Chapter One
995 Words
The sun shone upon the busy cobbled street as he made his way to the empty warehouse. The vendors were calling out their wares in the crisp morning air. He ran his fingers through his short blonde hair as he nodded to passersby. His long stride spoke of confidence and good manners.
The building was cold, as he ducked in out of the sun. An older man looks up from behind a desk.
“Good morning, sir.”
“Morning, it is, young man. Papers?”
Our young man presented the older man with his documents, and waited patiently for further instruction. He glanced around quickly, noting the scarcity of others in the room. A couple of young women served as nurses, with accordion dividers serving for privacy. He caught the eye of a nurse who froze on the spot. He averted his eyes back to the man in front of him, but pulled himself up to his full height, puffing out his chest slightly. He heard the woman let out a quiet “oh” before scurrying off. He smirked to himself as he waited for the older man.
“Hmm, seems to be in good order, young man… my name is Sargent Darryl. A few questions… Why is it that you wish to join the militia?”
“To serve God and country, sir.”
“Hmm, yes. And what of our enemies, foreign or domestic?”
“I wish to protect the American people, sir.”
The older man gave the young man a shrewd look before delivering a curt nod.
“Adeline!” A young woman appeared. “This young lady will conduct your physical examination and finish your paperwork.”
Adeline looked up and met the young man’s eye. She blushed deeply as the young man flashed a brilliant smile.
“If you please, sir.”
The young man followed the nurse to a partitioned area and was offered a rough blanket.
“For the cold,” she blushed, “if you please.”
The young man’s lip curled into a mocking smirk and pulled off his coat. He continued to undress, noticing the other nurses pause as they passed his partition.
He chuckled to himself; he was used to the stares of women. He did his best to keep in good shape, his lean muscles tight in the cold morning. His blonde hair flopped over his forehead as he pulled down his trousers. He wasn’t bothered by the cold and left the blanket next to wear his clothes rested. He clasped his hands in front of his freshly exposed package.
Adeline began her ministrations, jotting down notes on a pad on the table. The young man could feel eyes on him from behind him. He snuck a glance over his shoulder, and saw the nurses go skittering off. He chuckled low in his chest, feeling like a prized pig.
Adeline cleared her throat, drawing the young man’s attention back to her and her bright red cheeks.
“If you please.” She gestured to his hands. The young man took a moment to blush before clasping his hands behind his back, and turned his head. When he felt her chilly fingers, he dutifully coughed. Adeline’s fingers quickly receded.
“You may get dressed.”
The young man dressed as deliberately as he had undressed, settling on the chair to put his shoes back on.
“If you please.” Adeline gestured for him to follow her, delivering him back to the Sargent.
“Alright, son. Everything looks to be good. Are you ready to swear in?”
“I am, sir.”
The Sarge produced a Bible, and the young man placed his hand on it.
“Repeat after me. I, your name, do solemnly swear…”
“I, Frank Henry Berger, do solemnly swear…”
“that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic…”
“that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic…”
“that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same…”
“that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same…”
“and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me…”
“and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me…”
“according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
“according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
“Welcome to the New York militia, son.”
“Thank you, sir. Happy to serve.”
“Good man. You will report to basic training next Friday unless otherwise indicated. You can head to the tailor on Avenue A at 9th Street tomorrow at ten o’clock, I should have your uniform in by then. Go and get your affairs in order, and wait for further word.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you.” He turned to the nurses who had gathered for another peek and nodded courteously at them. “Ladies…”
The ladies giggled as he turned back to the Sarge. “Sir.”
“Good luck, son.”
With a nod, our young man turned and left the cold building for the gentle warmth outside. He gulped thickly as he took long strides back towards his childhood home. The short walk that felt so pleasant before felt heavy and dark on the way home.
He had signed away his small freedom to serve his country, a country that couldn’t care for its people. A country that continued to ask more of those very people. Despite the warmth from the sun, he couldn’t help but feel a cold dampness build in his heart.
- Writer
