My Soldier Mate

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY

NALA POV:

We were all done with training. Everyone looked like they were about to pass out because this was the longest test we had to do while in training. It was interesting to see that I was the only one who wasn’t exhausted despite only having a few hours of sleep. The commander looked at me with a smile. He said, “So you are all supposed to look like Private Aston and not like you were all about to pass out while walking because of being above your station. Keep up the great work, Private Aston.” With that being said, everyone left the training ground. It was then the First Sergeant called out, “Private Aston, hang back for a minute, will you?” I did as I was asked. I watched everyone leave the training ground. Then the first sergeant said, “So how have you been dealing with everything? The last couple of weeks? How have you been sleeping?”

I replied, “Still the same,", but that is normal and it doesn’t bother me. I am always alert and ready no matter what the situation is.”

Matthew replied, “Well, I will be stationed with you in Afghanistan. So when you need anything you can always lean on me.”

I asked, “Why are you so invested in me?”

He replied, "Because you reminded me of my daughter, who doesn’t speak to me because I hadn’t given up on my career and her mother told her I didn’t want her, and she basically poisoned my own daughter against me. So that is why I am invested. I hope you understand I just care.”

I replied, “Well, I am sorry about your daughter. You seem like a great father figure as much as I know of you.” With that he smiled and he then walked away. When he was far enough away, I started to walk to my dorm so I could pack and be ready for dinner because I knew we were leaving early tomorrow. As I was walking back, my phone started to ring. I pulled it out of my pocket and saw who was calling. It was my grandmother. I picked it up and said, "Hello, grandmother. This is a nice surprise. How are you doing?”

My grandmother replied, “Hi, honey. It is good to hear your voice. I am doing well. I was calling to see how you are doing. And to see if you have been stationed yet.” I told her where I was going to be stationed. She asked if it was going to be dangerous. I told her it wasn’t going to be easy and there would be some danger. After that heavy talk, we switched topics. We were just catching up. That is when my grandmother said something that made me stop in my tracks. My grandmother said, “Your mother called me yesterday. She was wondering where you would be stationed and who your beneficiary was. I asked her why she wanted to know so badly. She replied, “Because that is my daughter, and she has the right to know where you are going and how much danger you are going to be in. I told her that I didn’t know anything about where her money was going and that I didn’t really care because it was not my business. The only thing that was my business if you are safe and happy. And your mother got really pissed because I didn’t give her the information that she wanted because she and your stepfather are planning something. So be aware of that.” We talked a little bit more. Then we got off the phone. I smiled because I loved hearing from my grandmother. Then I started walking again to get to my dorm. As soon as I got to my room. It was then I realized how tired I actually was. But I know I have to keep going because I have to go to dinner so I can get the details for the departure time. I got out my sack and started putting everything in it. When there was a knock on the door. I turned around, and opened it. The person who stood outside my door. I wasn’t expecting it. It was Alex’s brother Zane standing on the other side of the door. I was surprised. I asked, “what are you doing here?”

Zane replied, “Just come to see my little brother before you all head off to your stations.”

I replied, “Well, okay. Since you are looking for Alex. His dorm is across the quad. So why are you standing at my door?”

Zane replied, “Because I needed to talk to you. And to make sure you're okay. Alex told me over the phone you haven't really been sleeping really well. Are you okay?”

I replied, “I am fine. Just preparing to go overseas. Since that is all, you have got to see if I am okay. I am fine. Now I have to get back to packing, see you around Zane and have fun with Ashley.”

He replied, “I am not with Ashley. She was honestly just there. I didn't go the way that she did, but I can’t control what she thinks.”

I replied, “Okay. Either way, I have to go, to finish getting ready to go to my new post. So I will talk to you later.”

Zane replied, “Okay, if you need anything while you are over there, please let me know. “

I replied, “I will thank you.” With that he walked out. I went back to packing, not that I had much to begin with. Once I was done, I looked at the time. I looked down and saw the time and I had some spare time left. So I set my alarm and I lay on my bed. I just needed some rest.

My alarm went off, I woke up, and I looked at the clock. And I got up and got ready to go to dinner and the meeting. And then I head out of my dorm. Once I was outside, I was walking towards the quad when I heard my name being called. I stopped and turned around and saw Alex, Jason, Julia and Zane all coming towards me. I waited for them. Zane said, “Hey, did you finish packing?”

I replied, “Yes, how was your day going?”

Zane replied, “Good, I got to see you and my brother. So pretty good today.”

Alex said, “Wait, you go to her dorm first, I mean that is fine. Now I am hurt.” He was messing around and joking around. Everyone laughed. Then we heard a voice behind all of us. That is when I saw my family coming towards us. I saw the rage on my stepfather’s face and my mother’s face was the same, but Carrie had this smug look on her face, like she was going to get away with something. I said out loud, “What the f**k do you want? Because I will not give you anything. Make your daughter get a job like you did like me.”

Caleb replied, “We came to see you before you got off to whatever you were going plus, we would like to talk to you because we need to talk as a family.”

I replied, “My family died. So no. If you don’t leave, I will kick your ass, Caleb, and this time I will not stop. And then you will be thrown off this property. And whatever you want from me, you're not getting because I don’t if you become homeless. You are not my problem.”

My mother said, “Nala, come on, we need to talk to you as a family. Please and thank you. We are sorry for what happened in the past. Please, I am a mother.”

I replied: “I said no, we are not family. Goodbye, I have places to go.” With that, I turned my back and started walking away and Alex and Zane started to follow my lead and walked with me. That is when Carrie spoke up and said, “Daddy, she is not giving in to what we want. Make her.”

Caleb replied, “Carrie Honey, I can’t, not here because there are too many witnesses and I can't afford to go back to jail because of abuse once again.” I continued walking and then Carrie stepped up and put her hand on my shoulder. I grabbed her arm and twisted and flipped her. I said, “DO NOT PUT YOUR NASTY ASS HANDS ON ME AGAIN. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR.”

Carrie started to cry and replied, “Yes.” Then I started walking away again. Faster than I was earlier. I could feel Zane’s and Alex’s eyes on me. They were wondering what was going on and who they were, but I will not tell them. I know they are hiding something so they don’t need to know anything about me or my past. I still can’t believe they showed up here. About 5 minutes later, we got to the mess hall to eat and get out of the post and when we were leaving, we all got our food and sat down and Julia was the one who spoke up first and asked, “Nala, who was that?”

I replied, “No one.”

Zane replied, “It didn’t sound like anything. So who was that?” I was about to respond when the first sergeant came up and cleared his throat and said, “Alright everyone, time for details. We are all leaving here and going straight to our posts. And we are leaving here at 0500 tomorrow. We have planes, and must not miss those flights, so everyone says goodbye to the loved ones who came to say goodbye, because you will not begin to see them for a long time. So catch up and get ready for tomorrow.