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“I’m really starting to wonder if you might actually be right in some weird, warped way.”
* * *
Early the next morning,Ian got up and put together his plans. He had one full day left with her before he was flying out. He had scheduled himself to get back a little early because of the arrival window – knowing he was going to need to sleep. The last time he flew home, he had arrived at four in the morning and had to report at seven. That day had been completely miserable.
Using the hotel scratch pad, he made a list of things that he wanted to accomplish today, and then realized that he needed to reach out to his parents. They would be devastated to learn he was in the States and hadn’t called… and next time he came home he would need to get a cell phone or something, because communication was going to be at the top of his list of things to do. Having a cell phone back at the barracks meant arguing with the other guys for the plug to charge it – and with zero reception - why bother?
He dug out one of his calling cards from his wallet – and called his mother. Maybe it was paranoia, but those phone cards were such a hot commodity that he always kept one hidden behind his military I.D. for emergencies… and would need to replace this one.
“Hey Ma? Hey – it’s Ian,” he began quickly, as he heard his mother answer.
“Ian! Oh, my goodness… Charlie? Honey! Ian is calling!” she yelped, and he laughed easily.
“Hey son, what brought this on – are you coming for a visit? How are you doing?” his dad rushed and he smiled, realizing that he couldn’t wait for them to meet June.
“Hi Dad,” he beamed. “Actually, don’t be mad – okay? I took a few days leave to come visit a friend here in Texas, and…”
“Texas? What for? Why didn’t you come home? You’ve got friends here and…”
“Dad,” he interrupted, knowing that this ten-minute calling card would be up much too soon. “I’ve met the best woman, and she lives here…”
“Ahhhh… now it makes sense.”
“What’s he saying, Charlie?”
“Ian’s got a girlfriend - now hang on, because I’m trying to listen,” his father hissed, and then cleared his throat. “So your girlfriend lives in Texas?”
“Dad,” he began and felt his throat tighten. “She’s amazing and it’s serious,” he admitted hoarsely, feeling his heart hammer wildly. “I hope it is. She’s beautiful, classy, oh-so smart, and just makes me feel like I could do anything, you know? I love the way she smiles at me, how she looks at me… and she’s the one.”
“I’m glad, Ian. I’m so glad,” His father chuckled easily. “When do we get to meet this girl?”
“I’m flying back to Ghazni tomorrow and I’ll try to see what I can do, but it might be a few months or longer…”
“When’s your re-enlistment? Are you coming back to the States? Is she going to go to where your stationed? Have you two talked about the future? Should I prep your mama for grandbabies…”
Ian laughed as his mother let out a shriek in the background.
“No Dad, well… I have a fur-baby that June is taking care of when I fly out. So, technically, Mom’s first grandchild is a tiny Yorkie that thinks she’s a sixty-pound Rottweiler - and her name is Gigi.”
“Are ya’ coming home, Ian?” his father pressed, and he sighed, knowing he’d skirted around that question for a reason.
“My re-enlistment is coming up, but we haven’t discussed it. I need to see what my options are, see what orders are coming up, and what we’re looking at. I’m thirty-two, and in six years I can get a pension… but six years feels like forever at this moment.”
“Six years will fly by though, son.”
“Maybe? Or it will feel like an eternity,” Ian admitted. “I need to see what the next several months feels like, what orders are there, and talk to June… because her input is everything.”
“You love her?”
“Oh man, Dad,” Ian sighed, laughing softly. “You have no idea.”
“Well, tell your girl that we can’t wait to meet her someday – and if she needs anything at all to call. Give her our information, okay?”
“Will do, Dad – and give Mom a big kiss for me.”
“I will, right after she smacks me for hogging the phone.”
Ian laughed and said his ‘goodbyes’ before hanging up. Glancing at the clock, he ripped off his notepad and smiled.
