Learn with Me

by Kris Jacen

  “Breathe!” Debbie commanded. “And no, I didn’t learn it from him. You know my two, it’s an ingrained skill.”

  Siah took a few deep breaths; bringing to mind his relaxation breathing. “Okay, I’m better now. It’s been a while since I went on a ramble like that. Jiu-jitsu has helped me so much with that. Back when I first met Top and Doc? Oh yeah, I could ramble with the best of them. These days it’s normally just internal when I go off. So, back to your question. I know Carter is working on the fourth so I think the invitation is moot.”

  “Ah, but I never said when the cookout is,” Debbie pointed out.

  Crap, she caught him. He really thought he was going to skate out of it all. “When is it?” Siah asked tentatively.

  “The Saturday after the fourth. Mike and Trish aren’t coming in until then and Spook and Jeanine aren’t here until the day before. He’s got to be on post for the fourth celebrations this year. Are there rules about soldiers attending parties? It’s not an issue. We’ve had enlisted over for cookouts and dinners for years. Besides, Carter isn’t in any of the guys’ units. Now, you check with Carter and let me know. No pressure, if you can’t make it or if either of you don’t feel comfortable. But we would like it if you can make it.”

  “Okay, I’ll talk with Carter and let you know.” She was such a fantastic lady.

  “I’ll talk to you again.” Debbie disconnected the call and Siah just sat there staring at nothing in particular until a knock on the classroom door snapped him out of his musings. The Phys Ed teacher, Matt, was standing there.

  “Hey you, sleeping at your desk? Didn’t you know you can go home and take a nap these days instead of in your chair? I’m sure your couch has to be more comfortable.” Matt joked as he walked in and sat on one of the student desks.

  “What are you doing here? Can’t be much for you to do these days?”

  “Nah, just making sure all the equipment has been accounted for before taking off for the summer. Going to take the family on a road trip in August.”

  “That sounds like fun?” Siah thought Matt had two kids?

  “The kids will have a blast. We’re going to look for dinosaurs and caves. Em has it all planned out.”

  “How did Emma do back at work? I know you two were stressing over it.” Siah thought she had taken time off until their youngest was in school but got an offer this spring for…yeah, he couldn’t remember what.

  “It was rocky the month or so but we finally got the rhythm. Now Rachel will be here in the fall with Charlie. They’ll ride with me and if I’ve got something afterschool, there’s the program the Y runs that’s right here so all should be good. Need to find something for Charlie though. He needs something. He’s just like the Luna twins.”

  “Have you thought about jiu-jitsu or karate? Something that has a physical component but then also works on focus and responsibility?” Siah stood up and started straightening up. He wasn’t getting anything else done today but he couldn’t leave these piles all over the floor.

  “He’s only seven. You don’t think he’d be too young?”

  “Nah. I go to an academy here and we’ve got young students. I help out with that class some times.”

  “Really? How did I not know this?” Matt seemed put out he hadn’t known. Like Siah had kept it a secret.

  “Not sure. I’m still feeling my way around here so I might not have mentioned it?”

  “Have you been studying long? What belt do you have? Can you kick my ass?” Siah thought Matt was teasing with the last question but he wasn’t completely sure.

  “Listen, I’m starving. Want to get some lunch and I can tell you all about it?”

  Matt looked at his phone and nodded. “Yeah, I don’t have to grab the kids from my parents for another hour or so. My mom is spoiling them. She and Dad were going to take them shopping for things they deemed ‘necessary’ and yes, they did make quotation marks when they said that, for the trip.”

  “How’s Mexican sound? I want something spicy today.”

  “Meet you at La Cocina in ten?”

  “See you there,” Siah said as Matt left the room. He glanced at his phone. Really need to talk to Carter about the cookout. I’ll text him later since he sounded busy on the phone.

  § § § §

  Siah figured he’d put off texting Carter long enough. He’d procrastinated all afternoon between lunch with Matt, long run along the river, grocery shopping, doing laundry, cooking dinner. Yeah, he knew he was being an ass but he was nervous about Carter’s answer.

  “Hey you – so we’ve been invited to the Luna’s house for a cookout with their friends”

  It didn’t take long for Carter to text back.

  “What?”

  “Yeah, so Debbie called me today and—”

  Siah’s phone rang before he could finish typing out a response. Surprise, surprise – not, it was Carter. “Hey, so—”

  “How did we get invited there?” Carter asked.

  “Yeah, so Debbie called today and asked if we wanted to go to a cookout. She was talking about the group and the kids they have and—”

  “Siah breathe,” Carter cut him off.

  “What is it with everyone telling me to breathe? She told me today and Doc Mac and Top do it too. And now—” Siah cut himself off because, yeah, he was setting up for a good ramble.

  After a minute, Siah could hear Carter quietly ask, “Siah? You okay?”

  “Maybe? I had a little freak out when I was talking to her today. I don’t know what it is recently but I’ve been rambling more.” He curled into the lounge chair on his back deck. His condo didn’t have a huge backyard but he did have a little space.

  “What freaked you out?” Carter asked.

  “First, we haven’t been seeing each other long so I don’t know if we’re at the point of joint invitations. Then are there rules or something with soldiers? And what if I said yes and you had plans?” Siah hesitated then almost whispered, “and what if you thought I was pressuring you with it all?”

  “You did have a freak out didn’t you? Let’s take the most important first, you would not be pressuring me because although it hasn’t been long, I’d like to think we’re working toward something even though I don’t think I’m good enough for you. Next—”

  “Hey! What do you—”

  “Next, as for rules? I’ve been to other senior NCOs’ houses before and Mooney isn’t in my chain of command at all. Most of my plans these days involve you so I don’t think it would be an issue. Now, bigger question, do you want to go?”

  “Ahh… well…” Siah was having a hard time processing everything Carter had just said. “Maybe? No? Yes? You’ve got me… I don’t…”

  “Did I break you? I don’t think I can remember a time you couldn’t form a sentence,” Carter teased.

  Siah blew out a breath and then said, “I like that you think we’re working toward something and you are totally good enough for me. If you have been to other NOC’s houses, then if you’re free, let’s go to this cookout. I heard a little bit about this group from the twins and to hear it from them? Their uncles are all supermen.”

  “NCO,” Carter corrected.

  “NCO?”

  “You said NOC and it’s NCO. Noncommissioned Officer. Higher enlisted. So when is this cookout so I can clear my schedule?”

  “Saturday after the fourth. Debbie lost me when she was explaining why something about on post and yeah, she still had my brain stopped at ten kids with only two over ten. I’ll give her a call and tell her we’ll be there.”

  “Our first official couple invitation,” Carter said.

  “Hope we have more.”

  “Me too.”

  Chapter Ten

  Carter always thought it was gorgeous at the end of the day in the summer, when things were winding down and the temperature was dropping just a bit. The fourth had gone off without a hitch for the battery. Fifty rounds for the states. The fireworks that night at a park across
the river were spectacular with the added bonus of no crowds. The little picnic Siah had put together not too much. Carter wasn’t a foodie but good food didn’t need to be fancy in his book.

  Carter was getting ready to head home for the day. He’d stayed in the platoon office after hours today to force himself to do some studying. He’d signed up for a class over the summer session to get his feet wet and he knew it was going to kick his ass. He’d never been good at writing so taking the basic English course all by its lonesome was his bright idea. Maybe it wouldn’t suck when it was the only class he was taking.

  After gathering his books and throwing them in his backpack, he checked the area to make sure everything was in place before turning off the light. He started down the hall, not really paying too much attention to where he was going. Next thing he knew, he walked right into someone.

  “Back off, butt boy!” an angry voice growled.

  “What the—”

  “Don’t think we don’t know you’ve got a boyfriend,” a second voice said.

  Carter knew those voices. Christ, just fucking great. Danner and Price. Stevens couldn’t be far away. They seemed to travel in a pack.

  “Just walk away. I don’t want to get into it with you two.” Carter was going to try and reason his way out of this.

  “You think you can tell us what to do? Just because you have a sergeant major protecting you?” Danner sneered.

  “Protecting me? Sergeant Major Luna saw something that isn’t tolerated in the military and took corrective action. You know, his job as a senior NCO,” Carter pointed out.

  “Fuck you!” Price yelled before rushing at Carter and shoving him into the wall. Carter hit the wall hard, his head bouncing off the concrete block.

  Carter held in the moan that wanted to escape. Oh yeah, there was going to be a headache tonight. Before he could recover, Price hit Carter in the kidneys then a quick upper cut to the jaw. Carter’s head was now spinning and if he didn’t do something quick, Price was going to win this. Carter brought his hands up and gave a hard jab to Price’s midsection and then pushed.

  Price went flying to the other side of the hall. Danner stopped him from hitting the wall and they both moved toward Carter. When they were about to swing, movement from the end of the hall made them all turn. One of the lieutenants was coming down the hallway, oblivious to what was happening.

  “Gentlemen,” he said as he nodded and moved past them.

  Either Price or Danner, Carter wasn’t sure, murmured, “Dumbass.”

  “Seriously? What is your fucking problem?” Carter asked.

  “You’re our problem. Think you’re too good for us but like taking it up the ass.” Danner moved closer to Carter, fast, with his arm cocked back.

  “Oh no, you fucking don’t,” a new voice stopped Danner’s arm.

  Carter turned to see Randolph and Tank in the hall. Guess he wasn’t the only one still here tonight.

  “You two fucking mind your own business. This is between us,” Price said.

  Tank moved until he was chest-to-chest with Price and said slowly, “Really? Business that is two to one and involves fists? Sounds like my kind of business. I don’t like it when my friends are beat.”

  “You’re defending a faggot? You one too?”

  That had Tank backing off but Randolph jumped right in. “What the fuck does it matter? Jealous because no one paid you any attention?”

  “Let’s go,” Danner said as he pulled on Price’s arm. “Too many fuck buddies here.”

  Carter waited until they were gone before sliding to the floor, dropping his head in his hands. “Thanks for the save. Guess you’re done with me.”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?” Randolph’s energy level must still be through the roof since he couldn’t seem to understand Carter.

  “Well, now you know my secret. Guess you won’t be inviting me for lunch. I know how most still feel about gays even if discrimination isn’t allowed anymore.”

  “Did you take a lot of hits to the head? You’re not making any sense.” Randolph really didn’t seem to understand what Carter was saying.

  He’d try to speak more plainly. “I understand if you won’t want to be seen with me any more now that you know I’m gay. And yes, I do have a boyfriend and eww, you were right about no one ever noticing Price.”

  Randolph finally caught on to what Carter was saying and squatted down in front of Carter. “Are you any different from what you were twenty minutes ago?”

  “Uh, no?” Carter replied.

  “Suddenly attracted to my ass?” he asked next.

  “Sorry, not my type.”

  “Then we don’t have any issues. You’re a good guy and a great soldier even if you don’t give yourself any credit. You help out more of the guys than the NCOs or the platoon leaders.”

  “Tank? What about you?” Carter asked. Better to know than not know at this point. Christ, who would’ve thought he’d be attacked in the platoon area.

  It took a minute or two before Tank answered, “Maybe? No? Yes?”

  “Maybe what? No? Yes?” Randolph asked. “You seriously don’t think like those assholes, do you?”

  “I don’t. I just—” Tank stopped short. “I just don’t know.”

  Carter took pity on Tank. “You shocked I’m gay or just don’t believe the assholes attacked?”

  “If you’re gay, it’s you. How do I know? I’m just getting to know you. As for the assholes? Fuck them,” Tank said.

  “Okay, well you let me know,” Carter offered.

  “You’re not going to be grabbing me or anything so why does it matter?” Tank seemed to be talking through it all.

  “Nope, my boyfriend wouldn’t like that and I know he can kick my ass, even though he’s smaller than me.”

  “Really?” Randolph seemed surprised. “You do good at combatives.”

  “I might be good with that but…” Carter paused and stood up. He dusted off his pants and picked up his backpack. “Remember the black belt at the tournament? The one that took it all?”

  Carter started walking toward the parking lot with Randolph and Tank on either side of him. He could tell they were both trying to remember Siah.

  “Oh yeah, the little guy?” Tank finally said.

  “He’s not little but compared to you, yeah, the little guy.”

  “I remember him. Shit, he could move,” Randolph added.

  “That’s my boyfriend.” Carter waited to see what they said.

  “Seriously? Can he teach us? I fucking hate having my ass handed to me in combatives.” Tank seemed really interested.

  “I guess? I can ask but I’ve got a few things you can try for combatives too.”

  “You do? Let me guess, first step cardio?” Tank looked a bit green.

  “Yup, cardio endurance can translate to combatives since if you’ve got the stamina you can outlast your opponent.”

  A big sigh from the soldier before he nodded. “Cardio it is. You good to go from here? Need one of us to drive you?”

  “I’m good. They didn’t get too many in before you got there. I’ll probably just have a headache and maybe a bruise or two. If I haven’t said it, and I don’t think I have, thanks for the rescue. I think I could’ve gotten out of it on my own but not without many more bruises and scrapes.”

  “You going to mention it to Sergeant Love?” Randolph asked.

  “Why? It’s not like he’d do anything.”

  “What about Top?” Tank asked.

  “The first sergeant is well aware of those two and their associate and has obviously done nothing, so why bother? Someone will PCS soon enough, or get out so…” Carter finished with a shrug. “You two have a good weekend. I’ll see you on Monday.”

  “Have a good weekend, May,” they both said before Carter got in his car and drove away.

  § § § §

  Siah was ready and waiting for Carter the next day. The cookout started at one and he was ready by noon. Oka
y, maybe he was a bit nervous. First “official” couple appearance. Yes, they’d been out and about – running, dinner, watching the fireworks but this was the first time they were going to see people they knew together that knew they were together. Carter needed to get here soon before Siah drove himself crazy.

  He heard a car pull up and prayed it was Carter or Siah just might resort to chewing his nails and that never turned out well for him. Walking over to the front door, he looked out the window and saw Carter climbing out of his car. He grabbed at his side as he stood. Wonder what that’s about?

  Opening the door, Siah watched Carter walk toward him. When he got closer, Siah noticed a bruise on his jaw. What the fuck?

  “What happened to you? You’re holding your side and you’ve got a bruise on your chin?” Siah reached up and gently cupped Carter’s jaw. “Am I going to be kicking someone’s ass? Because that’s why I started training all those years ago. I was never going to be in the position I was in the night Top saved me, and he did save me although I know he’ll deny it to his dying day.”

  “I’m okay, really. A bit sore from a kidney punch and obviously a bruise on my jaw but I’m not pissing blood and they only got in a few lucky hits.” Carter was trying to play it off, Siah could tell.

  “A couple lucky hits? Carter—”

  “Siah, please? Leave it.”

  Siah stared at Carter for a minute before nodding. “Okay, I’ll leave it for now. Are you up for the cookout? We can beg off.”

  “I’ll be fine. Seeing Sergeant Major Mac is worth going all by himself but to see how they get along and the relationship between them all is amazing. They’re not just good friends. They’re a family by choice. Brothers. I’d love to have that kind of family.”

  “Maybe one day?”

  “Maybe.” Carter shrugged. “Do we need to stop and pick up anything?”

  “Debbie said we didn’t need to bring anything but there was no way we were showing up empty handed. I picked up bubbles for the kids and some tasty little cheesecake bites for the adults. Nothing over the top but I didn’t want to bring sugar for the kids since I know how Cam and Cal are.”