by Kris Jacen
“Are you two okay?” he asked the boys as they got back to him. For once, neither of them had anything to say. They just nodded and started back to the group. Siah was going to need to talk to their parents before the weekend and let them know about the side visit.
§ § § §
After the unscheduled visit at Arlington, the tour finished with no other surprises. The children and chaperones seemed to have had a good trip. Siah so wanted to go back and explore on his own. Maybe he’d do that this weekend. A throat clearing at the door had him looking up.
Standing in his doorway was a soldier in camouflage, hat in hand; he had to be at least six feet with dark hair and a great tan. “Mister Kent? We met briefly in the fall? I’m Rafael Luna. You have Cam and Cal in your class?”
“Yes, I do. Please come in.” Siah waved the soldier in.
“What did my two get up to today? I was sure they would be good at Arlington. They’ve grown up around the military and unfortunately know soldiers die. Thought they’d show respect,” Mr. Luna said as he entered the classroom.
“Mister— wait I know that’s wrong. I met a first sergeant a few years ago. You’ve earned your rank and it should be recognized. I don’t know the stripes but you’ve got a lot of them there.”
Mr. Luna chuckled. “Thank you. Most address me as Sergeant Major. My rank is Command Sergeant Major. But please, call me Rafe. It’s what most, not in my inner circle, call me.” He held out his hand for Siah to shake.
“Well, then, Rafe. The boys were quite good today but there was something I wanted to mention to you. Apparently the other night, the boys overheard you and your wife talking about someone that died and was buried at Arlington.” Siah watched as the soldier took a deep breath.
“Yes, Debbie and I were talking the other night. I just found out one of my former soldiers died overseas and was placed in Arlington. He’d had dinner at our house several times. But I’m not sure what this has to do with the boys today?”
“They decided they needed to pay their respects and leave pennies on his grave. So they were slipping away after we left the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They didn’t get far before I noticed them about a hundred feet from the group.”
“They did what? Good Lord, how my wife doesn’t lose her mind with the two of them when I’m not around I’ll never know. Do they have an assignment to do or in-school discipline?” Rafe asked.
“Actually, I’m not punishing them. What they wanted to do? It’s admirable and they shouldn’t be punished for respecting someone that’s died for our country. And we talked about not leaving the group already. I wanted to mention it to you or your wife in case they were upset over the weekend. We took them to the gravesite and they spoke to the grave before leaving their pennies. They were quiet after we left. The other children and chaperones got to learn about the military tradition, so it was a learning experience on top of everything else today.”
Siah could see the sergeant major was moved by his boys and their actions. He started nodding before saying, “Thank you for letting us know. It’s hard to shield a military child from the realities they might lose a parent. Mine faced that and multiple times over with my close friends. The twins are tight with several ‘uncles’ that are also in the military and even though we don’t see each other as often as any of us would like, we’re family. In fact, one is coming to visit this weekend.”
“I was just thinking today that over the summer I needed to look into some training for working with military children. There’s so much I know they go through that I could never anticipate. Working this close to the capital, there are so many military children in the schools. I’m sure I’ll end up with more in my classroom over the years.”
“I’m sure Debs would have information for you. She’s been involved with so many different programs as I’ve moved up in the ranks. I’ll mention it to her for you.” Rafe looked at his watch and then back at Siah. “Okay, thank you again, Mister Kent. I better go grab the twins and get home to change. Taking them to see the Orioles tonight.”
“Siah, please.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“I prefer Siah.”
“Siah? I’m not sure why but for some reason the shortened version of your name seems familiar.” Luna shrugged. “I’m sure I’ll figure it out. Have a great weekend.” With a wave, he turned and left the room.
Chapter Two
Working weekends always sucked but this one shouldn’t be bad. Carter just had to be in uniform and direct people. How hard could it be? Granted, he didn’t have to be as perfect as one of the Tomb Guards but still being part of the Presidential Salute Battery was definitely an “on” assignment. Today, he was just filling in during ceremonies at Arlington. His sergeant had asked for volunteers to help out. Seems a stomach bug had hit the Old Guard.
Carter’s assignment for the day had been to just assist visitors that had gotten lost going to the different ceremonies for Memorial Day. Now it was almost the time the cemetery would close for the night, leaving just the Tomb Guards in the solemn location. Carter had thought about trying to become a Tomb Guard, wearing the badge would have set him aside for the rest of his career. But being an artilleryman put him out of the consideration—wrong military specialty.
As he was walking toward the checkpoint, Carter noticed a man sitting on the ground looking at something in his hands. Carter walked slowly up to the man, hoping he would notice his approach. When he got within three feet he stopped and stood there. Waiting.
Carter could see now he was closer he was engrossed in a book. Carter had figured out soon after being stationed with the unit that so many used different ways to process their grief. He wondered if the book was significant from the relationship the man had with the person buried here. The guy looked familiar for some reason; he appeared to be on the slender side with short dark hair. Carter wasn’t sure if he had a type but the guy had certainly caught his attention. He shook his head; checking out someone in their grief just didn’t sit well with Carter. Now if he ran into the guy outside of Arlington…
After a minute or two, Carter cleared his throat. The man jumped at least three feet in the air and somehow kept the scream Carter could tell he wanted to let out, inside.
“I’m sorry, sir, but the cemetery is getting ready to close for the evening. I don’t want to discount your grief but I do have to ask you to start to move toward the entry.” If there was one thing Carter had developed even further in the nine months he’d been here than his grandma had knocked into him was the skill to be polite.
“Ah! You startled me. I was reading about the history of Audie Murphy. I never knew he did all this. The amazing things so many interned here did is astounding. Did you know—”
“Sir, I hate to cut you off but I do have to move you along. If you wouldn’t mind…” Carter motioned with his hand for the man to stand.
“Oh I’m sorry. Yes, just let me put this into my backpack and…” The man stood and turned toward Carter, tilting his head.
Carter finally got a good look at the man. Holy shit! It couldn’t be. There was no way the guy who had starred in his fantasies for the past three years or so was standing in front of him.
“Siah?” he finally got the voice to ask.
“Do I kn— wait a minute? Have I been a good boy again? This time can I really climb the life-sized GI Joe?” Siah asked with a smile.
“It is you? I’m shocked. What are you doing here? Don’t you live in New Orleans?”
“And aren’t you stationed somewhere over there?” Siah motioned with his hand to the distance.
All of a sudden the radio Carter had on his belt chirped, startling him. He looked at the radio and then back up to Siah. “Christ, I’m sorry but I really do have to ask you to leave the cemetery now. I’ve got to finish checking the area for anyone else remaining. It was nice seeing you again after so many years.”
“Maybe we could get together? Cup of coffee with an old friend.” Siah
looked hopeful.
“Sure, that would be great. Um, here, write down my number as you walk. Please?”
§ § § §
Breathing through the stretch, Siah tried to clear his mind. Why it was still hard for him even after he’d gotten his second-degree black belt didn’t make sense to him. He’d always struggled with that part of martial arts. Calming his brain. Oh he could focus like no tomorrow but calming his thoughts and clearing them to meditate? Yeah, the struggle was real.
He shifted into a side straddle stretch. His legs had been killing him for the past few days. All the walking at Arlington up and down the hills was catching up with him. Teach him to forgo his running and stretching.
What were the frickin’ odds the soldier he drooled over years ago after one of the worst nights of his life would show up here? Apparently, pretty good. Lord he looked even better now; at least three or four inches taller than him with sandy brown hair and a body to kill for. If his luck ran its normal course? Carter was straight as a board. Ah well, he could always use another friend. He didn’t have too many of them around this area yet.
If Carter answered his text, maybe they could start a friendship.
“Sensei? Are you ready to begin?” A voice snapped Siah out of his musings.
Siah looked around and his class was ready to start. They normally didn’t have classes on Sundays, never mind on holiday weekends, but they’d added additional classes with the tournament coming up in a few weeks. Picking up the flyer in the library was one of the best things Siah had done while at Tulane.
“Fall in,” Siah called the class to order as he stood up from his stretches. Time to focus on making sure he’d prepared his students the best that he could. Teaching was in his nature whether his classroom had desks or mats.
§ § § §
Waking up took some effort on the weekends whether his weekend fell on an actually weekend or two random days in the week. Rolling over, Carter grabbed his phone to check the time. 10:00 a.m., not too late. Lazy was the word of the day for him. At some point he would need to do laundry and maybe see about getting groceries. He was getting sick of takeout for dinners. It was always depressing cooking for one but if he didn’t watch it, he’d put on weight then he’d have to worry when it came time for the PT test.
As he went to put down his cell, he noticed he had an unread text. Clicking the messenger program, Carter looked at the number and didn’t recognize it. Probably a telemarketer but he clicked on the message anyway.
“Hi Carter - it’s Siah. Wondering if you wanted to get coffee or something later. Text me”
What? Siah actually used his number? Carter hadn’t thought he’d ever hear from Siah even though he asked for his number. What could a put together guy like Siah want with a grunt? Granted Carter was a sergeant now and could possibly make the E6 list the next time around—if he got off his ass and got some college. He’d struggled to finish high school. If he remembered correctly, Siah was getting his masters when Top Glenn had rescued him.
He was probably just looking for a friend. Something Carter didn’t have a lot of. He was friendly with some of the guys in the unit but no really good friends. He’d never been the type to want to go get wasted and party it up, something his ex threw at him regularly before they divorced. Sue him, he just didn’t see the fun in the hangover the next day or being cooped up in a bar where he couldn’t hear anyone or anything other than the bass rumbling.
He remembered watching the group Top Glenn had surrounding him when he got hurt all these years later. Why couldn’t he find a few friends he knew would be there for him no matter what? The one friend he’d had from home cut him off when Jill left. Granted, Briar was Jill’s brother but they’d been friends from the playpen. Briar never responded to his emails or answered his calls after Jill had left. Like Carter was responsible for Jill going wild?
Well, nothing was going to change unless he took a chance. He picked up his cell and responded to Siah’s text.
“Just got up. Want brunch?”
If Siah didn’t want to go, he still needed to eat. He could go grocery shopping after. Force himself to get out of the apartment. Why he had decided to not live on post, he couldn’t remember at this point. Maybe a leftover from the divorce?
Carter got up, made his bed and went to shower. His mama would be proud he still made his bed in the morning or it could be the influence of his drill sergeant. Either way, he couldn’t leave for the day without his bed being squared away.
When he got out his phone was ringing. “’lo?”
“Hey, it’s Siah. Figured it would be easier to just call. Sorry it took some time for me to get back to you. I was teaching. So brunch?” Carter could tell Siah hadn’t calmed down a lot since he’d last seen him. He could remember trying to follow his conversation with Doc Mac back in New Orleans.
“Brunch would be great. My body says ‘lazy day’ but my brain says ‘get off your ass and get groceries’ so leaving the apartment to meet up with you will help. Once I’m out I’ll have no excuse to not get supplies today.”
“Hmmm, where to meet? Have you been to the Silver Dinner? It’s pretty close to Fort Myer. Are you in the barracks over there?” Siah asked.
“Actually I don’t live on post. Got used to not living in barracks when I was married. I haven’t been there. Can I get breakfast still?”
“Shouldn’t be a problem. Say thirty minutes? Give me time to clean up from teaching. How I get so sweaty when—” Carter cut Siah off.
“You can tell me about it when we’re eating. Thirty minutes sounds good.”
“Are you going to cut me off all the time like Doc Mac and Top?” Siah sounded like he was between being outraged and teasing. Carter was going to go with teasing.
“Maybe. You’ll have to meet me to find out. See you in thirty.” Carter hung up the call before Siah could say any more. It was going to be fun to talk with Siah again. Friends were always good to have.
Chapter Three
Siah pulled up to the Silver Dinner in twenty-eight minutes. Not bad for him. There weren’t a lot of students left at the dojo when he talked with Carter so it was relatively easy for him to get out of there. He loved teaching, really he did, but some days after teaching at the dojo he was physically and mentally drained and answering questions after class just wasn’t high on his list of things he wanted to do. Soak in a bath? Oh yeah. Have a glass of wine? Yes, please. Both together? Where did he sign up? One day he’d have a place with a tub big enough to swim in. A boy could dream, right?
He got out of the car and glanced around. These days he still wasn’t sure if he was paranoid Russ was going to find him after all this time or if it was his situational awareness training. Ah well, either way, he could handle himself. Siah walked over and pulled open the door. He loved going to restaurants you could tell had good food as you walked in the door. The aromas coming from the kitchen were making his mouth water.
As he got inside, he saw Carter standing at the hostess’ stand. Siah walked up behind him and asked, “Buy you a cup of coffee?”
Carter turned and Siah watched as a smile moved across his face to light up his eyes. Well, now, wasn’t that a welcome a boy could get used to?
“Siah. It was great to get your text. Ready to eat?” Carter turned back to the hostess and held up two fingers.
“Right this way, gentlemen.” She picked up two menus and led them toward a table. “How’s this?” She had stopped at a table near the back.
“Perfect,” Carter said as he sat down. Siah noticed Carter’s shoulders relaxed just a bit after he sat down and Siah realized Carter was mostly facing the room, not too many chances for someone to walk up behind him.
“Thanks.” Siah slid into the chair opposite Carter and took the menu she handed him.
“Kim will be your server today. Enjoy your meal.” The hostess left and a silence fell over the table.
“So—”
“So—” they both started at the
same time. Carter blushed. How cute was that? Siah slapped himself upside the head. No macking on the straight guy. We want a friend.
“Have you been here before?” Carter asked.
Siah answered before opening his menu, “I have. I heard about them when they came to the school to do a program. They work with several of the local schools to help address childhood obesity with nutrition and fitness classes. The kids like learning a different way. They use local sourced ingredients and make healthier options from classics.”
“That all sounds great. It’s going to be hard to choose, isn’t it?” Carter started looking through the menu. “Oh boneless fried chicken and waffles? Caramel French toast? Country-fried steak? I could not come here often. I’d tank the PT test and go on profile.”
“Profile? PT I understand but profile?” Siah put down his menu and just watched Carter. He was a joy to watch.
“It’s when a soldier can’t make the fitness and weight standards. Depending on why they’re put on profile, depends on what they have to do. Most have to be taped and then have extra PT sessions to lose weight.”
“Taped?”
“It’s when the sergeant takes a tape measure and records the inches for a few places on their body.”
“That does not sound like fun.” Siah was shaking his head.
“It’s not. These days I’m pretty safe from profile but if I don’t stop being lazy and eating out every meal? Yeah, don’t want to go there. Hence, I’ve got to grocery shop today.” Carter closed his menu just as their waitress approached.
“Hi I’m Kim. Sorry it took so long for me to get over here. Can I start you off with something to drink?” She seemed rushed.
“Hi, Kim. I’d love some coffee. Don’t worry about the time. We haven’t been sitting long,” Siah said as he looked to Carter for confirmation.
“Two coffees? Cream? Sugar?” She looked to Carter for confirmation. “I’ll bring some water with the coffees. Are you ready to order or do you need a few more minutes?” she asked.
