Chapter 7: Discharged
Penn Station, New York City. Outside the station sitting on a bench was an Asian man smoking a cigarette while wearing a green Marine Corps dress uniform, with dozens of ribbons pinned on his chest, and a Master Gunnery Sergeant patch on each arm.
While he was passing, the time smoking his cigarette a man comes and sits down next to him. "Where you coming back from son?" asked the older gentleman. The Asian man answers, "Persian Gulf sir and the Asian man glances at the globe and anchor tattoo on the older gentleman's arm and asks, "What about you, where did you serve?" "I was in Vietnam, stationed in Khe Sanh" answered the older gentleman. He proceeds to look around at the people passing by, "(SIGH) These people just don't get it. We fight for their freedom with blood, sweat, and tears, and all they do is question are methods of giving it to them" said the older man.
"Well… it's a thankless job but… we all gotta do are part" said the Asian man. "Yeah… but it still would be nice to get a little recognition occasionally… You stay out of trouble now son" said the older gentleman. "I'll do my best sir" said the Asian man. With that the older gentleman proceeded to stand and salute the Asian man and started to walk away.
A few minutes later a black SUV pulls up in front of the train station and another Asian man gets out holding two beer bottles and walks toward the man sitting on the bench. "Hey man how's it going Rocky boy" the man said as he hugged Rock.
"The guy's name was Jackie, good guy. After I was initiated into the Triad he joined shortly afterwards as a new blood. After working together for so long we were as close as brothers. And when he heard about my deployment he was devastated. While I was gone, he's been holding down the fort for me."
"Damn Rock, I could barely wrap my arms around you" said Jackie. "Well I have been working out" joked Rock. "I'll say, damn I bet those hajjis turn and ran the other direction when they saw you comin huh? And look at all those stripes, damn what are you a captain a somethin'?" said Jackie. "Well never mind come on let's go see Uncle Lee and your mother."
Rock and Jackie drove through the city chatting and drinking until they made it to Chinatown. Soon they stopped in front of Rock's father's old noodle shop and Rock was relieved to know that it was still there and in pristine condition since he left. As they entered the building the walked up the stairs and into the guest room.
"Hey everyone… look who I found hangin' around the train station" Jackie said and everybody proceeded to welcome Rock with glee. But then Uncle Lee entered the room, "(SIGH) Jackie I told you to go and pick Rokuro Okajima… not the big gorilla who ate him" joked Uncle Lee. "Well damn old man, I'm glad to see that you still got your wit" joked Rock. Rock and Lee proceeded to give each other a hug and Lee said "Well let's not just stand here all day… let's get SHIT-FACED!"
"With that we partied the rest of the day. I don't think I ever drank as much as I did that night. And I don't think I was happier than that moment right there. But little did I know… that my life was going to take another unexpected turn."