once again another chappy be sure to read and drop a review if you want.
Chapter 39
Once again, a few months pass on by here in the pit. It's close to Christmas time as once again I'm going to Strike's house to celebrate Christmas. This time I thought we were going to fly over this time around. But not at all, Strike apparently wanted to do that whole driving up to her house thing again. I sighed a bit inside about that, but I reluctantly agreed again.
The only difference this time around, was that I pitched in a few dollars so we could get a decent size car this time around. Driving in that compact sedan the last time gave me that claustrophobic kind of feel to it. So, for a few hundred dollars more we settle on a midsize SUV. Which kind of reminding me of the one that I was driving back in Fiji.
It was perfect enough space for our luggage, but also enough space in case one of us decided to take a nap in back seat area. At least the cool feature with this one, was that we got a satellite radio. And once again we were off from Tucson Arizona to Sliver Keep Iowa. I tried to encourage strike that we should take turns on the driving portions. Yet she just wanted to drive for the most part.
I couldn't really understand why, but I guess it's just something that she likes to do. Oddly enough for the most part of the trip we were a bit silent. We pulled into the same town that we landing the first time around in Oklahoma. For the most part Strike did look tired, but not as much as the last time around. The only major problem was that most of the Inn's were pretty much booked. Basically, there was some kind of convention in town. We searched for a good hour or two looking for something. Yet alas we really couldn't find anything.
I know for one that Strike didn't want to sleep in the car, so I volunteer myself to drive in her stead to the next town over. Once we got there, apparently that convention thing spread over to here too. We were pretty much on our last leg since it was getting late. Yet Strike did find one place that had a spare room. Once she gave me the thumbs up I parked the car and was about to get our stuff out, till Strike came over wanting to get some dinner. Naturally we decided on a 24-hour diner.
Like so many times before I get my usual cheese burger, fries, and soft drink. While Strike normally ate a salad. Just like a year ago, we ate in silence. Yet I kept thinking to myself that somehow this has to be somewhat special. So, I started took look over the diner at hand. I noticed one of those display dessert dishes they had on the counter in a glass case. So, I make the random excuse to Strike that I had to go to the rest room.
She didn't say much other than acknowledged me with a slight nod. With that I make way to wash my hands and maybe take a piss. When I came out I made sure that Strike still had her back turned. In a soft voice I asked what kind of pie this was to the waitress. She responded in kind that it was an apple pie. So, I asked her if I can get a good slice of it deliver to my table with the nice looking blonde. I see her look over to her and she asked me if I want it alamode. Of course, I asked her what was that. And she basically told me that means its served with couple of scopes of vanilla ice cream.
I didn't take too long to think about, so I reluctantly agreed. I quickly paid for it up front and went back to me seat. When I got back I noticed that Strike was nearly done with her salad. So, I continued to eat. When she got done Strike did start a small conversation with me. "Hey hurry up and finish ok, I'm a bit tired Mark."
"Sure, thing Strike."
Just then the waitress shows up with the dessert at hand and puts on the table. Immediately Strike opens up. "Um I'm sorry I didn't order this." The waitress was about to respond, when instead I jumped in.
"No, she didn't but I did." I see Strike turn her head towards me looking at me with a little bit of surprise.
"Oh," is all she said. "So, you got yourself some pie I with ice cream I see."
"Well yeah, I did but I got it mostly for you."
"For me," Strike said a bit confusingly. "Why for me, what's the occasion?"
"Well it's mostly as a thank you for inviting me over to celebrate Christmas with your family."" And maybe to let loose a bit, since you saying that I should."
"Oh, mark you don't have to do this but I do like the gesture."" Speaking of which it does smell nice and tasty. "" So, I tell you what mark, I'll have half and you should have half."
"But I bought it for you."
"Yes, you did, but I think you should enjoy it too."" It's not every day we get to eat some pie and ice cream." "Well at least not the sugary kind", strike added. I smiled back to strike agreeing with her.
Fifteen minutes later we are finally heading in to get some rest for the night. Strike went in first while I held my luggage not really paying any attention. When I came in I looked at the room at hand. Everything was ok, till I saw the one bed in the room. "Awe crap they must have made a mistake and gave us a single", I said out loud.
"Actually, mark I got to level with you." I looked at Strike with some my own tired eyes. "This was the only room they had left."
"Oh, I see then, well you should have the bed and I'll sleep on the floor or on this couch."
"Now hold on Mark I'm not going to let you sleep on the floor or on the couch."" Besides the bed is big enough for the both of us."
"Uh I don't know Strike if that's such a good idea. "'I think it gives the wrong impression."
"Wrong impression, no one's really going to say anything about this."" And I'm pretty sure you're going to act a bit more mature in front of me."
"Uh is that an order Strike?"
"It can be P.F.C., but I prefer that you just take my invite with some humility."
I stood there thinking about it, till I just accepted it. After all I'm tired too. "All right Strike I'll go along with your idea." Strike straightens her stance while smiling to Mark with much approval.
"Good, now why don't you get yourself ready for bed." "I'll even let you use the bath room first."
I wasted no time on my part. I just tuck my bags on my side of the room. I went ahead and got my toiletries ready. I did the normal stuff like brush my teeth and strip down to my boxers and t-shirt. I was thinking about taking a shower beforehand, but decided to do it in the morning instead. I'm pretty sure Strike wants to get to bed quick.
Once I got out I made it to my side of the queen size bed. I was about to say that I was done to Strike, when instead she got up quick went to the bath room. For the most part I was just sitting there semi tucked in waiting up on Strike. The only difference was that Strike took a bit longer in there than me. But then again it must be a chick sort of thing I suppose.
So, I just sat there not really paying attention to anything. That is until I heard Strike saying something out loud. "I don't know about you Mark, but I'm ready to hit the hay." When she said that I looked up only to notice a semi half naked lady standing up and stretching herself out.
When I looked up to Strike, she seemed to be stretching her neck to onside as her arm did cover her eyes. But that's not what drew my attention towards her. No, it was the fact that I could really see her shapely body, Strike wore some shorts of her own, while she sported an athletic bra I think.
I could see her well developed six pack abs, along with her muscular and toned arms and legs. As for her dirty blonde hair, it was completely down. She had about the same length that Cover girl has. Which goes down almost half way down her backside. To me I think she should wear her hair like that more often. Instead of wearing it in a tight pony tail.
As I sat there admiring such a beautiful woman before me, I didn't really notice that Strike was trying to get my attention.
Strike for the most part stretched herself as she got the final kinks from her neck. Only to notice that mark is sort of looking at her a bit funny. At first, she thought he was looking towards somewhere else.
So, she calls to him." Uh Mark what is it?" She says that a couple of times, till it finally dawns on her that he is looking at her directly. So, Strike attempts to get Marks attention at least one more time. "Uh Mark, Mark…Maaark, earth to Mark come in Mark." Well that didn't work, looks like I'm going to have to go with plan B. Strike takes one of her socks and rolls it up into a tight ball. She then lobs it a bit hard to Marks head.
Of course, for mark once he got hit in the head with a semi soft ball that's when he was brought back down to earth. "What, what is it Strike, what's wrong."
"I should be asking you the same thing."" By the way what are you looking at?"
Mark knew instantly that jig was up when Strike said that out loud, in a devilish kind of way. That he had been caught red handed in checking out Strike. So, he does his best to play it off as if it was nothing. "Uh nothing Strike nothing at all."" Look I'm tried so um good night."
Mark immediately tucks himself underneath the sheets and blankets hoping that Strike would buy his pathetic attempt at hiding his embarrassment.
It seemed to work only for a few seconds, when he heard footsteps coming towards his direction on his side of the bed. He then felt the sheets coming undone that covered him as Strike started to peel them away. As a last option Mark get his pillow to cover his face. Alas Strike beats him to the punch as she snatches it away of him.
"You know Mark, if I didn't know better I say you were checking me out," Strike said teasingly.
"Ok ok you got me Strike, I'm sorry ok please don't tear me a new one Mark said franticly."
"Now why would I do that?"
"I don't know maybe it's because you're a girl and you probably don't like to be treated like that."
"Hmm well you got a point there, but I don't mind the attention Mark." "So, did you like what see," as Strike was smiling to him.
Umm. I don't think this a really appropriate conversation that we should be having."
"What's wrong, am I not attractive?"
"Uh no that's not what I meant."" I mean you are very attractive Strike."" I'm sorry I should have been more mature about it," Mark said apological while bowing his head down in shame.
Strike then and there thought it would be wise to not tease Mark any further on the subject at hand. So, she gently pushes Mark's chin up. "Hey its ok Mark, I'm sorry if I put you in an uncomfortable position." "But I don't mind the attention."" So why don't we get a good night's sleep ok." Mark just nodded in agreement. Soon Strike set the heater up and got on her side of the bed. We then exchange good nights to each other. It didn't take long for sleep to come easily for the both of them.
Well into the night at hand both Strike and Mark are having a pleasant sleep. The only difference is that Strike would often come out of her slumber. Which in her case was normal, since her roomie Lady Jaye was in fact a snorer of sorts. But usually at around 02:00 she wakes herself up and get a glass water like her parents would often do when she was a little girl. Heck the ritual would pass on even to her adult stage in life.
So, as it goes Strike would stir herself awake, as she made her way to the bath room. Once she was satisfied with her drink, she started to make her way back to bed. Only she was a bit more careful since she doesn't want to wake up her sleeping buddy.
Even in the semi darkness of the room she could see Mark sleeping very peacefully into the night. Strike pauses for a bit while watching mark sleep. She could only sit there smiling towards him. After all she was laughing inside while catching mark checking her out. In a way she was just as guilty, as she would often check mark out when he was not looking.
Yet her own tiredness was catching up to her as she too was about to fall asleep. That is until he notices some twitches from Mark in the darkness. Upon further inspection. Strike came under the conclusion that Mark was dreaming. Just like before on the last mission. Oh I hope it's a good dream Strike mutters to herself.
Again, she was about to fall asleep only to hear a few whimpers from Mark. Again, she sits herself up to watch mark as he was sleeping. Hmm somethings not right. She looks over him again, coming under the conclusion that Mark might be suffering some night terrors. He looked like he was crying, as he kept saying in his sleep come back, come back. It got to the point that in a way he was jerking a bit in bed.
Strike had two options from then on. Either wake him up and try to get him to open up about it or just ignore it. But then Strike thought about it for a few minutes. Maybe there was a third option. Whenever she was suffering from a bad dream, her parents would often comfort and embrace her to let her know that they can keep the monsters away.
That's it she thought I'll do the same for Mark. So, she gently put her arm around mark, while gently shushing him letting him know that everything's going to be alright. In a way it started to work, as Mark's whimpers started to fade away. Soon he was resting comfortably. Strike looked over to the clock letting her know that its now 03:15. Oh well I guess it took a little over an hour to get him to rest comfortably, I just hope he doesn't wake my ass up at 0500 to get me exercising again as Strike said to herself as hear eyes started to get drowsy.
The very next morning Mark started to get up on his own. He stretches himself only to look at the clock noticing that its now 0700. Awe crap I must have overslept. I can't believe I did that. Sigh well I guess its better late than never to get in some pt he thought to himself. So instantly he starts to do some sit-ups and pushups in the room, while being silent as a mouse. After all Strike was still fast asleep.
It didn't last long since Strike started to stir from her sleep from the moment that Mark left from the bed. "Hmm you're up early and what have I told you about doing pt on vacation," Strike said a bit tiredly.
"Well good morning to you Strike, and for your information, I'm only doing a light pt since we waked up a bit late."
"Late, what do you mean."
"Its 0715 Strike."
"Really well in that case I'll allow you to do your pt for fifteen minutes more."
"Only fifteen minutes how come?"
"Look Mark I would really like to get a head start on the road and I would really like to get to my home by nightfall."
"Well since you have put it that way, then I'll do as you ask."
After an hour or so, we both got dressed mostly in our civilian clothes, ate a small fast food breakfast, then checked out. And just like before we both alternated on the driving. After driving for about eight hours we were finally at Strikes house.
Of course, from then on, we started to call each other by our normal names. It wasn't long till I met her parents and T.J. As always, they welcome me with arms wide open. When I saw T.j. he didn't look all that much different. But then again, he is going through his adolescence. When he came over to me he offers is hand to me, which I took in good faith as a hand shake.
And as always Strikes mother lead me to the upstairs guest room. I started to settle in my stuff and then continue to look outside to watch the snow fall. It didn't last long since I heard a slight knock on my door. I went to go to answer it thinking that it must be Strike to check up on me. But once I opened the door it was T.J.
"Um hey there T.J., um what's up?"
"Hello Mr. Mark I was wondering if you wanted to come over to my room and play some video games with me?"
"Uh well isn't that something you would ask Angela do with you?"
"Well its just that Angela is not always interested in doing things like that with me," as T.J. started to look down a bit in sadness.
Mark picked it up rather quickly that all that T.J. wanted was to just hang for a bit. So, Mark reluctantly agrees. "You know what T.J., I would love play a few games with."" But the only problem is I really don't know how." In an instant T.j. looked up with hope in his eyes, only to reassure Mr. Mark that it's really easy.
"Don't worry about that Mr. Mark, I'll teach you how to play." Mark smiled back to TJ as he led him to his room.
In the meantime, Angela was mostly in the family room while taking a huge load off. After all she and Mark were on the road taking turns driving to get up here. She relaxed while slouching in her father's favorite chair. To her it really was a hectic year of uncertainty and stress from the pit. Yet in the end, it all turned out rather ok. Especially from the thought of her family losing the farm, to fighting Cobra. She keeps telling herself that she really needs a vacation. But who is she kidding here, she wouldn't really know where to go and she has to keep an eye on Mark. After all he can get in sorts of things and trouble if she's not there.
Angela once again just lays there with her eyes shut taking in the peaceful ambience. Yet it wasn't meant to be since her mother started to call out for her. "Angela…. Angela…, Angela, I need your help for a sec." Angela just sighs to herself, but answers none the less.
"I'm in the family room mom, what is it."
"Oh well I just need you to let TJ and Mark know that dinner is ready."
"All right I'm on my way," as Angela gets up a bit tiredly from her comfy spot.
She then goes up stairs and knocks on the first door the left, since that's Mark's room. Yet no answer. Of course, she takes quick peek to see if he's resting or watching snow fall. Yet he seems not to be in there. Huh, now where did Mark run off too, Angela mutters to herself. That is until she hears a faint laugh coming from TJ's room down the hall. So, she walks a bit stealthy to see what's he up too. Upon looking into TJ's room, she notices that TJ and Mark are playing some video games. She smiles to herself that TJ is really starting to accept Mark. She was about to interrupt them, when all of sudden TJ speaks up.
"You see I told you it would be easy."
"Yeah you were right." TJ then sighs a bit to himself, but also enough from Mark to hear him. "You ok TJ?"
"You know Mr. Mark, me and my sister used do things like this together." Mark then pauses the game.
"What you and Angela would play video games."
"It just wasn't video games, it was other things as well. "" Yet she's all grown up now and wants to do other stuff as well without me. "" I blame myself for driving her away."
"Driving her away Mark said a bit confusingly."
"It's just that I want things to be like before, before she joined the army."" But knowing her she would rather hang out with people more her age, that's why I drove her away." Mark immediately puts the controller down only to embrace TJ.
"Hey don't say that ok, you know Angela loves you very much."
"Then why does she have to go away." Mark sat there thinking for a few seconds, but answered none the less.
"It's a part of growing up Tj."" Eventually we all leave the nest to strike our own path in life."" But that doesn't mean that you'll never see each other. "" What matters is the time we spend with each other that counts."" Now let me help you wipe those tears away."
Angela stood by the door hearing everything that TJ said out loud. She too was saddened to here her own little brother saying things like that. I can't believe that I've neglected him like that. I got to figure out a way to show him that were still pals. Angela then recollects her thoughts and starts to walk a few feet back only to call out to T.J and Mark that dinner is ready.
In an instant both of them came out wanting to get in some dinner. All in all, the diner was really pleasant to Mark. Ham and turkey with lots of sides. Naturally me and Angela talked a little bit about out training and what not to an extent. But none the less her family did seem a bit more eased up than the last time. And as always after dinner I would offer to help out, while Mrs. Baker would rebut it. Soon enough I hit the hay a bit early since I was tired from driving and all.
The next day came in and just like before I would wake up on my own before sunrise. It did my meager pt in my room, till Mrs. Baker came to the kitchen to start up the morning coffee. Just like before I would offer to shovel their driveway. The only difference this time around was that Mrs. Baker did show me how to use a snow blower. She only offered it to since she didn't want me to catch a cold if I was out too long. so I reluctantly took her advice.
Before long Angela starts to make her way down stairs to get her morning joe on. Of course, dressed in her signature Hawkeye p.j.'s "Good morning mom."
"Well good morning to you sweetie, would you like a cup?"
"Yeah sure why not." Angela took her cup of coffee with two sugars as she and her mother looked at Mark shoveling and moving snow. "Before you ask mom, he's going to turn 21 next year."
"I see and have you two done anything together?"
"Not yet, but I do catch him time to time checking me out." Angela's mother just chuckles a bit. "But I'm sure he is in no rush to sweep me off my feet yet."
"Oh, why would you say that?"
"I don't know, I think it's because he sorts of new to this as am I."
"Well I'm sure it will all work out in the end. "" Anyways I better get started on breakfast."
"I know that's my cue to go get him."
But before Angela was about to see her way out, that's when her dad came in saying good morning. "Well you're up early dad."
"Good morning Angela," Henry said. "Well it's just that I got to get an early start on some hay deliveries to some of livestock farms."
"Really I didn't know you had extra feed stock this year dad."
"Me neither, but since we got a huge relief from the bank, I've been in better spirits this year."" And as a positive reflection, I decided to harvest some of my fallow fields this year."
"Well you know what dad, can mark tag along to help you out in case you need it."
"Well if he wants too, I can always use the help."" I would make TJ do it, but he's not strong enough to handle the cubes own his own."
"Thanks dad I'll go let him know."
Angela wasted no time going out in the cold to give Mark the news, after all she had other plans for today. Especially with her little brother. Hoping that she could break the rift between them. She sees him not too far from the house as he is coming back with the snow blower in tow.
"Good morning Angela, did you sleep well?"
"Sure did…um I need a favor from you."
"A favor, well that's a first." "So, what is it then Angela."
"I was wondering that after breakfast, if you wouldn't mind helping my dad out with his feed stock deliveries?"
" Sure, Angela not a problem, are you coming along."
"Well actually I have some other plans. "" I really want to take this time to maybe hangout with TJ."
Mark smiles to Angela while putting his hand on her shoulder saying, "I think it wonderful that you would even want to spend time with your little brother."" So, I don't mind spending some time with your dad."
"Thanks Mark I really appreciate this."" So why don't you come on inside have breakfast and I'll break the news to my dad."
Once I put up the equipment, I made my way inside to warm up and have some breakfast. Before long Angela broke the news to her father. I really didn't know what to expect from her father. The only thing he told me to do was to put on some work clothes. I wasn't really too sure what that was, so I just went in my normal blacks. Black t-shirt and black camo trousers and boots. Angela was nice enough to lend me one of her heavy coats, and heavy work gloves.
I made extra sure to get in a hardy breakfast. Since the way Angela described about the work I was going to do, was rather hefty and hard. Especially with a lot of lifting. I didn't really mind at all. I finally told myself, that finally I'm going to get in a really good workout today. It wasn't too long, till me and Mr. Baker started to head on out to barn.