do that to you. I liked Imlay. He was fun and goofy. And his eyes reminded me of Luke. That was the downside. I hadn't seen Luke in two years, only because when I was in Afghanistan he was in the States and vice versa. We talked on the phone a lot, but it wasn't the same. I wanted to hug him, race to the ocean with him, dance with him.

"Imaly, you're alright. I'm leaving for real this time." I told them and walked away with Dawson trying to convince me to give him a piggy back ride.

My reason for telling him no: he's a good ole country boy whose height was pushing the seven foot mark. It's rather difficult to give a 6'10 person a piggy back ride when you're only 5'3. Everytime I'm around Dawson, I feel like the shortest person in the world; I think everyone does.

I reached Uncle Danny's office and strode in, excited to see the man who is like my second father. Daniel Decker is a sweet, red headed man, but could be downright scary when you mess up. You could tell that he was mad when his deep, brown eyes had storm clouds in them. When I was a little kid, I saw the clouds in his eyes all the time, but one look at my wide, blue eyes and stuck out bottom lip, they would pass just as quickly as they came.

I didn't knock, I slammed the door open and yelled, "I'm back!"

"Close the damn door!" He yelled back and came around from his desk to hug me. "Oh, I missed you, Navy."

"Missed you, too, Danny D." He lifted me off the ground. "Before you ask, Dawson attacked me, I hid behind Imlay, then I did the Chicken Dance with him. That's what took me so long."

"Imlay?"

"Yeah, Corporal Lee Imlay."

"Tanner Lee Imlay? The Marine tat looks like Luke?"

"Yes, sir. That's him." I paused for a second then continued, "Not to be all business, but who am I assigned to?"

"Nothing is all business with you and give me a second." He went back to his desk and rifled through some papers. "Two-Five under the command of Lt. Anders. He is in the theater with his men right now. They just got here. Head over there and talk to him."

"Yes, sir." I turned and began to walk out.

"And Navy?"

"Yes, sir?"

"I love you, sweetie."

Smiling to myself I replied, "Duly noted."

I stepped back out into the hot air and harsh sunlight and headed towards the theater to talk to Lt. Geoffry Anders. As I walked, I waved to everyone I passed and talked to a few about their families.

Five minutes later, I entered the dark, cool theater and removed my sunglasses, so I could look around for him. I questioned Leslie, an amazing single mother who I loved, where Anders was. She pointed out a man with buzzed brown hair and sitting next to a person I recognized immediately. I thanked Leslie and headed over. Being the polite and well-mannered girl that I am, I stood off to the side and waited until he was done talking to his platoon to approach him.

"Ma'am." He nodded towards me.

"Lieutenant Anders, hello." I replied and shook his hand. " I just learned that I'm going to be taking photographs of you and your men. I want to know if you're OK with me doing that."