Big Girls Don't Cry ✔️

A final move

Jordyn

Dad and I packed up the house, and I was told by Dad to get rid of anything I didn't need. I told him I needed everything. He told me to stop being a packrat. Well, phooey.

I tossed out things I didn't need until I came across my teddy bear and placed it inside a box. I need to take Teddy with me since he's talented. I packed whatever I could and got rid of things I didn't need. Okay, Dad is right, I've officially become a hoarder.

You realize how much useless junk you collect until you move all the time. As we packed boxes, we wrote room names on them, so the movers knew where to place the boxes. Dad kept me home from school so that we could pack. He got no argument from me.

When we finished packing, the moving company arrived and carried furniture out along with boxes. I took a carry on bag with me in the car as did Dad. We were going to Michigan and staying with Nana and Papa for a couple of days, then going to the new house. I hadn't seen my grandparents in a while.

We loaded up the car and got inside. Dad looked at me. "Final move kiddo," he said as I smiled. I couldn't wait until Mom came home for good. I missed her.

********
Martin

I drove straight through to Michigan. We arrived late, and Jordyn slept in the car. I pulled into Baxter and Rose's driveway and parked. I woke Jordyn, and she yawns and stretched.

"We're here," I told her as she nodded. We got out of the car and grabbed our bags. I walked up to the front door and knocked as Baxter opened it. "It's Kelsey's final deployment, so we came home."

Baxter stepped towards me and hugged me. "Thank god," he said as I hugged him back. He released me and looked at Jordyn. "Come here and give Papa a hug." Jordyn hugged him; then, we went inside.

Rose was shocked to see us, and when I told her Kelsey would be coming home after this deployment, she cried. Years of moving and deployments were challenging, but Kelsey chose this path. I decided to follow her.

Rose got Jordyn settled in Kelsey's old bedroom, and I found my old room. I walked inside and looked around. I remembered coming here for my senior year. I was living in a rundown place, and Kelsey's parents offered me a place to stay.

I walked over to a desk and picked up a picture frame, and it had us in from the beach.

"I remember when Kelsey brought you home," Baxter said as I looked at him. "We were hesitant, came to know you as a decent man who loves our daughter."

"Kelsey showed me that people genuinely care. I lost sight of that and became lost. I had so much anger that I refused to let people in with me," I said.

"What changed?" Baxter asked.

"Kelsey showed kindness and offered me a home," I said as Baxter looked at me.

"Well, you showed acceptance, remember that," he reminded me as I nodded. Baxter went to bed as I set the frame down. I walked over to my bag and unzipped a pocket and pulled out an envelope. I walked over to the bed and laid down as I opened and pulled out the letter.

Martin,

We aren't able to call and can send letters. Boot camp is tough. I get yelled at, and the Drill Sargent keeps trying to get me to quit. I refuse to leave.

I remember what you told me last year when we were talking. You told me I am the most influential person you ever met. When you felt like giving up, you looked at me and kept going. You said I am the most influential person you met because I chose to be happy than miserable.

I think about that a lot and the fact you're back home while I'm here. I know you're lonely without me, but one day this will be over, and we will grow old together. I want to sit on a porch with you, old and gray as we sit in rocking chairs.

One day that will happen, and it will all be worth it. I know this is difficult for you, and I know you support me with my decision. You are an active person Martin.

I'm so glad they paired us on an assignment in class. It gave me a chance to know you. You surprised me. Underneath that tough exterior is someone amazing. My promise to you is returning to you, no matter what. I love you.

Kelsey

I wiped my eyes as I folded the letter. I reached into my bag and pulled the rest of the messages I never read until now. I saved them for a time when I was ready. I never told Kelsey because I didn't want her to know I was afraid if I read them, then there was a chance she wouldn't return to me.

I read through all the letters before I drifted off to sleep. I held onto them and kept them close. It offered comfort while Kelsey was away. One day, she would get her to wish, and we would sit in rocking chairs, old and gray. One day, she would keep her promise and return to me.

******
Kelsey

While out on patrol a sniper shot at us. We opened suppressing fire as one of the trucks hit an IED and exploded, killing all soldiers inside and wounding another soldier by me. I lowered my gun and dodge bullets as I dragged them out the way.

"Staff Sargent Hayes, the snipers have us pinned down," a corporal informed me.

"Radio headquarters and tell them to send help," I ordered him as Master Sargent Forbes helped me. The Corporal radioed headquarters calling in for help. I heard him say, "Bring the rain."

I tended to the wounded soldier as they bled.

"I don't want to die," the soldier cried.

"You won't die. You're an American soldier," I told him as I tended his wounds. I got the bleeding to stop temporarily, as F-16s brought the rain and launched bombs and missiles over the area of the snipers. We loaded the wounded into the truck as got out of there and drove back to base.

We arrived back to base, and they took the wounded soldier into surgery. I didn't know if he would make it, I prayed, but you never know. I went back to the barracks and took a shower; then I changed my clothes. I walked into the room and laid on my bed as I relieved the tension in my neck.

Master Sargent Forbes came to check on me. I sat up and looked at him.

"I came to check on you," he said.

"And I'm fine, now you can leave," I ordered him.

"Kelsey," he started to say as I got off my bed.

"Don't," I stopped him. He looked at me. "I told you I'm married and you tried to try to hook up with me."

"It was a moment of weakness. We were both missing our spouses," he said.

"You tried to kiss me, and I told you no. I have a husband and child, and after this deployment, I'm out. Now, get the hell out of my barrack, Sir," I ordered him as he looked at me and left.

I didn't tell Martin that my commanding officer tried to sleep with me. I reported him, and the army reprimanded him with a slap on the wrists. They told me boys would be boys, and as a woman, I had to suck it up. I joined the military to defend my country, but you don't know about the other issues until you're in it.

I had three months until my deployment ended. I didn't tell Martin and Jordyn because I didn't want to get their hopes up of it was pushed back, which happens. I counted down the days until I finally came home permanently. My time in the military was over.