Chapter Nine
My cousin, Sherrod, was my best friend. He was the only person who knew all of my secrets and often encouraged me to get away and start fresh. I always blew him off. The country was at war. Why would I want to join the army? His persistence, along with my empty pockets, caused me to rethink my position.
After weighing the pros and cons of joining the Army, I went down to the local recruiter. He looked at my overweight, out of shape body and laughed. That was the first time in a long time I felt ashamed about anything. It was also the first time I focused on something other than women. I went to Sherrod, who was a Staff Sergeant in the army, and asked for his help. In my mind, all I could hear was that recruiter laughing at me. That, along with getting out from under Yolanda’
