Destined

Chapter 1:

      "December 15th, 2038
Things are getting pretty rough out here Jasp. I'm not so sure if I'll be making it back home for this Christmas. I'm sorry little buddy. You're just too young to understand what's going on. Perhaps when you're older you'll understand. Until then I'll try my best to come back home. I promise. Here's an early Christmas present for you, promise me to always wear it? I love you.
                    - Cory"

      Every time I miss him I read his letter over again. I was just barely the age of ten when I received that letter from my older brother Cory. The last time I ever heard from him.
He was in the army, he liked that kind of stuff. It's been roughly nine years since his death.
     I remember the day I came home from school, my mother was on the ground, arms wrapped around her legs, head in her lap, screaming and crying. I was confused at first, my mother was strong, I've never seen her like that before. I quickly ran to her side to comfort her. Eventually she settled down enough to tell me the news.
     Horror and fear struck me instantly. I wanted to die right where I stood. I couldn't handle the news of my brothers death, he was my everything. I couldn't picture my life with out him.
     All I remember was being upset and infuriated that even my father wasn't there with us. Where the hell was he? Surely he had gotten the news. He was the damn president! I understand that his job was "important" but his son has been announced dead.
      Cory and my dad fought a lot but for heavens sake that was his own flesh and blood! I hated my father at that very moment. Before Cory left they got into an argument and Cory refused to do what he asked.
      After Cory left my father stayed out more not as in office hours either. He would go to bars and get drunk, come home late, cuss and yell at me, telling me I looked like his so called "abomination" of a son Cory.
    He stopped eventually. He apologized on many occasions but I never accepted them.
I'm not so sure what Cory meant by I wouldn't understand until maybe I was older. I'm nineteen now, maybe one day I would find out. Until then I would keep his ring around my neck and swear to never join the army.
       I fold the letter back up and stick it back under my bed. I look outside the window, it's a bit cloudy out. The sky is gray, the sun is no where to be seen, and it's a bit chilly. I wonder if it would rain. I hear my mothers voice at the end of the hall she calls out in a sweet voice "Jasper, will you come here for a second dear?" I didn't hesitate to respond I simply say "Yes ma'am. Give me a second and I'll be down in a moment."
      I hurried and put a clean shirt and pair of sweats on. After I was finished I rushed down stairs to meet my mother. At the last two steps I say loudly "What is it that you need mom?" As I turned the corner I stopped dead in my tracks.
My mom was sitting in the living room with two of her childhood friends and who I believe is their daughter,  "Not this again.." I muttered.