Reality Check

Finn was finishing up packing. He was worried yesterday when Noah did not meet up with him and some of the other guys for dinner last night. He thought he might've changed his mind, got scared and jump ship to head up to Canada or something. When he got back to the hotel last night, there was only a message from Noah, saying that he'll be back in the morning. Noah returned to their room shortly after dawn. Finn woke up to Noah trying to tiptoe his way around the room, but tripped on a shoe on the floor. Noah explained to him what happened between him and Allie. For a second, Finn thought he was still drunk or was dreaming.

He thought back to last year and remembered how annoying Noah was. For weeks after Allie left, it was nothing but her on his mind and in every conversation. Just when he thought Noah had finally gotten over her, she came storming back in. Finn could picture it now, on the fields in Europe, they would camp around a fire and Noah would just talk about Allie all night and then the whole unit would get sick of hearing the same story for the millionth time and would pray for the Nazi's to come and attack. He laughed at the thought, but he felt bad for him though. It was partly his fault, he had helped introduce them to each other. But in a way, he envied Noah. He found a girl that was as much crazy for him as he was of her.

Noah returned to the room after phoning his dad to say bye.

"How'd the old man take it?"

"Same as yours.. wish he was here to send me off.. "

"Are you done packing?"

"Almost.. damit it Finn, I don't wanna go…just my luck, I can't believe the timing."

"It's always happens that way doesn't it? The biggest city in the country, what were the odds of you two bumping into each other."

"It's faith I tell you."

"Noah, I hate to be blunt like this, but I watched you for a year sulk over Allie.. and she's a great girl.. and I'm glad she wasn't a bitch for not writing you back… but you gotta face reality man… look before you say anything .. I know."

"But.."

"Not buts, now is the time to get your head straight.. this aint boot camp anymore."

"But Finn, I love.. we finally have our chance and now.."

"Hey.. remember why we left Seabrook?"

"As I recalled, you said there were more girls and more money to be made in Atlanta."

"Oh yeah, haha.. but not that.. the other one.. to start a new life.. clean.. new.. and you were doing so good.. so good.. don't blow it now."

"I've found my new life.. its with Allie." Noah bowed his head down. Finn looked at Noah and saw how sad and torn up inside he was. Finn sat down next to him and put his hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, look.. at the risk of you becoming a wanted felon and a traitor.. think of it this way...you remember Nathan and Sam from camp.. the ones who were cousins?"

"The two Negro boys?"

"Yeah.. remember, they were only 17 years old .. you remember why they did lied about their age and enlisted?"

"..Cuz their families were lynched.."

"They would rather go to war than stay where they were… they had no money.. no family… they have nothing to go home to.. but us, we have our homes and family .. and now you have something else…someone else.. to come back to .. someone to fight for .. you're a lucky man Noah."

".. you're right.. daymit I hate it when you're right.."

"When am I ever wrong?"

"Every other time but now .. and only now."

"Haha, you wish.. now come on let's get a move on."

Author's Note: I had a very long day at work and school and even though it is late, I just needed to unwind, which is why I decided to add another chapter. This chapter was going to start off completely different but I remembered I had Finn and I never got to use him. This came along fairly quickly. Un-expectantly, it gave me a great chance to explore a little into their friendship and to bring up two issues I found lacking in the movie (but I realized that omitting them out would've detracted from the main story so it was good they left it out), which is WWII and the racism that existed at the time (esp. since the movie takes place in the south). The chapter I was originally going to tonight will be saved for next time. So stay tuned and thank to all who gave positive feedback.