Army Strong

Chapter One

Big Jet Plane by Angus and Julia Stone (Live) (Thought it was a tad bit ironic)

Army Strong

Chapter One

"And how are you sleeping Blake?" Mr. Lemon asked with his glasses tipped on his nose and a notepad and pen in his left hand.

The fact the mans last name was lemon was enough for me to vomit in the trash can three feet away from me. The man was in his late fifties with a bow tie around his neck. He had a nervous edge to his voice when he spoke to me making me feel like I needed to slap the guy silly because of his behavior.

I didn't feel like answering the guys question since he already knew the answer judging by the dark black circles coloring my eyes. I was tired but couldn't find myself to close my eyes and be challenged with seeing what happened that night. I can't make myself see the horrors I saw that night on the battle field. Maybe that made me a weak woman but god damnit I didn't care. I wasn't ready to face those fears again.

I smirked at Mr. Lemon and shook my head. If I told him I haven't had an ounce of sleep for over 72 hours he would prescribe me sleeping pills. I have tried sleeping pills and all they did was let me sleep in a nightmare filled dream for 8 hours in which I was avoiding to do.

"I think you and I both know just how much sleep I have gotten," I said with venom seeping into my words.

He flinched at my tone and scribbled something on his notepad. I was curious on what he wrote but too tried to care.

"Would you like to explain why?" he asked in a sickeningly sweet voice.

"No," I stood up with my cane gripping my hand.

I only went to this guy because the government provided a one hour a month visit for people like me who have gone through traumatic experiences. I have to go for at least twenty minutes and if I am not satisfied I may leave. It is a service I hate to do every fucking month.

"Wait, Ms. Heart," Mr. Lemon called after me standing up as well.

"I have been here for twenty minutes and thirty six seconds Mr. Lemon and I am not satisfied. I will see you next month," I said as I limped my way towards the door.

Mr. Lemon tried to go ahead of me to open the door for me but I blocked him so he couldn't. I hated it when people tried to help me just because I am a 26 year old with a cane. It is so annoying.

"W-well," Mr. Lemon stuttered. "I can write you a prescription for sleeping pills."

I chuckled darkly at the doorway. The man looked flustered and embarrassed he even dared to ask.

"No Mr. Lemon, I sleep just fine at night," I said sarcastically.

I left the office with that sentence lingering in the air. I wanted to get home so I could finally watch the final episode of Criminal Minds before I set off to my parents house for the holidays.

It was late November in Washington with cold winds blowing a snowy furry around the west coast. I had to travel to Colorado on a eight hour flight from Seattle, Washington to Denver, Colorado where my parents will give me a ride to their house for Thanksgiving. I have to stay in a room with my little brother Anthony who is seventeen years old and loves NAS Car and lesbian porn. The kid is hilarious but also has enough teenaged hormones coursing through his veins to annoy me and my two other older brothers. I love and hate my brothers. It was a bitch growing up with the guys since they all loved pulling pranks on me and chasing away any guy I tried to date in my high school years. But it was also nice having them around for guidance and advice when I needed it.