It's A Long Road

Chapter Three:

Chapter Three:

I got tired of just standing in the airport. I walked out, into the fresh air. My stomach started to growl. I spotted a little diner. The bell rang as I walked into the building. I took a seat at the counter and waited for someone to take my order. Spinning in my chair I looked around. Everything was either stainless steel or green cushion. It was a fairly small diner; six or seven booths and then you had the choice to sit at the counter.

A little girl, around age four, skipped her way to the jukebox and turned on a song. Footloose. I had always loved this movie, and the way the song made you want to dance.

I look at the little girl again; she was spinning around, her dress puffing out.

The waitress broke my trance “May I take your order, deary?” She was a little lady, with grey hair and welcoming smile.

“Um, can I get… can I get some pancakes?”

“Sure thing.” Waiting for my order, I turned back to the little girl, but she was gone. “Here you go, sweetheart.”

She gently set my plate in front of me; I smile at her in thanks. “Oh, deary what would you like to drink?”

“Coffee, please?” In a matter of seconds she came back with my coffee and set it down just as gently.

I finished with my meal and leaned back in my chair. She came back and took my plate, “more coffee?” I nodded in response. I haven’t eaten in about a day, but I was full. Taking another sip of my coffee I let out a burp. No one seemed to notice, so I shrugged it off.

I started thinking how I would get home. Taxi? No too far, maybe a bus. Yeah, I’ll take a bus. It’s cheap and I won’t have to start a conversation with the driver or face the awkward silence.

The waiter comes back over, breaking my train of thought “where you headed, deary?”

I look at her confused when I realize I’m wearing my uniform “oh, no. I’m on leave.”

“Going home?”

“Yes, ma’am.” And I’m not excited about it at all. Dreading it actually.

She took a seat in the booth across from me “where were you?”

“Afghanistan.”

“You guys did I fine job over there,” she gave me a genuine smile “my husband was in the war.”

I could sense the sadness in her voice when she said it “my condolences.”

She grabbed a picture from her pocket, handing it over to me “that’s my husband and my sons.”

“You have a lovely family.”

She walked over to me before I could hand the picture back “that’s Jeremy on the right, Lewis in the middle, and Robert on the left. Thrity-two, Twenty-seven, and eighteen.” I smile handing the picture back. “How old are you, deary?”

“Twenty-four.”

“Did you go in after you graduated? That’s what Jeremy did, always wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. Lewis went in after a year of college; decided it wasn’t for him, but Robert he’s going to make something big of himself. I just know it. He’s still high school; his last year.” The look on her face showed pride. I pray nothing happens to her two sons. “Robbie will be here soon. You should stay and meet him? Oh, shot are you in a hurry deary?”

Was I in a hurry? No. “No I’m not. I would love to meet him.” Just as I answer a young boy walked in; tall, handsome, broad shoulders. He had shaggy black hair. He smiled when he spotted his mother. As he walked over to us I could tell him and his mother had the same eyes; light green eyes that just seemed to reel you in.

He wrapped his mother up in hug, before she introduced us “Robbie this is… deary, what did you say your name was?”

“Ronnie.” I actually did mention it before, but I was going to correct her.

Robbie held his hand out; I took his gesture. “Nice to meet you. Is my mother giving you a hard time?”

“No, she was just telling me about you and your brothers.”

He looked at his mother and shook his head. It sound like he mumbled ‘Always’ but I didn’t pay no mind to it. “You in the army?”

 “Marines.”

“How long?”

“Five years.”

“Oh, wow. I don’t think I’m going to go.” He looked down as if he felt ashamed of his decision.

“There are plenty of other ways to honor your country,” I assured him.

“I think I’m going to play football. Professionally you know. I’ve been playing since I was eight. I’ve had a lot of scouts come to see me play, but I don’t know where I want to go. Where do you think I should go?”

I didn’t really know anything about colleges, but I do know a lot about football. “Well, I hear Marshall is a good school or the Naval Academy, and you wouldn’t be that far from your mother. But Penn State is good too, that’s where I wanted to go.”

“But you didn’t go did you?”

“No, I went straight into the marines. I thought about it though. I might do some kind of schooling now.”

“Where you from?”

“Sumter, North Carolina. I’m heading home.”

“How are you getting there?”

“Bus probably.”

We talked for what seemed like a lifetime. This kid was smart and easy going. I haven’t had a genuine conversation with someone in a long time. It was nice. His mother, who I found out her name was Cindy, brought use some coffee and pie. When I looked at my watch and it said it was almost one I decided I should head out. I said my goodbyes and they gave me their address in case I was ever in town. They were really nice people. I hope that God is on their side, and I promise to pray for Jeremy and Lewis every day.

I stepped back out into the open. The sun hit my face.

I love the fact that no matter where you were on Earth the sun always felt the same. That was one thing I could count on to stay the same.

I headed in a random direction. I walked for about ten minutes until I spotted a bus station. I looked at the times and decided to take the One-thirty. I bought my ticket. I found my bus and stepped aboard, taking a seat in the far back.

This was going to be a long ride, but I figured I’d just sleep it off.

SORRY I HAVEN’T UPDATED IN FOREVER. I’VE BEEN BUSY WITH SCHOOL AND FAMILY STUFF. BUT I’M SOOOOOOOOO SORRY. I HOPE Y’ALL LIKE THIS CHAPTER! I TRIED TO MAKE IT LONGER THAN THE OTHERS BUT WE’LL SEE.

NEXT CHAPTER I’M GOING TO GIVE YOU A TWIST.

PLUS RONNIE IS FINALLY GOING TO SEE HER MOM… DUNNN DUNNN DUNNNNNNNNNN. (: