Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

do this. A little for Dad, yes, but mostly for me. I think I need this."
    She smiled and nodded, the tears still streaming down her face. "Okay then." And she got up and hugged me while we both cried.
    The next day I drove back to school, but instead of going to my dorm I drove straight to the recruiter's office. I was average-size for a guy, maybe a little on the skinny side— five-foot nine, one hundred forty pounds— so after explaining the written and physical tests I would have to take, he suggested maybe I take a couple of weeks, start some intense exercising to build up my body and endurance before I take the tests. I was disappointed to have to wait, but I also knew I wanted to pass the tests. So, I created a rigorous schedule for myself and stuck to it, getting up early to get some sit-ups and weight lifting in. Then later in the day I'd go for a run.
    In the meantime while I was building up my body, I was tying up other loose ends. I dropped my classes and signed out of college. This was kind of a risky move, because if I wasn't strong enough or didn't pass the tests, the Marines wouldn't take me. I didn't want to think about that though. I just focused on the positive and doing all could do.
    Only one thing I didn't do— I never contacted Chase. I thought about it several times, I'd open an email and then close it or I'd pick up the phone and then set it back down. I was too afraid he would try to talk me out of joining, too afraid he'd try to discuss hiding and being gay. I didn't want to talk about it. I just wanted to concentrate on my training and the tests and getting accepted. I could deal with the issue of being gay later.
    Finally, the week arrived for my tests. I took the written test and then the physical fitness tests. I was drained when it was all over and all I could do is wait to find out my fate.
    The day my recruiter called was one of the most exhilarating of my life. I had done it— I had worked hard and got in. Just the first small step in learning the sense of pride and accomplishment in being a United States Marine.
    Two weeks later, I said good-bye to Mom and Bobby and headed off to Camp Pendleton in San Diego to start the rest of my life.
    CHAPTER 4
    August, 2010
    I had just got back to the States after being in Iraq for seven months. It was my first deployment and it had definitely been a life-altering experience. Fighting in a war-zone is something that affects you, changes you and only those who have experienced it with you truly understand. I had been extremely lucky; all my brothers and I had made it home alive and relatively unscathed, physically. All I wanted right now was to enjoy being back home and life returning back to a normal, calm pace. I laugh at that memory now, because the "calm" didn't last very long. My life was soon altered in a completely different and irreversible way. An ambush I definitely had no training for.
    When I left for Recruit Training— Boot Camp— I had no nerves or fears. I had made it through the physical training tests and been accepted, so I thought that meant I could hack the training. In reality, Recruit Training kicked my ass, as it does for every new recruit. That is its purpose, after all. The twelve weeks of training they put new recruits through in the Marines is worse than hell. Physically and emotionally, it is some of the most hellish conditions you can ever put your body through. They break your body and they break your spirit so they can build you back up with the morals and values and honor code of a Marine. When it is all over, though, and you've survived and they tell you, "You are now a United States Marine" all the pain is forgotten. All you feel is pride and accomplishment and joy.
    Mom and Bobby came down for my graduation. Mom had tears in her eyes. The sun was shining bright and strong, and I couldn't help but feel it was Dad looking down on me with pride. At least I hoped he could see what his son had become.
    In training you're so exhausted all the time, your only concerns are eating, sleeping and doing what you're told. So I didn't really have time for emails or phone calls. And worrying about being gay wasn't even a concern, plus my dick was too tired to even get it up anyway. About two weeks in to training, I got an email from Chase.
    Hey Little A,
    I talked to Bobby. He told me he told you about me, and I'm glad you know. I just wanted to say I'm sorry I didn't tell you myself. It's just... well, as you surely