SFC Michael came to pick me up on Saturday, he picked up 5 others and myself. Several other sergeants arrived at the same time to pick up the privates from different companies. I fell asleep in the Van and I woke up to a bright light in my eye. And I yawned and stretched and I was being restrained by metal when I tried to retract, I was highly confused. And the guy who was just looking into my eye with a flashlight goes, "We got an ambulatory one!"

I knew that word, so it startled me "What happened!?"

"The Van you were in was T-Boned then went off a 10-meter cliff." I looked over to my right past the paramedic and I saw 4 body bags. Another paramedic began putting another soldier in a black bag. 

He noticed I was staring at him and he said "Only you and the driver survived, he’s in the ambulance. I’m surprised you survived without a scratch, you were the only one not wearing a seatbelt and you ended up under the seat I’m talking to you through the open back of the van."

I got out calmly but squeezing myself through the tight opening. "I thought it was you restraining me"

"Nope the seat is"

"So what now?"

"Well you’re fine, you can go to the base you were headed to or you can go to the hospital and get checked out"

"I’m just fine, I don’t want to go to the hospital"

"Well you got your card, right? We noticed everyone else has one in their wallet for a certain company to get back to base."

"Yeah I got one"

"I’m going to give you saline solution until they get here"

"Before you do that I want to see what I survived."

"Ok"

I look around the van and I could see the huge indent of the car in the left side of the van like the car tried to punch through the van. I look at all the dings and dents caused by rolling. And then I have a revelation, The van’s height was lowered significantly from being on its roof from being about 2 feet taller than me to being a foot shorter than me. I was astounded. "I’m on a roll of surviving as usual"

Paramedic says "come get your saline."

I walk over and I make the call as I’m getting stuck in the arm to inject it into my arm. And because of my location, they say it’s going to be an hour wait.

I’m waiting with the paramedic and its 80 degrees in the shade because the sun is out even though it’s winter. And the paramedic stayed with me to keep me hydrated using saline solution but his AC didn’t work. So we stayed cool from the heat with excessive sweating, made available from the saline solution we were using.

The ride came and brought me back to the barracks, everyone was packing in a frenzy to go home until the new year. I calmly went through the barracks and my roommate tells me welcome home. And he has a fridge of dew waiting for me and I was ecstatic.

I start settling in for a long while and my roommate tells me "Sorry you can’t go home for the holidays; I’ll have a beer for you."

I let that roll off my shoulders though the insult hit me pretty hard. And SFC Jose stomps into the room very suddenly, "keep doing what you’re doing Brian." Then he focuses on me yelling angrily he goes right in my face "Quesadilla!"

I stand up again and immediately go into parade rest "Yes Sergeant?"

"I got a call from Michael saying that he was in the same van as you during the accident. How was he doing? How did he look? He said he was just fine but he’s lied to me about that before." I see a tear begin to surface in his eyes he was concerned for him I see him as a human for the first time.

"Sergeant, he had glass in his face last I saw him. He was also ambulatory but not alert at all. He will recover but not for a while. I’m sorry I have to give you the news like this."

"Thank you for telling me the truth Quesadilla, come see me at 1800 please."

"Yes Sergeant."

He walks out and my roommate still packing goes "yeah dude, I can’t be your battle buddy for that one, my plane leaves at 1600 sorry."

"It’s fine, I’ll find someone"

The barracks get quieter and quieter and my alarm to go look for someone at 1740 to see the sergeant with and it’s dead quiet. I can hear only my footsteps just an echo all around the barracks. Knocking on the doors of people is returned with the echo of empty rooms. I’m even going to the rooms that I know are Alpha company and its the same issue.

I get down to the first floor and SFC Jose is waiting there "116 privates in Bravo company went on vacation,348 privates in Alpha company went on vacation, you, however, are not going come with me, I’m going to take you over to Charlie company so you will meet the sergeant in charge of you for two weeks"

"Can I pack first sergeant?"

"No, I’m going on vacation too I gotta release you to him. I’m sure he’ll let you though."

"Roger Sergeant"

I followed him across the base and to the Charlie Company Barracks. And there’s a platoon of 16 waiting there. I get in the platoon and the new sergeant announces right after they’re in the office for a while.

"Ok, I’m going to pass around a piece of paper with your full name, social, and phone number. After that, you have an hour to get back here after packing w/e the fuck you need for 2 weeks. You won’t be sleeping in the barracks, you will be sleeping in Charlie Company Bays, they had a large graduation this month emptying out a 70 people of bays. If you know where that is, drop your stuff off in that hour, if not, meet here with all your stuff and I’ll show you"

And he gave us the piece of paper. I put down my information. And left the formation, I packed up what little I still had. Most of that was the mountain dew and my computer. And in my bag, I dragged that all around with me during my AWOL adventure helping out the new Alpha back in Chicago and tying some loose ends. Along with my extra uniform that I earned back from breaking my nose as well as a few of my roommate’s civilian clothing that he didn’t take with him(I texted permission and he allowed me).

I wandered over looking for Charlie Company which I knew where it was because it was next to where I used to go try and get my back checked out. Another Private named Allen helped me out with my stuff. My back was hurting, I was really struggling. And I met a friend with him that he had met a specialist named Berry.

Both of which were denied the right to go home for the holidays, Berry slept with the 4-star general’s 16-year-old daughter thinking she was 21 and got her wasted before sleeping with her. He was awaiting his Court Marshall. And Allen had been threatening to dessert since he got to Ft. Huachuca, he didn’t want to be in the marines anymore.

I got along with both of them very well even though I was the youngest by 5 years. The Sergeant came in and told everyone to gather round "Ok everyone settle in, Y’all are gonna be here for a few weeks or until your flights, here are another few people. As far as I know, there are 3 people that will not be leaving on a plane or bus, and 13 who are. If you need me, I’m gonna be sleeping in the next barracks over, feel free to visit, fuck I’m young and because of the 3 pukes who fucked up I can’t go on vacation either. Treat me like I’m not a sergeant; treat me like I’m an acting sergeant like I’m an E3 or E4."

He left us to our peace and between the bunch of us we had people from Bravo, Delta, and Echo Companies and we had an Xbox, PS3, Mini fridge and a TV and everyone had their own laptops(I was the only one with a desktop) and phone company based internet cards. The Sergeant would check up on us periodically and be like "I got next" on Halo or call of duty and he would just act like one of the privates, it was nice to see that change in our superiors. Although he told us every day that there was going to be 2 formations one at 0800 and the other at 2000. This was only to see who went on their vacations.

By day 3 all the people were gone except for us 3, by chance we 3 were the ones that had brought the TV, Xbox and Mini Fridge. So it was still really cool. He came by and it was just us 3 at the formation and he goes, "ok, looks like there’s going to be no more formations. Text me when you’re gonna head to town or whatever. I’ll tell you the same." We all separated for a few hours after that because we were all bored, I invited the sergeant to play Halo with me. He obliged and we put $60 on a 1 on 1 match out of boredom. Both privates came back around the same time and watched the end of the match that went up to 200 deaths loses.

I won and I’m like, "Hey guys lets go out to eat today instead of MRE’s, you wanna come too sergeant?"

"I can’t come, it would be fraternization, I’m crossing the line already, I’m not going to demolish it"

"Ok sergeant, should we bring you back anything?"

"Hey, someone should be the designated driver I’m not going to let you all walk with all the coyotes, wolves, snakes, carnivorous crows and all the other predators around here while drunk." I catch his keys.

"Are you serious sergeant?"

"Go have some fun, just be safe about it, you have my number call me if you have trouble with the car if you need to ask should I call, it means call."

We run off very happy and Allen calls shot gun and Berry says "Quesadilla caught the keys he’s driving". We get to his car a Green 2007 Mustang, it was awesome. I turned the key and the beast roared to life I pushed the gas to see a gauge of what kind of power it had. Both of guys in the car love the sound and ask me to pop the hood because they want to see what’s inside. I didn’t care too much about cars(yet) so I stayed inside as I let them look. We had no concern about the speed limit and there was no one to check IDs so we flew off base at over 100mph blasting through the plastic gate. The entire base was deserted and so was most of the near town so we had to go to the next nearest town another 30 miles away.

I didn’t care too much and it was decided that we were going to Applebee’s and everyone would have their own check. I paid for my check entirely in change but left a large tip. We had a great time and the 2 guys got wasted. I took their phones to prevent them from saying something stupid to their loved ones. 

As I’m washing my clothes and bedding I also set up my computer and I go back to my messages and begin talking to my people like Jenny, Jessica, and Laurie (I found her on an online dating site I was using a pseudonym).

At 1600 the sergeant told me to get some things from the store in town. And gave me a list of groceries to get for everyone and asked if he could use my computer. I gave him permission and password. He went into the office with my desktop and got out a very old printer. And then gave me the keys to his Mustang again and $80.00.

I went to the town and came back with no problems. I asked him what he used my computer for and he said "I’ll tell everyone at 2000. I told the other 2 that’s when I was making a meeting; I didn’t expect you an hour 15 minutes early. How fast were you going?" 

"Your car has over 300 horsepower; I made full use of all of them" As I handed back the keys. He just smiled and nodded as he caught them.

He went to the trunk and I ended up helping him by building an open fire in an empty dumpster. And he just prepared burgers and hot dogs over that.  The other two privates come running expecting disaster because they smelled fire and waiting for orders. The sergeant goes "get a table or some tables from inside as well as some chairs, I’m almost done making ya’ll dinner." Berry and Allen give each other a confused look then walk inside and get a nice large table and asks me to help stabilize it. And I go back in with them and together we get out 4 chairs.

The sergeant takes a seat first and has us say, Grace. I don’t know why but having a spiritual moment for the first time in years made me smile very much, almost cry it’s been years since I went to church. And we had our dinner of all the burgers, hot dogs, bread, and condiments. Afterward, the sergeant drops a bombshell. "I’ve spent a week researching all 3 of you on the govt. database. And I’ve compiled where you all live and took the liberty of buying you all tickets home until January 3rd."

Our jaws dropped and Berry inquired, "why?"

"I have a family I want to see as well, and call it selfish or call it a Christmas gift but I want to send you home so we can just leave the base."

I begin to cry, in both happiness and despite not wanting to go back home. Allen and Berry also begin to cry and he says "Hop in the car, I’m driving, the first plane leaves at 0200 we gotta make it there in time. Toss everything on the fire and get to the car, Move Move Move!"

We do without hesitation. Except for me, I tell him I have someone coming at the airport, he goes, "well tell her you’re going home and you’re going to bring her with. Here’s my laptop buy them a ticket cause they’re going with you. I don’t wanna stay here Quesadilla don’t mess this up for me. Don’t fuck this up Quesadilla"

I just cancel her ticket and she ends up calling me and I tell her what’s up and that I’m on my way, she was already at O’Hare for me. She could not be any happier she hates flying.

I got home three days to Christmas close to 2 am but with Jenny, she knew to be quiet as we got ready for bed I had gotten really close to Jenny, she is loving her job that I gave her but there’s been a lot of changes since I left. I went to bed at 3 am and soon after I go to bed my dad wakes up and starts moving around. I’m in fear that he will find me with Jenny in my bed and time slows as I can feel adrenaline going through me as she holds me tightly like I knew she always wanted to do. I feel like a kid again back when he was drunk and looking to abuse me.

He walks right past me without so much as looking in my room. And shortly after I’m asleep and before I know it I’m waking up again I look at the clock and it’s 9 am I look at Jessica and realize that I would love to get married, waking up to someone who loves you for who you are is an incredible feeling. I can hear both parents talking in the living room. My mom was on her winter vacation and my dad doesn’t work much in the winter.

I entered the room shyly "Hey mom, hey dad."

My dad grew instantly angry "why the hell are you here, did you get kicked out of the army already? You really are pathetic. We only found out you were there in October when you visited passing through and you’re back already why can’t you stay away?"

"No there’s winter vacation you know, I’m not overseas yet so it’s easy to send people home, and by the way, I have a girl here too. Met her in the army. That’s her right behind me. Her name is Jenny"

"So for Christmas break?"

"Yes"

"Well you’re getting on a plane on the 26th today is the 23rd, I don’t care if you go back to base or not"

I cock an attitude with him out of anger, "Yes Sir"

He punches me in the face "I’m not sir to you, I’m your father, and you will respect me as so! And I fucking work for a living you do not call me Sir! Do we understand each other?"

I cock the same attitude again "Yes Father."

He slaps me to no effect other than a loud crack on my face I don’t even give him the pleasure of him moving my face, Gamma takes over my mind again, "Is that all you have for me? I remember I used to be afraid of you. What happened? Father." 

He’s getting ready to physically punish me further. And my mom senses something in me "Jose! don’t! He has the training to kill you, don’t make him show you first hand. It would already be his pleasure. He’s not the little boy you remember."

She invites me into the living room where I just enjoy spending the day with her again and Jenny kicked my dad in the nuts every time he hit on her, it made me laugh and smile watching him in pain. My dad immediately left for the gym after the sixth time, he went for a jog from frustration not getting laid by her.

She wanted to see Chicago so I took her out, my mom gave me 60$ and let me use her car. We just hung out there on the beach even though it was closed we held hands in the unseasonably warm winter almost 35 degrees and a dusting of snow a white mist over the sand and walked around there and I stole a kiss from her that made her blush. We took a horse carriage ride just to see the city. It didn’t smell very pleasant but we made a Christmas song and her idea of the best date come true.

My parents decided to give me alone time with her since I was on a vacation from the army and when I came back home from my date with her there was a note on the dining room table from my dad, "if you’re going to be a smartass and randomly arrive home, we’re going to be smart right back and abandon you in the house like we used to. We’re coming back January 5th, you better be fucking gone by then!"

Right under was my mom’s response "we want a vacation and we’re going on a cruise be safe honey and there are condoms in your room, make sure they don’t have holes in them first before using them. I think your dad might have done something to them to make you have kids."

Love: Mom and Dad

I had Jenny drop me off at O’Hare on the 3rd of January to leave on someone else’s money. She didn’t want me to leave but I knew I had to. I gave her one last kiss goodbye, her eyes teared up, she was barely keeping it together.

Next Chapter: Chapter 16: March 29, 2009: L