The Lighthouse Siren

The Call Chapter 1

Present day

The cursor keeps flashing me on my glaringly empty page, of the incident report my CO ordered me to fill out about the fight I broke up in the mess hall this afternoon.

My eyes feel dry and about ready to crack from staring at the stupid screen the last half hour, all the while that dumb cursor prompting me to get a move on all ready!

The thing is, I don't see the cursor, or even the harsh glare of the screen. And even in the silence of the room, the noise in my head is explosive.

FLASHBACK:  

I look for my keys to my door, after a long week at work. All I want is to order a pizza and cuddle on the couch with Janet and watch a movie. I wouldn't mind a beer, but I have my PT test in the morning.

All that changes when I walk in on my wife, forcing herself up against one of the new Seaman Recruits in my platoon.

I can't breathe.

I can't move.

I'm sure my heart has completely stopped.

"Janet..." I choke out.

She turns to me and has the nerve to act shocked.

"David!" she cries out, and looks scared at the same time... As if I could ever hurt her.

FLASH:

"David, this is all your fault!" she shouts at me.

"How is you cheating on me my fault?" I shout back.

I am so done with whatever backward thinking she has going on in her head.

"You are never at home!" she retaliates. 

"I'm a Master Chief  Petty Officer in the Navy. I have responsibilities I have to take care of. That used to include taking care of you!" I retorted.

But not any more. Never again. I will never be able to forgive Janet for what she did to me.

FLASH:

"Please, I'm sorry!" she begs as I toss her clothes into a suitcase.

"I'll be better! It will never happen again!"

I ignore her, because she is right. It will never happen again because I won't let it.

I finish zipping up her bag and hand it over to her.

"Don't kick me out! I love you!"

She doesn't know how bad that hurts. Because if she ever did really love me, none of this would have ever happened.

I take a deep breath. "Court date is next Tuesday at 10am." I say stoically. 

FLASH:

3 months later.

"Master Chief Petty Officer David Jackson and Janet Harris, your marriage is now dissolved," the judge announces.

I blink at the still blank screen and notice that the buzzing noise in my ear, is actually my phone vibrating on my desk.

I grab it and check the ID and swipe the green button and hold the phone to my ear.

"What's up, Austin?"

"Hey man, how are you hangin' in there?" he asks with real concern in his voice.

Austin is my best friend since Kindergarten and all the way into the Navy.

"Man, it's been a helluva month. I don't know what I'm doing any more. 4 months!" I growl in frustration. "It's been 4 months since I caught her, man, and it still hurts!"

"Dude, I get you, man. You were married for 5 years! It's gonna take some time. But listen, man. Why don't you join me and Jordan at the Anthony's bar tonight?" Austin encouraged.

I am just about to say no way when he cuts me off.

"Dude! I know you are gonna say no, again. But don't! You haven't been out at all, and Jordan and I have something to talk to you about. We will see you at 7 tonight, and if you don't show, we are invading your place!" he promises.

Knowing Austin, he totally would.

I sigh heavily and check the clock.

"Okay, man. I give. See you guys in about 3 hours," and hang up.

And stare at that damned cursor.