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“We’ll manage.”
It weighed heavily on Jethro’s mind. On the deadline day to commit to a school, Jethro had the answer that would make them all be okay.
“Well? Where are you going?” asked his father.
“I’ve joined the Marine Corps,” he said standing straight and tall. His parents started to speak but he held up his hands. “I can get my degree while serving and more importantly, I can earn money to send home and help pay for the extra help. It’s perfect for all of us.”
The adults just stared at him, smiling. He always thought of others before he thought of himself. Always.
The dream was real. He got his degree, he sent home money. His second year as a Marine, his grandmother died. His fifth, his father drowned during a flood. In his ninth, his mother died from heartbreak. The farm was put up for sale and Jethro buried himself with his team.
“Hey, brother? You good?” asked Grayson.
“Yeah, man. I knew the farm would go sooner or later. I just thought it would be a lot later.”
“Well, if you need to take some leave, do it. It’s not just about your family, that last mission was rough on all of us.” Jethro nodded.
Five women had been taken by the Taliban. A mix of American, British, and Canadian. They’d been beaten, raped, and two were executed. Jethro carried the last three out of their hell hole on his back.
“Are they alright?” he asked. Grayson gripped his shoulder and nodded.
“They will be. For now, let’s talk about where we can all go next.”
CHAPTER TWO
“Heads up!” yelled Ham. “Mike just called and said they’re three men short today. They’re helping their own families clean up after the storm. Can we get three folks to step in?”
“I’ll go,” said Jethro. “I’ve had firefighter training.”
“Same,” said Sonny.
“Me three,” smirked Brunson.
“Fantastic,” nodded Ham. “Thanks, brothers.” Jethro smiled at him as the three men began to walk toward the door.
“Being called a brother in this place, here, with all of you? That’s all the payment I need.”
One year earlier…
“Aurora why on earth would you want to become a firefighter?” asked her mother. “You’re from a good family with important connections.”
“Are you listening to yourself, mother? Firefighters are good people that provide a service to our community. They are smart, educated, brave, and most have skills in other areas like medicine.”
“Well then become a doctor!” she screeched.
“Mother, I am not going to become a doctor,” said Aurora calmly. She was wearing a peach colored sundress sitting on the veranda of her family’s Garden District home. Her legs were crossed at the ankles, her hand’s gently folded in her lap.
“We know that what happened to you must have been challenging,” said her father.
“Challenging? Dad, just use the words. It was a horror show. Have you even said the words out loud? My daughter was raped. My daughter was nearly beaten to death.” Her mother gasped, clutching her precious pearls.
“Do not be vulgar and upset your mother,” said her father.
“Vulgar? What is wrong with the two of you? It was me that it happened to. Me. It is reality. My reality.”
Her parents said nothing, both taking a sip of their cocktails while the housekeeper set down the luncheon that was prepared.
“Thank you, Margie,” she smiled.
