Bobby in the Army

It had been ten weeks since Bobby had gone off to Basic Training. And since then Hank and Peggy had received few letters of the process but from what they could tell it was hard on Bobby who found it both mentally and physically tough.

Cotton would stop by often in order to hear whatever he could about his Grandson's progress. The old soldier would hear what they told him but would then go into his rant about his old army days and how it toughened him up. Cotton beamed with pride as he lamented how Bobby would be as an Army soldier, Hank couldn't help but feel proud as well.

So then ten weeks went by and finally it was time for Bobby to come home. They received a letter of his return home and Hank decided it would be great to celebrate. And what better way to celebrate than with a BBQ.

So the Hill's yard was set up in a BBQ style fashion with a big sign over the garage that read 'Welcome Home Bobby'. And all of rainy street came together to help put the perfect welcoming party together.

And before long the young Bobby Hill did return home in the form of a yellow taxi. He was in his army green with the private insignia on his uniform. Everyone was happy to see Bobby especially his mother, father and grandfather. Peggy hugged him tight and Hank gave him a firm handshake.

Bobby then went off to talk with Joseph and Connie while Hank kept his attention on the grill with his friends by his side.

"So Bobby?" asked Connie as he stood between her and Joseph." What was Boot camp like?"

"Did they make you eat mud and poop?" asked Joseph quickly.

"They don't make you do that!" Connie said to him.

"As a matter of fact they do." Said Bobby causing both their heads to turn to him in shock." The easy days were after it rained." His two friends continued to look at him in shock, but Bobby couldn't hold the farce up any longer and let out a gut busting laugh.

"Bobby that's not true!" said Connie.

"You should have seen your faces." He laughed. Even after all this time he was still a joker, much to the liking of his two friends.

"Yep." Said Hank proudly as he looked at Bobby." That's my boy. A soldier in the United States Army." He looked over and saw Bobby in his uniform as he talked with his own friends. As Hank looked him over it appeared as if Bobby might have lost a bit of weight, no doubt due to the PT he was doing every day.

"A true sight to behold." Added Dale as he puffed his cigarette.

"I think you deserve a nice cold beer Hank." Said Bill as he dipped his can into the cooler." Here." He said pulling it out." The coldest one." He handed it off to Hank who opened it.

"Thank you Bill." He said taking a sip." I do hope you'll help Bobby out now." He pointed to his friend." Being an Army Sergeant I hope you can keep him on the right path."

"Oh don't you worry Hank." Said Bill with his hands on his stomach. "I'll keep an eye on Bobby. I'll watch him as if he was my own son." His comment thought sincere did make his friends somewhat uncomfortable and they all took a step away from him.

"HaHa!" laughed Cotton as he waddled over to the four." Look at Bobby there. He's the spitting image of yours truly. Brings me back to the good old days when I was gutting Tojo's in the Okinawa." At that moment Bobby came walking over." Looking Good Boy!" said Cotton giving Bobby a strong slap on the back.

"Thanks Grandpa." Said Bobby as he straightened himself out from the hit. Then he turned to his dad." Hey dad, I was wondering. Since I did just get back from Boot Camp and this is a celebration I was wondering if I could have a beer." Everyone turned and looked at Hank.

"Sorry son." He said shaking his head." You may be in the service but your still only 18."

"C'mon Dad." Bobby said with a smile." This is my party after all."

"Sorry son, but the laws the law." Bobby nodded his head defeated and walked away as Hank turned back and began talking to his friends. But then Bobby felt a tug on his shoulder. He turned around and there was his Grandfather handing him a cold Alamo Beer.

"There you go boy." He said as he did so." Drink to your heart's content." Cotton slammed the beer in his own hand against Bobby's and then drank." You made the right decision boy, joining the Army. In no time you'll be gutting your own brand of Tojo's."

"That won't really happen will it Grandpa?" asked Bobby.

"You joined the Army to fight boy." Said Cotton as he pulled up a chair and sat down. Bobby did the same. "And that's what your gonna do. You and your own fatty, stinkies and Brooklyn's." Bobby looked frightened so his Grandfather continued." The Army is close quarters fighting. You'll meet your enemy eye to eye and you'll have to kill them. It'll either be them or you." And that frightened Bobby most of all. He had hoped to be stationed here in Fort Blanca with Mr. Dauterive not miles away from home fighting.

Long after the party was done and everyone had returned home Bobby was still around. He had helped his father put everything away and had seen his Grandfather drive back to Houston. He stood in the alley alone with his thoughts for the first time. He could not help but keep thinking back to what his Grandfather had said and it caused his knees to shake.

"Bobby." Said a light voice. He looked over and saw Connie poking her head over the edge of her fence. Then she walked out into his full view. He was speechless as he saw her so she spoke when he wouldn't." What are you doing out here?"

"Hm." He responded at first." Thinking." He turned and looked forward, gazing over the rooftops at the retreating sun.

"About what?" she asked as she walked out and stood next to him. But Bobby could not answer. He'd taken his Grandfather's words to heart. What if he would fight and die overseas. He'd never get to return home again. Never be able to see his mother and father again, or play with Joseph. He turned now and looked at Connie fully. She had been his longest relationship, sure there were other girls but she was different from all the rest. And as he looked at her now he felt the same way about her like he had all lose years ago.

"Khan Junior!" called a familiar voice that caused both Connie and Bobby's heads to turn.

"There's my dad." Connie said with a chuckle." I'll see you later, okay Bobby." And before the young private could say anything Connie turned and walked off. Then he was left alone with himself in the sunset.

Little did he know that was the last time he'd see Connie before he got deployed. It was only a few more days before he received his orders from the higher ups. He was put into Army's 7th Cavalry Division, a combat division. Then he was put on a plane and sent to Camp Eggers in Afghanistan.

And this is when Bobby's worst fears were realized. He hadn't been there more than 3 days and he began hearing the worst rumors imaginable.

Every day on patrol he was afraid he'd never get back home. Convoys were attacked with rockets destroying the trucks. It wasn't even safe to walk on the ground due to a land mind being there. Even in his base where he thought he was the most safe they came under fire. In the night there would be firefights or even gas attacks.

Bobby had already seen nearly a dozen of his fellow soldiers die in firefights or explosions. And despite his desperate desire to be home he was still stuck there. He didn't think he'd see Joseph, his Grandfather, his parents or Connie ever again. And due to that stress he began eating a lot more causing him to look more like his husky younger self again. This happen for about 6 months.

And then she came into his life.