Winter in Lima – Chapter 3

(I do not own Glee or any of the characters.)

The day after the big snowfall the sun was out with a vengeance, and the temperature was spring like. By late afternoon the snow had retreated back into a few patches here and there in the shadows of trees and buildings. Finn rescued his soggy scarf from what was left of their snowman in the front yard.

Rachel and Finn had spent their second snow day out of school on their computers trying to find colleges that still had an open applications deadlines. They were well into their second semester and most colleges had closed their dates for accepting applications before Christmas.

"It's no use," Finn said as they scanned all of the college listings for Ohio. There's nothing with an open application deadline for the fall for hundreds of miles and those that are are out of state. There's no way that Mom and Burt can afford out-of-state tuition," Finn frowned.

"Have you thought about starting at the community college this fall and then transferring?" Rachel asked.

"Mom and Burt would expect me to take business courses at night and run the tire store during the day. As generous as Burt's offer is, I can't see that kind of life making me happy. I'm not a paper pusher or a number cruncher and I'm certainly not assistant tire store manager material," Finn said biting his lip.

School re-opened the next day and Finn left home early to pick Rachel up on his way to school.

Instead of waiting for her in the drive-way, he parked and rang the door bell.

"It's still slippery and muddy out here, and I wanted you to get to the truck safely," Finn smiled when Rachel opened the door ready to go.

"Thank you Finn, you're so chivalrous!" Rachel beamed.

Finn smiled his dopey lop-sided smile before he looked down and noticed Rachel's shiny red patent leather ballet flats. He scooped her up, book bag and all and headed for his truck.

"I still don't have a clue what that word means," Finn smiled as he carried Rachel down the sidewalk bridal style to his truck.

"A perfect example of chivalrous is what you are doing right now. My knight in shining armor is carrying his lady to his chariot so she won't get her feet muddy. That's what chivalrous means."

"If you say so," Finn grinned. "I just didn't want you to fall on the left over ice or get your shiny shoes dirty," Finn said dumbly.

At school, Finn was met in the hallway by Puck who seemed to be waiting for him.

"Hey Dude, did you talk to your mom about joining the Army?" Finn asked his friend after Rachel had left for her French class.

"Yeah, I did and she wants to punch you in the face right after school. My nana and sister do too," Puck told Finn.

"Punch me in the face! Why?" Finn asked his friend as they made their way to their first period classes.

"She thinks that I'll get killed, and it'll be all your fault because this is your idea," Puck said while winking at an approaching cheerleader.

"Did you tell her that? You walked up to the recruiter's table the same time I did. I didn't twist your arm," Finn protested.

"Nah, I'm just kidding you. I talked to Mom and she isn't against the idea. She isn't for it either, but it's my decision and she accepts that."

"I wish that Mom and Rachel had taken the idea that well. Mom and Burt even got into an argument over it when Burt didn't back her up. It's been an awkward two days, but I think Mom's beginning to realize that I'm eighteen now and it's my decision."

"How did Rachel take the news?"

"She's been at my house for the last two days trying to find a college, any college that would take me. She has researched schools and the G.I. Bill the way Beiste researches football stats."

"Is that all you two have been up on your two day vacation from school?" Puck asked with a knowing grin.

"I don't have a clue what you're taking about," Finn smiled at his childhood friend.

The recruiters were still at the school so Finn and Puck asked to be excused from their study hall to talk to the Army recruiter again.

"Sergeant O'Rielly? Can we talk to you again about enlisting?" Finn asked as he approached the recruiting table set up in the corner of the school library.

"I remember you two. Its Finn isn't it? Finn Hudson? And you're Noah Puckerman," Sergeant O'Rielly said offering both young men a firm handshake. "What do you want to know?"

"Well I've talked to my Mom and step-dad and my girlfriend. My mom and Rachel, she's my girlfriend, are against it. They are afraid that I'm going to get killed. My mom freaked out the worst because we lost my dad in Desert Storm when I was a baby."

"I can certainly understand her reservations, son. We've lost many good American men and women in the Middle East since all of this began," Sergeant O'Rielly said to Finn while offering Finn a sympathetic look. "My condolences to you and your mother from a fellow soldier."

"Thank you sir, but could you tell us some more about our options?" Finn asked the recruiter.

When Finn and Puck had finished talking with Sergeant O'Rielly, they had missed all of their study hall, their lunch period, and half of Glee rehearsal.

"Where have you been?" Rachel whispered as Finn slipped into his seat beside her. "Mr. Schue has been waiting for us to present our duet ideas for Regionals."

"We've been talking with the recruiter, Rachel. Come over for dinner tonight, and I'll tell all of you about it at one time," Finn whispered as Mr. Schue introduced the next assignment.

Finn called his mother on the way home, "Mom, can Rachel come over for dinner if we fixed it? I'd like to talk to all of you at once. It's important," Finn asked his mother.

"It's okay with her if it's okay with your dads. We can swing by the market if you have anything particular in mind," Finn asked Rachel as he drove out of the school parking lot.

"I just wish that you would tell me what this is all about," Rachel asked giving Finn a worried look.

"Don't look so sad," I think I've made up my mind about what I want to do, and it feels good to have a plan," Finn smiled at his girlfriend while squeezing her hand.

Dinner was a rather quiet affair. Everyone knew that there was an elephant in the room, but didn't mention it until Finn gathered all of them in the living room after dinner.

"Mom, Burt, Kurt, Rachel, as you know I've been struggling with what to do with my life after graduation. Ohio State didn't want me, and all of the college applications that I sent out have been rejected. I appreciate Burt's offer to help me pay for community college, and the faith in me to not bankrupt the business while he and Mom are away. But I'm eighteen, and it's time for me to stand on my own two feet."

"Puck and I spent a long time with the Army recruiter today trying to figure out our options. If we decide to sign up, we can postpone the day that we report for duty until August after Rachel leaves for college. Rachel, we can have the whole summer together."

"The recruiter said that we would probably do our basic combat training at Fort Jackson near Columbia, South Carolina. After that Puck and I would chose what we wanted to do for our Advanced Individual Training and go from there.

"And you're going to do this just like that?" Carole cried before she buried her face in her hands and ran out of the room.

"Does the recruiter think that you and Puck can stay together?" Burt asked. "I'd feel better about this if you had a buddy with you."

"He can't promise anything, but he doesn't see any reason why not. Burt, could you talk to Mom? I know that this is killing her, but I think that this something that I want to do," Finn asked his step-father.

"What about me? It's killing me too," Rachel said just above a whisper as her eyes filled with tears.

"I know Baby," Finn said as he pulled Rachel into his lap. I'll get to come home on leave. It's only going to be for two years. Three years max. Then I can come home, start my education, and we'll have the rest of our lives after that."

"What if you don't come home?" Rachel whispered into his shirt.

"I will Baby. I promise you that I will make it back to you."

-/-

Dear Readers,

I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time and reviewed this story and/or added it to their alert lists. Thank you, Whistler Nights