Sylia Stingray walked down the halls of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, it was not a task she was found any joy out of… but it was something she had to do and it wasn't out a sense of obligation. But it was for the man who was there during the tough times when she needed a friend. She was dreading this for a long time. Several years after Clayton stepped down as commander of GI Joe and announced his retirement; he was diagnosed with cancer, and extremely aggressive one. Despite everything else, commanding the GI Joe team and working on a doctoral dissertation she found time to visit Clayton in the hospital. She was giving strong consideration of stepping down as commander of GI Joe and going into reserve status… the team didn't feel the same to her; everyone she knew either left to pursue private lives or died. She would probably stay in Army for a few more years as she was to be promoted to Lt. General just so she can retire at that rank.
Approaching Clayton's room, she found Dr. Carl Geer, Doc, conferring with several cancer doctors; from the looks on their faces, she gathered the news wasn't good. "I came as soon as I could, Doc," Sylia greeted, "How's Clayton?"
"Resting… all we can do is make him comfortable. The cancer got into his bone marrow."
"Damn."
"I'm sorry Sylia. I know you two were very close. He doesn't have much time left."
Steeling herself before entering his room, Sylia was reminded when her uncle dying; but this time she was alone and no one there for her. Taking in a calming deep breath she entered her friend's room. But the sight was impossible for her prepare for. A man she saw lead soldiers into battle, full of vitality… now a pale shadow of his former self… weak. Lifeless. Taking a seat, she placed it near Clayton's bedside and took his hand into her own. "Hello old friend."
Despite his weakness, he opened his eyes and focus on the woman he loved as a daughter. There still that same spark of pride in his eyes that he had for her. "Sylia… I knew you would come."
"I had to, Clayton… You've been there for me when I needed a friend. A father. What kind of friend would I have been if I'd just abandoned you?"
Looking to his protégé he smiled, "I'm very proud of you Sylia, seeing how far you come from that raw cadet I knew all those years ago, now you're up for Lt. General."
"Yes. But the proudest rank I ever held was 1st Lt. because you promoted me and I met people who had the most profound impact on my life. I'm a much better person than I was."
"I know." He smiled sadly, "I won't be around much longer Sylia, but I know you'll be all right."
"Yes. Clayton." Sylia was trying not succumb to tears as she was summing up the words she needed to say. "I want to thank you. For everything. Your years of friendship. Being my teacher. My mentor. A father. I love you, Clayton Abernathy."
"I…love… you… Sylia… Stingray…" Sylia looked up to the monitor to see them go flat line. Collapsing back into her chair, the realization that Clayton was gone. She fought hard not to cry, as she whispered:
"When the final taps is sounded and we lay aside life's cares,
And we do the last and glories parade, on Heaven's shining stairs,
And the angels bid us welcome and the harps begin to play,
We can draw a million canteen checks and spend them in a day,
It is then we'll hear St. Peter tell us loudly with a yell,
"Take a front seat you soldier men, you've done your hitch in Hell.""
Rising her feet she took one last look at her departed mentor. "You've done your hitch, Clayton may you rest in peace."
