Heartbreaks, Prosecution, and Retribution

Chapter 5 : Reunion

Prior to graduation, we had an event called Rites of Passage; this is where we were given our regimental crest, which represents what branch we belonged to. This was a very special day because I remember that before I left for basic training, my recruiter told me the Drill Sergeant will lie about going into combat to get us psyched out. So, I was expecting it, and on the day of our rites of passage we were told that America had been involved in a terrorist attack, a plane flew into the Pentagon and two flew into the Twin Towers. The Drill Sergeant said we were not allowed to call home, listen to the radio or watch TV; as if we could anyway. Sadly, it all was true, but there were a few of us that were told the same story by our recruiters so we didn't buy into the story.

After we were informed about the attack, several of us had our orders changed. I was initially going to Korea, but my name was called and my orders were changed from Korea to Ft. Myer, Virginia.

Finally, now four months of training had passed; the time has come to graduate from training. I could actually walk across a stage proudly compared to my high school graduation.

We all spent several hours of repetitive practice for our graduation. By knowing what key signal to stand up on was important? We didn't want to stand up or be out of step when it wasn't our row's turn.

Once we marched to the stage, we would address the crowd about what class we have graduated from and where we were from. This is to show the diversity of where all of us came from and to be proudly part of a whole team.

It was finally my turn. As I am standing there addressing the audience, I see my family in the distance. They were here for my support, but not just that, they were my transportation back home. Standing with my family was two friends of mine that were dear to me, and that I was glad to see after four long months of training. There was just one person missing, which it was Jessica. I didn't expect her to show up anyway.

After the ceremony, my family, friends and I enjoyed a nice family meal. It was nice to be with the family. I didn't really know how much I would miss them until I saw them. They all noticed a difference in my actions and attitude from how I acted now than from before.

After our dinner, I went back to the barracks to get my things. As I was packing up to get ready to leave, I was wondering about my wife and stepson and how they were doing. Even though I was hurt by what she did to me, I was still caring about both of them.

Now that I was leaving Basic Training, I will be going home for close to a month of leave and would like to figure what I am going to do before my permanent change of station to Ft. Myer, Virginia. I questioned myself as to what I was going to do about Jessica. Was I going to try to work things out with her? Maybe, I should go to the county court office and see what I would need to do in order to get an annulment? I pondered these questions over and over repeatedly. What am I going to do?

On the drive back, we all had conversations, mainly covering my training and how the family has been. Then halfway through the drive, we were discussing my issues and some comments on what I should do. The outcome of most of the discussion was for me to go about the route of filing an annulment. Since we haven't been married for over a year, I was really considering going that route.

After being home for three days, Jessica showed up at my parents' house, since she knew that I was back. She wanted to talk about things that had happened and for what she has done. She explained how and why she spent the money.

Jessica told me that she had spent about seven hundred dollars on food and an apartment bill that she moved into. I knew she didn't move because of the times I called home someone would have told me that she had moved out. Well, I would think they would. It would have also cost more for a down payment with a first month's rent. She also stated that someone had stolen the checkbook out of our car.

Everything was of course not true because I requested copies of my checks written while I was in training. People had forged my name on the checks and the handwriting was not mine. The words written on the checks were definitely my wife's handwriting. I have seen enough of Jessica's handwriting that I knew it was all hers.

After discussions over the bank statements and negative balances, Jessica asked her grandfather for the money so that the bank would be paid back in full. Thanks to her grandfather, he actually helped her and paid back the bank. He insisted more so after he found out what had happened. I also found out that the checks were allegedly staged as stolen by her friend.

Jessica said how much it hurt her not to be at my graduation. She said that she couldn't be there because she was in the county jail through the graduation week. She also didn't know what I would think if she did show up there. I then asked her in a chuckling way, "What caused you to get locked up for the short period of time anyway?"

She told me that she and her sister got into a fight. They both were just screaming at one another, then Jessica's sister pushed her. Then Jessica shoved her back. It escalated into hitting and pulling each other's hair. Jessica said she then tried to get some space to relax and leave. Soon she tried to walk away, but her sister grabbed a screwdriver and attempted to stab her. Jessica felt threatened, so she grabbed a knife from the kitchen and began to yell, "Stop, STOP! I am serious!"

Due to the duration of the commotion, the neighbors called the police to report a domestic disturbance. The police arrived just in time before anyone got seriously hurt. Jessica was brought to the police station for questioning since she did admit to having the knife. Jessica was 19 years old, and her sister was 17 years old. Jessica got pulled from the house for safety purposes and for misconduct on a minor.

Jessica and I discussed our differences and tried to come to an understanding. I forgave her for the situations and the incidents that had happened while I was gone, though not with the intention to forget.

When people are not influenced properly by others, they tend to make stupid choices. Besides, I loved her and her son so I still wanted to continue on with our relationship and try to give it another try. Some relationships have some rocky roads, but eventually, paved out.

I had just over two weeks left of my leave, so we spent it all together. We never really left each other's side just like before I left for training.

Soon it was time for me to leave again by myself. I was to go to my next duty station and report in. I was going to get situated there before I sent out for my family since we didn't have a reliable vehicle to make it to Virginia.

Of course, once again, it was another sad time because I am now going to my duty station, which is a part of being on active duty. Everyone was, of course, depressed and wondering when I would be home again. We all were at the airport waiting for my flight departure. My parents, sisters and my wife were all so sad that they began to cry. Soon, they began to cry. I couldn't hold back the tears either. I began to tear up. I walked through the security area to break us apart. This is the last I will see my wife and family for some time.

Once I got on the plane, the ride was not too long. It was around three and a half hours, but it definitely seemed longer because of the stress and depression of leaving my family. I was especially saddened after getting things all worked out with my wife. Finally, the plane had landed. I didn't know where I was except that it was an airport. I have no car to drive and no map to orientate me. I asked around trying to get a brief idea of where I should go to get to the place of my final destination. All's I have is less than $50.00, my bags and my orders in my hand.

It seemed as if I was in a mix. I was at Regan International, feeling stranded; there was no USO or sponsor to pick me up, so I had to get a taxi to take me to the Ft. Myer.

I finally got a taxicab that would take me to the place I needed to be. Thankfully, I had just enough money to pay the cab fare, which nearly cost me $20.00. I then got dropped off at my appointed destination . . . FINALLY . . .