July 23rd, 1968
Acton, Indiana.
Jake looked up from his journal and stared outside the window of his room at his parent's farm, seeing the sun reflecting off the lake and the birds in the woods nearby are chirping.
'What did I do wrong Sara? Why didn't you just tell me the truth?' Meyer thought as he flipped back to look at a random page.
July 2nd, 1968
Sara and I had a little fun at the Marion County Fairgrounds today.
She and mom were showing the horses and unsurprisingly, our horses received the blue ribbon.
And after a quick snack, we took a walk and talked about music.
She was still a little irritated at the tie with the shooting match yesterday, but she was joyful that I won the elephant for her at the shooting gallery...
With tears in his eyes, the Marine remembers that time he spent with her at the fair. It got even worse when the radio began playing the song 'Sweet Caroline'.
Where it began
I can't begin to knowin'
But than I know it's growing strong
Was in the spring
And spring became the summer
Who'd believe you'd come along?
Hands, touchin' hands
Reaching out
Touching me
Touching you
Private First Class Jacob Meyer-United States Marine Corps.
Marion County Fairgrounds. Wanamaker, Indiana.
July 2nd, 1968 -2:48 PM
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe it never would
But now I
Look at the night
And it don't seem so lonely
We fill it up with only two
And when I hurt
Hurtin' runs off my shoulder
How can I hurt when holding you
Warm, touchin' warm
Reachin' out
Touchin' me
Touchin' you
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seem so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would
Oh, no, no
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would
Sweet Caroline
"Wow." Sara smiled. "I never knew that you Earthlings had such excellent tastes in music."
"So what's your music like?"
"None of them have words for one thing..."
"Well, we got some of that too...Although that is mainly classical music."
"Why am I'm not surprised." She sarcastically muttered as the couple near the various carnival game booths like ring tosses, ring the mallets, wac-a-moles, and water guns. The Corellian however stared at a particular stand with a few rifles and simulated targets.
Jake turned to see what Sara was looking at and sees a stuffed Elephant at a Shooting Gallery and smirked. "You want that Elephant, babe?
"Is that what's it called. I thought it was an Ortolan."
"An Orto-whata?"
"Nevermind."
Meyer chuckled at her embarrassed expression as they headed to the gallery.
'She's awfully cute with red cheeks.'Jake simpered before the operator the cost."Sir? How much for the game?"
"It's only a nickel."
The farmboy preceded to pull out a coin before handing it to the owner and the man grabbed a rifle from the rack."Here you go son. Make sure you take your time and hit all the targets."
Jake aimed down the sights as the operator granted his advice and the off duty Marine nodded in sanctification. The man started the game and rows of metal ducks began moving at a rapid pace, but not fast enough. The Leatherneck slowly lead the .22 caliber pump action rifle ahead of each duck, exhaled slowly, and carefully squeezed the trigger. The Winchester Model 62 held fourteen shots of .22LR total and Meyer managed to place hits on all fourteen targets.
"How?"The owner questioned.
"I'm just a good shot." Jake boasted. "Here you are Sara. Your elephant as promised."He winked.
"You sure know how to impress me."She beams and leaning in for a kiss before becoming annoyed at his arrogance moments ago."Also please remind me later to challenge you in a rematch."
"You're on."
'We never had that rematch.' Jake sniffled. The pleasant memories seem to be fading away after the incident and he still wasn't sure if he still loves her or not.
The depressed man now listened to the rest of the song as it played.
But now I
Look at the night
And it don't seem so lonely
We fill it up with only two
And when I hurt
Hurtin' runs off my shoulder
How can I hurt when holding you
Warm, touchin' warm
Reachin' out
Touchin' me
Touchin' you
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seem so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would
Oh, no, no
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would
Sweet Caroline
'She did say that was one of the best songs she has ever listened to.' Meyer brooded as he picked up a device and watch it again for the fiftieth or so time.
"Jake... I do not know how well you are going to take this, but I'm sorry... I'm not the woman that you know and I'm so sorry...I'm Sergeant Sara Kelrein of the Imperial Army and I was chosen for an undercover assignment to infiltrate the Republic Military...I still have feelings for you Jake, but I hope you understand... I love you."
'I'm going to need some more Scotch or Kirschwasser.'
