Where It All Began
Chapter 9-Russ Jeter (Present Day)
Russ was doing some PR work in Georgia, where he was raised. It brought a lot of memories back and he found himself renting a car and driving to where the house had been. It was now a parking lot and his family was long gone, but it brought back memories. Russ was standing, in his uniform, looking at the surrounding area, once filled with rundown houses, when a boy approached him.
"Mister; what kind of uniform is that?" The boy asked.
"I'm the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. I wear this uniform because I was working earlier. What's your name, Son?" Russ asked.
"Elijah." The boy answered.
"My name is Russ. Do you know what the Navy is?" Russ asked.
"Yeah, you have big ships." Elijah answered.
"That's right. Where are your parents?" Russ questioned.
"Dad's in jail and Mom's working. I just hang out." Elijah answered. Russ had heard many of the same stories over the years. Boys like Elijah always worried him, and Elijah was about twelve years old.
"I see. What's your favorite subject in school?" Russ asked.
"History. I like math too." Elijah admitted.
"Well, I like history too. Remember to always read. And here's my card. When you get old enough to join up, if you choose to, give that to the recruiter. It'll help out." Russ told him. He also handed him a challenge coin and gave him another smile.
"Really? I won't have to work at the factory?" Elijah asked.
"Not if you don't want to. I left here, over thirty years ago, and I never thought I'd make it so far. Now, I'm friends with the former Chief of Naval Operations, I've consulted on military affairs with the President and been all over the world. So, no; anything is possible, Elijah." Russ answered. He shook Elijah's hand and got back in his rental car. When he looked back, Elijah was still looking at the card like it was a piece of gold. Russ could only guess, but he suspected in a few years, he would be hearing from a recruiter.
Super short, but I felt it was pretty true to Russ' character. Also, I didn't do a chapter for Andrea, because I wasn't sure how to, since she was killed off in the series. (Still a little aggravated about that one.)