Chapter Three- The General
"Hello Uncle… I mean General", Major Eckhart saluted a short balding man and then gave him a handshake and a small pleasant smile. "C'mon my boy, let's catch up shall we", General Eckhart smiled, and directed Major Eckhart to a bench outside his hut. "So, What's this I hear about this new kid that's causing havoc, what has she done" Major Eckhart looked at the ground, then replied "O, She is a very strong willed girl, who's just emotionally upset at the moment, she's done nothing wrong, Uncle" General Eckhart smirked a little " Did you comfort her?" Major Eckhart looked confused," Pardon, Uncle but what are you implying?" General Eckhart then stood up of the bench," Did you get any use of her when you two where in there, I heard from lieutenant Barnes that she is quite the beauty, If you don't want her then I can pass her on, I just thought you'd like first pick" by this time Major Eckhart was appalled, he simply held back from what he said and then replied, "I'm sorry uncle I didn't know I was to do something with her I was taking my task seriously" The general nudged Major Eckhart and then lowly said" Don't worry, you got tones of opportunities" he laughed, " c'mon let me met this wee lady" at this moment Major Eckhart just wanted to attack his uncle he found him so offensive and appalling he couldn't take it, but he held it back and went into the hut followed by his uncle.
In the hut General Eckhart removed his hat, not making the slightest regard that I was in there and simply sat down and his desk and looked at me from head to toe, he then looked at his nephew who was also starring at me then drew his attention back to me. "How old are you?" "18 years old, Sir", "healthy?", "As far as I'm aware", "Good, Good, What's this I hear about all the trouble that you caused on your first day here" I looked at Major Eckhart then the General, " I don't know Sir what have you heard?", General Eckhart leaned back in his chair, " I believe your quite the outspoken one", I remembered what Derek had said and how important what it was he told me, I thought of how he must be looking out for me so I then replied," Me, not really, I don't know what got into me, sir, I'm sorry and it will not happen again, would it be alright If I returned to my daily requirements now, sir" Derek then smiled with a sign of relief and turned to his uncle" May I take her too hut D now, General" Major Eckhart signaled for the door and I followed him out.
"So, what was your impression of my uncle?" Derek asked," I have a question… what's stuck up his butt?" Derek turned and looked at me and laughed, he had a good set of straight teeth that were white as snow that complimented his brilliant smile, a soldier then came up behind us. "What are you doing, Sir?" He asked, Derek's smile faded, and he turned to face the soldier," nothing much, just general's order and showing this girl her bunk", the soldier circled me looking at me from head to toe, I felt dirty the way he looked at me with his eyes, like he was looking through the fabric, I felt belittled, " I don't mind sir taking her for you so you can go back to you office, I don't mind showing her, where she'll sleep" he said then winked at Derek, "No, that is quite alright you may continue what you were doing prior, I can handle this, C'mon, keep walking" Derek grabbed my arm and directed me in the direction of the huts, he was either angry at what that soldier had said or was trying to look tough for him, I was hoping it was both, and I slowly began to smile.
Derek didn't talk or look at me for the rest of the way, when he got to the hut; he stopped me and looked at me with guilt "I'm sorry, they will be like that around here, everyone deals with it, I will think of a way to get then to leave you alone, but for now your just going to have to ignore it men here, are lonely buggers that need something, you just can't let them have it." I smiled, " I grew up with 4 brothers I know how to handle the jokes and teases that they use to say, believe me I can handle that" I spoke without thinking realizing what happened earlier, " You mean they do more than what that" Derek looked at me with that same guilty look " Yes, they do lots more that's why I won't' you to watch out for yourself, I will also be keeping an eye out for you as I do others, so don't worry, Now get some sleep now Abegayle Good Night" he then took my hand in his, looked around, and gave it a small peck and shook it softly, then turned and left.