"Hey Mrs. Sherwood." Hailey said as she was greeted at the door by her long time boyfriend's mother.
"Oh hello Hailey, how are you?" Denise Sherwood couldn't be happier with her son's pick in a girlfriend. Despite Jeremy's past, Hailey knew Jeremy had changed and loved him for who he was, in spite of his past.
"I'm really good, how are you, how's the hospital?" Hailey followed Denise in through the kitchen where she stood smiling; Hailey had been doing that most of the time Denise had known her, smiling.
"Pretty good myself, and the hospital is great. It's a lot of work and a lot of long hours, but I really love what I do. How's school going for you?" Denise was excited for Hailey because the day Jeremy enlisted; Hailey was accepted into her top choice school.
"It's great. I love the fact that I can still live and work on the base while going to school full-time. I know my father would have me home less, but I think deep inside of him he realizes that he needs me, otherwise he would fall apart." Hailey's father was second only to Post Commander Holden, and when Hailey's mother split a year and a half ago, Hailey had stepped in as dutiful "army wife" even though she was just the daughter. Jeremy had been with Hailey throughout her parents divorce and what was meant to drive them apart only brought them closer.
"I know you're father knows he needs you, honey. It'll be okay." Denise laughed. "Jers not here right now, but I'm sure you already know that…" Denise said as she watched Hailey's face change.
"Yeah, I actually wanted to ask you something…" Denise nodded to let Hailey know to keep talking. "Is Jeremy really being deployed in a week?" Hailey's voice broke only for a second.
"He didn't tell you?" Denise started.
"I was helping my father yesterday when I saw the orders. Jeremy told me that he had something important to tell me tonight when we go out, but I never thought that it would be this… well big." Hailey knew all about deployment, her father was active for a long time before settling here. For Jeremy to be leaving though… "I know he's army, I'm not complaining about that, but I'm a little afraid for him."
"I know you are Hailey, but it'll be okay. I'm sure Jer will tell you tonight, it's going to be just as hard for him." Denise smiled at Hailey. She felt the same way every time Frank left. And now that things were uneasy in their marriage, Denise was more worried about him going off to war.
"It'll be harder for him, I thin, I mean I get to stay home and go to school while he goes…" For a brief moment, Hailey could not speak. "to war." She finished quietly. She had seen her father leave several times before, but somehow, all this was different.
"Oh Hailey, we'll get through it." Denise knew there were very little words that she could say to any woman whose love was going off to war.
Glancing at the clock behind Denise's head, Hailey realized she was going to be late for her date if she didn't get home soon. "Thanks Mrs. Sherwood. I should probably get going though, otherwise Jer is going to be waiting for me, and we have reservations tonight." Hailey smiled and for the first time since she and Denise had begun their conversation, Denise could see the love in Hailey's eyes.
"Well, you guys have fun tonight. Live it all up while you can. I know Jeremy loves you honey." Denise hugged Hailey at the door and choked up slightly.
"You should know I love him too, very much so." Hailey smiled and left. She began walking down the street toward the main base when she saw Jeremy come running toward his house.
"Excuse me M'am." Jeremy called as he neared her. "But a solider should be standing at a beautiful woman's, like yourself, side."
"Well, I just happen to be…" Hailey couldn't finish her sentence before Jeremy's lips found hers. As Hailey's arms rose above her head and around Jeremy's neck, he fingers locking soundly in place, a loud cough was heard behind them.
"Sherwood. You still have a mile left." Trevor LeBlanc was standing behind Jeremy, an amused expression on his face.
"Yes, sir." Jeremy started to jog away. "Bye Baby, I'll see you in an hour and a half. Love ya!" Hailey smiled.
"You heard?" Trevor spoke to Hailey.
"Uh yeah, my dad told me. How'd you know?" Hailey asked, she and Trevor had their ups and downs since he's enlisted, but he was the closet thing to a brother Hailey had.
"You're face. Roxy looks like that when I'm about to deploy." Hailey shook her head and walked away. Trevor let her go in peace, letting her have her own space.
Hailey walked into the front door of her house, her father of course, was with General Holden. Walking up the stairs to her bedroom, Hailey began to wonder what she would do when Jeremy was gone. Brushing it off quickly, she grabbed a halter top red cocktail dress with white polka dots a bra and thong had went to go shower. Afterwards, standing wrapped in a towel, scrunching her long blonde hair, Hailey looked at herself in the mirror. Smiling she knew what she would give Jeremy to remind him that she was always thinking about him. As soon as she had gotten ready and was slipping on her heels, she heard the door open and her father's voice.
"Good Evening General Pearce. How are you?" Jeremy sounded amazing.
"I'm good Jeremy. Hold on, let me call up to Hailey." At the sound of her name, Hailey grabbed her purse and began the descent down the stairs.