Allegiance
Chapter 1
"Spencer! What on earth were you thinking?!" My mother always did have that way of making me feel special.
"Paula, calm down and listen to our daughter." I am always thankful to have my dad there, he has this way of seeing the good in people.
"How can you be so upset with me?" Now in my best Paula voice which she hate. "Oh Glen I'm so proud of you, it's so honorable, you're my hero!" This is what we all heard 2 years ago when my older brother came home and told my parents he enlisted.
"You're a girl. The army is not for girls!" My mother has really nice logic sometimes.
Sometimes I wish I had a tone other than smart-ass "Well fuck! Lets just drive down to the recruiter and say 'Sorry Sergeant, my mommy said I can't do the army thing because I'm a girl' that otta go over really well!"
"Spencer, mouth" My father trying to play peace keeper for the 829th time. Silence…Nice one Spence. Really got her attention with that one. Well I can tell from her face this is far from over.
"What about school Spence?" She's clamed down a bit, that's a good sign, "THAT'S ALL FUCKED NOW ISN'T IT"
"I never wanted to go to school mom, that was all your pushing. Not everyone wants to follow the 'Paula Carlin's how to guide to life'"
"Well it seems you have it all planned now don't you" and with that my mom stormed
out of the room, I'm sure it won't be the last fight we have until I leave in June. That's just how I roll. I wonder what my good old pop is thinking.
"Dad, I just want to make you guys proud"
"Oh hunny, I'll be proud of you not matter what…I just think it's been rough on your mom with Glen being deployed for the last 4 months"
"I know, it's just…I don't think mom will ever be happy with me"
"Spence" My dad gives me his best reassuring smile and half hug "although her reaction may not show it, she is very proud of you. You're our baby and it's just going to be tough seeing you go through the same things Glen has been going through."
"Thanks poppa"
"Now one more question…Have you told Aiden"
"Shit…Not yet"
My name is Spencer Carlin and I live in Leesburg Ohio. I just turned 18 a few months ago and thankfully I am graduating from high school in a few weeks. As of three days ago I was going to college in Columbus in the fall, which is a big change from my town, if you can call it that. My boyfriend Aiden and I had planned on going to the same school, but he is going on a basketball Scholarship. I was going to get away from small town Ohio. I don't know about anyone else but I am so over the corn and cows look we have going on around here. My older brother Glen enlisted two days after his 18th birthday and he told me it was the best decision he ever made.
We use to fight all the time but after his basic training and training school he was a new man. I've been staying in contact with him through email while he is deployed. Glen was the first person I talked to when I decided to enlist. He tried to tell me to go to school and do the ROTC program but I just don't think that's for me. That's when he told me to become a 31 Bravo. Better known as Military Police, he tried to convince me that this is the best job in the Army. However I like trouble sometimes and although I may not want to be like my mother, the job that sounded the best to me was a 68 Whiskey. Which is a health care specialist. If I was to go through school I would be in debt, I can be a medic and get paid right out of high school. Trust me, joining the Army is way better than college.
To: Oh2Good Spencer_Carlin
From: 1
Subject: re:re:re: How's the weather?
June 7th 2008
Spencie! Whud up baby sis. I miss you so much. I'm sorry that mom blew a fucking nut over you joining your big bro. I didn't think she would take it that bad. Well I am a little disappointed you didn't want to join the MP's. A medic is a pretty nice one though. Our medic said you'll have fun in AIT even though it is a bit longer than mine was. Shit happens. You gotta keep you're head up and hopefully your Battle Buddy isn't a Blue Falcon. Well you know how it is here. Gotta run! Love ya sis and good luck!
Glen
To: 1
From: Oh2Good Spencer_Carlin
Subject: re:re:re:re: How's the weather?
June 9th 2008
Thanks Glen! I miss you too. We are always really worried about you. I leave tomorrow. I'm not gonna lie, I am pretty nervous. I hope you didn't tell me any lies. I am excited too. I've been running everyday like you told me to. Mom still hasn't said much to me. I wish you could have been here for my graduation party. Aiden got so drunk he put a lampshade on his head and didn't wear anything else. Dad got pissed but it's not like it's nothing he hasn't seen before. ;0)
Well I'm going to have dinner with Dad, Mom, Aiden and his family tonight. I'll write to you when I can! Stay Safe and love you big bro!
Spence!
"Spence are you sure you don't need anything else?" My dad, such the boys scout.
"Glen said that everything I needed was on that list he gave me" Giving him an assuring smile "I'll be fine Poppa"
"Spence I'm going to miss you so much" with a quiver in his voice "Maybe it would be like if we were going to different schools" Ugh why is he so emotional!
"Yeah Right" Nice scoff mom I give it an eight but I've seen better
"Seriously mom. I'm leaving in an hour, could you try to be supportive for once"
"You know what…Maybe this will be good for you. You'll learn to respect your authority"
"Well maybe you can learn to let others live their life Paula"
"Enough!" Yikes…dad got pissed "Stop with the bickering. We are here to say goodbye to Spence"
"Sorry Dad"
"It's ok honey. I love you"
"I love you too Dad"
"I'm going to write you everyday. You'll be back to watch a few games won't you?"
"It depends what kind of leave that give me…people don't exactly get stationed in Ohio Aiden"
"I know, but we'll get through it. I love you"
"Love you too" Maybe I should not roll my eyes when I say it. He looks like I just kicked his puppy.
"Good luck Spencer"
"Thanks mom" I say dryly as my father gives us both a look
"I love you"
"Yeah you too" and with that I wave to my family as I walk to my recruiter's car. Next stop MEPS.