The Arrangement

Matt's P.O.V: "Only one more week, then we are out of here men" Major Rogers rang out as we were heading back to base. It's been a year long deployment for our regiment and with 6 tours under my belt; 3 in Afghanistan and 3 in Iraq, I was not ready to let up. "Sullivan!" screeches Major Rogers. "I actually expect you to get on that flight home this time, no if and's or butt's, you hear me. That's and order." I look at Major Rogers knowing how serious he is this time. I had a fear of returning home after every deployment, knowing how it had changed me from previous experiences. The last time I had returned home from my deployment, my fiancé was in bed with my best friend. What a sight that was to walk into. So, now I find my self staying behind a few extra weeks before getting yelled at for going against orders. 'Yes, sir!" I responded, with full intentions of lying. As we are traveling through a previously contained war zone, I feel a bit of uneasiness settle in. Something was not right. It was like our every move was being watched. As we approached the check point, all of a sudden shots ring out. "It's and ambush, we got to move, GO, GO!!" Major Rogers shouted. Then all of a sudden my world went black. Beep, Beep, Beep. I wake hearing the beeping of a cardiac monitor knowing damn well that I was in a hospital. I reach for the call button when the nurse walks in. 'Your awake finally!" she says in excitement. She was an attractive blonde, resembling my ex fiancé in some ways. You could clearly see that she was trying to hard to get someone's attention. "How long have I been out?" I mumble with a scratchy throat that feels like I haven't drank anything in weeks. "2 day's, you were pretty banged up when they brought you in" she intentively stated as she flirted with her eyes. "Do you know what happened?" I began to interrogate before the Doctor walked into my room, with my Lieutenant Colonel following shortly behind. "Sargent Sullivan" he salutes as i return the same gesture. "Sir, do you know what happened to me. and how the rest of my regiment is?" I ask with a seriousness in my voice. "Your Humvee was blown up when you were ambushed. As for survivors you and Major Rogers are the only two" Lieutenant Colonel Miller states. His words sting me like a million yellow jackets. "I would like to extend my tou-.." my words being quickly interrupted by Colonel Miller. "You are not to return to duty until you complete the guidelines these fine healthcare workers define for you. An from what I gather that includes intensive therapy, Physical and mental." he states as i feel my annoyance growing, but I just stare off into a void. As the doctor begins to tell me his plan for discharge I can't help but think about my time here, when I am quickly interrupted from my own thoughts. "To whom will you be staying with as you recover?" the doctor asks, To be honest I haven't given it much thought since my mother passed while I was on my first tour and well you know the whole fiancé situation. "Sir, I am unsure at this time . My mom passed 6 years ago and my fiancé, well ex-fiancé... I'm sure you can figure that one out" I snicker as the doctor continues on. When the doctor finishes I am left to my own thoughts. What the F**k am I going to do. I know for sure that I can't disobey orders this time because they have me on the first flight out of here, directly after hospital discharge tomorrow morning. I guess I could call my sister, but she hasn't talked to me since my mom passed. We kind of left on bad terms when she blamed me for not being there to help when my mom got sick. I was deployed and I don't do well with the whole sick thing. As I continue pondering my thoughts I am quickly interrupted by Major Rogers. "Sullivan!" he says with an uneasy expression while saluting. I return the gesture. "As you were" he states with a shaky voice. "I hear you are to return state side with me tomorrow morning, but have no where to go" he states as if asking a question. I nod and he continues on "I was told by Colonel Miller that your status is a little iffy at this time". "Well, I figure I'll be down for a month or two then I can return to duty" I say with a frown and a hint of optimism "Try a year maybe two at most" Major Rogers says with a snicker. I frown and sigh deep as I try to focus my anger at the T.V on the wall. "There's absolutely nothing I can do to return sooner sir?" I ask knowing that the answer I am about to receive is not one I want to hear. "Unfortunately not" Rogers responds with a frown. "Now to the matter at hand. Whom will you be living with when we return state side?" It was a question looming over my head all day since receiving the news that I have to return state side for a while. I can't stay on base because I am not an active duty officer at this time. I guess I could get a hotel, but I'll end up paying an arm and a leg in the long run. As I am mulling over my options in my head I am quickly interrupted once again by Major Rogers. "I have a proposition for you. An arrangement that I think maybe beneficial for you right now. Why don't you come stay with me for a while, till you get back on your feet. I have a guest room that is currently unused at this time and it's on it's own separate floor. So, what do you think?" I sit and think about it for a minute or two before agreeing to the arrangement. I would much rather not have to be around people while I wallow in my pity, but what other choice do I have at this moment in time. "Sure. I would greatly appreciate that sir, thank you" I say while swallowing my pride. "Great, I'll set it up with the doctors. I'll see you first thing tomorrow morning." he says with a smile as he gets up to leave. I was so preoccupied with trying to figure out what the hell I was going to do, that I forgot to ask what state I was going to reside in for the time being. I could beat myself for getting into this situation. The hospital discharges me bright and early. I am placed in a vehicle that takes me to the airport. Upon my arrival, Rogers is already there, looking like he just stepped out of the movie top gun. "Ready to go Sullivan" he says with a slight smirk. "As ready as I'm ever gonna be. Sir, I forgot to ask yesterday when you approached me with this arrangement, but what state are we going to exactly?" I ask with a little hesitation. Secretly deep down i was hoping it was a place far away from my ex- fiancé, whom was currently residing in Seattle. "Georgia" His face lighting up with excitement. "I've lived in Georgia my whole life. Small town just outside of Savannah. All my family lives there as well, so don't be surprised if you happen to meet some of them during your stay there". As we board the plan I try to put on a somewhat warm face, but my expression is still cold. Just where I wanted to end up. A small town where everyone knows everyone and one where I'll be subjected to family events along the way. I settle in my seat as I prepare for our long flight to my new temporary home. I try to keep to myself while pondering my thoughts, but the constant flirting by the flight attendant with Rogers and I are distracting. I try not to return the gestures unlike Rogers who can't help but eat up the attention. Throughout the flight and constant flirting from the flight attendant, I can't help but think back to the last time I was in a relationship. It had been 4 years since I broke off the engagement with Olivia after finding her in bed with Will, my best friend whom I've known since I was little. I can't help but think if now would be the time to try again and start dating since I would be state side for a lot longer then I thought, but then again the constant reminder that I am a soldier returning from war, and contain an unlimited amount of baggage consumes me. For the remainder of the flight, I put in my AirPods and listening to Enter Sandman by Metallica before drifting off into a nap. As the flight begins its descent into Pensacola, FL, I can't help but feel a bit of relief and torture all at the same time. The thought that the flight was finally over was a relief, but now the 7 hour car drive to Georgia was about to begin. I'll never understand why we wouldn't just take a direct flight to Georgia, but I cant complain when he is offering to take me in. As we deboard the flight, we pile into a rental car and begin the final leg of the journey to my temporary home on Tybee Island.