So here's chapter two. It's a bit longer, and a bit awkward, but once we get a bit into the story and I can integrate Joann in better it should (keep your fingers crossed) all flow smoother.
Review please? :)
Instead of taking me to my barracks, Private Gordon took me to my brother, the one-and-only Lieutenant Herbert Sobel.
"Lieutenant Sobel, sir. Private Sobel reporting for duty." I said after he allowed me in.
"Joann what in God's name are you doing here?" he looked at me with a face plastered in horror.
"Joining the Paratroopers, Colonel Sink placed me in Easy."
"I will not tolerate this. I'm going to tell Colonel Sink you're leaving right this instant." My brother attempted to push past me, but I grabbed his arm and stopped him.
"Lieutenant Sobel, I wouldn't recommend that, I've earned the right to be here just like all the rest of the men."
"Fine. But do not expect me to baby you, little sister. If you wish to be like all the rest of the men, you will train like all the rest of the men. And let me make this very clear to you: no fraternizing with the men. The last thing this company needs is a pregnant woman."
I took a deep breath to keep myself from gritting my teeth. "That is way out of line, Lieutenant, and you know I would never do that."
My brother just brushed past me, and I let him, turning to leave behind him as well.
I followed him, still carrying my things, around a corner where the entire company was standing in the hot Georgia sun.
"You people are at the position of attention," he called out, and I watched as they all straightened at his words.
He went around berating the men for various things. I took notice of each of the men. The shortest was Private Perconte, caught with creases in his pants, George Luz was pretty short as well. Sergeant Lipton was found with loose threads on his chevrons. As I looked over each of the men, trying to pick out distinguishing physical features from under each one's helmet, while my dear brother looked over each man in search of any possible mistakes.
Lieutenant Sobel continued to shout at them, revoking all weekend passes before turning to me. "This is Private Sobel, and she-" he added an extra sneer to emphasize his hatred "-will be joining Easy." I began to turn red as all the men's eyes shifted to look at me.
"Change into your PT gear, we're running Curahee." Lieutenant Sobel finished, then turned to walk away.
"Second platoon—fall out," called one of the taller men, who after watching his men return to their barracks, turned to me. "Private Sobel, I'm Lieutenant Winters." I saluted him, and he reciprocated the action. "Let's go find you a bunk."
We walked into a room with rows of beds and men tying shoes. Lieutenant Winters found me an empty bunk at the end of the row to the left. Luckily, under Private Gordon's advice, I had already changed into my PT gear, the shortness of the shorts making me uncomfortable. I placed my bag-o-stuff on my bunk before following the men out the door.