Linda was excited as she fixed her hair for her date. Despite the fact that her boyfriend was in his second year of college, and she was in her last year of high school, they had stuck together like glue. She knew each of them had gone out with other people since her boyfriend went to college, but each time they ended up calling each other, and saying how they only had eyes for them.
She smiled as she curled another piece of hair. She had a feeling tonight was going to bring a surprise. Hopefully a sparkly, diamond encrusted jewelry piece. Linda was still seventeen, but that didn't mean she couldn't dream.
"You sure about this, son?" Frank wondered as Danny told him his decision.
"Yes, sir. I'm very sure. I've thought a lot about it." Danny answered, conviction and determination in his voice. "I'm sure. I need to do this."
Frank nodded, "I'm guessing that you've already taken your physical?"
"Yes, sir."
"And you passed?"
"With flying colors. I wanna do this, Dad."
"Okay, go get ready for your date. I'll deal with your mother."
Danny smiled widely, "thanks, Dad!"
"So..." Linda picked at her escargot. "What're we doing here on a Tuesday night? We both should be studying for finals."
"Linda, I gotta talk to you about something." Danny put his fork down.
"What's wrong? It sounds serious," suddenly, she got the feeling it wasn't because of a diamond ring that he had called her.
"I've been thinkin'. And this... college thing..." he said 'college' like it was the worst thing in the world. "It just... College isn't my thing."
"Okay," Linda put her fork down in order to listen. "Go on."
"I've talked to my Dad and grandpa, and they feel like I'm doing the right thing. Maybe not the best thing, but the right thing. My Mom," he chuckled, "she's flippin' out right now, I'm sure if it."
"Danny, What're you talking about?"
"Linda..." Danny sighed, "I wanna join the marines."
"What? Why?"
"College isn't working out for me."
"So instead of studying hard and doing your best, you're giving up? You're bailing out? And for what? For guns and bombs and stuff you don't need to see."
"I'm already in, Linda. I passed the physical. They're gonna let me finish up the school year, but as soon as I'm done, I'm shipping out."
Linda stared at her plate with an odd expression on her face. "You're leaving?"
"In three weeks."
"You're parents are okay with this?"
"My Dad says 'go for it'. He's convincing my Mom right now."
"Why?"
"Why?"
"Why would somebody volunteer to fight?"
"Because they're fighting for their country. Like the pilgrims fought for their rights. Like how America fought for her right in the World Wars, the Revolution. We're gonna be helping people who deserve a better life. Who deserve not to die."
"So you die for them instead? How is that any better?" Linda whispered, almost in tears.
"Linda..."
"I'm sorry..." she shook her head. "I gotta go." Sniffling, she managed, "thanks for dinner," before walking out.
Linda cried almost as much as Mary Reagan when she and the Reagans had a 'goodbye and good luck' party for Danny. She still didn't understand why Danny would want to go to war. She hated war, why would someone deliberately put themselves in harm's way?
"Good bye, Danny," Linda sobbed into his neck, which was already soaking wet from his sister's and mother's tears. "Be safe."
"Always." He kissed Linda goodbye, grabbed his bags, and stopped at the bus. He smiled at his family and waved before getting on the bus.
"My baby..." Mary sobbed, Frank's strong arm around her.
"He'll be okay. Trust me."
A/n
So I have Danny going into the marines after two years of college. Because the time line on the show is so screwy, we really have no idea when he went. Only that it was Fallujah, and he went twice.
What do you think? Maybe this could be the start of a short story? Maybe a long book? About how Linda and the Reagans cope and deal with it. Lemme know in the comments!
