Love on Leave

by Leah McDonnell

  “No, Max. Please don’t think that. My hesitation was never about not wanting to go.”

  “Then what is it?"

  “I just…”

  “Look! Let’s make a deal with each other, ok?”

  “Ok?” I say, hesitantly.

  “The rest of the guys are planning to pull out around ten-thirty in the morning. If you’re there, we can all caravan back. If you’re not…we’ll know you’ve changed your mind and we’ll ride home with them. We can let this be the amazing weekend it was, no strings attached. No hurt feelings.

  Go home with lifelong memories and hope we run into each other on the Fourth. Deal?” He sticks out his hand.

  I smile and take it. “Deal!”

  As we make it back to our hotel, I stir sleeping beauty and send her to the room. Max gives me one last hug and kiss goodbye. “Try to get a few hours of sleep,” he says.

  “You too.”

  “And if you don’t come, I’ll understand. But I pray you do.”

  I don’t respond, because I genuinely don’t know if I will go yet. I don’t have a peace about it. I stare into his eyes, hoping to find some clarity. I kiss him softly on the lips and walk away. Turning back to look at him one last time. Just in case.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  I feel my way around the nightstand for my glasses. I push them on and read 9:30 a.m. across the alarm clock. Yet, another night I haven’t slept a wink. Two days with no sleep is officially kicking my ass.

  I can’t shut my mind off as it replays the entire weekend. How could two nights with someone make me feel this way? And those lips… oh dear Lord… those lips! What on earth is he thinking? He could have any girl he wants. Why me?

  “Lana!” I jostle her. “Lana! Wake up!”

  It's like waking the dead.

  “What? Geez… I’m up… I’m up,” she growls.

  I sit on the bed, Indian style and light the end of a cigarette. “We need to talk about this whole going to Fort Benning thing.”

  “What’s to talk about? We’ve already told them we’d go.”

  “I know. But I talked to Max later and told him I was having some second thoughts about it.”

  She scrunches her face and fans the smoke. “Why would you have doubts? He clearly likes you.”

  I stand and pace the room. “See, that’s the thing. Don’t you think it’s a little odd he’s into me? I’m not trying to be hard on myself. But let’s be honest here…he’s a ten. Actually, he’s more than a ten. He’s like an eighteen because he’s hot, sweet, and a good kisser.”

  She crawls from the bed and heads for the bathroom. “It’s about time you two kissed.”

  “Don’t make jokes, Lana! I’m freaking out here.”

  “Why are you freaking out? It’ll be us hanging out. But instead of being at the beach we’ll be in an Army barracks.”

  “Exactly! And what if we get there and this is all some big ruse so his female soldier friends can whip the shit out of us as payback?”

  She stomps back into the room with her hands in the air. “Please God tell me you’re joking?”

  “It could happen.”

  “Yes, Kate. You’re right. They’re going to spend the entire night with us. Stay out till dawn, buy us drinks, take us to dinner, and nearly get arrested for indecent exposure. All with the ulterior motive of revenge.”

  “Well, when you put it that way.”

  “He likes you and wants to spend more time with you. Plain and simple.”

  “I like him too. But why do I have a gut feeling I’ll be nursing a broken heart at the end of all this,” I finally admit.

  “I guess it’s a risk you’re going to have to take. Besides, we have to go. Drew told me he’s getting out of the Army in a few weeks and will be heading back home to Michigan. This trip was his last hoorah. If we don’t go, I’ll never see him again.”

  “Oh, gee thanks, Lana! No pressure or anything.”

  She sits on the end of the bed and pulls her hair in a ponytail. “It’s still ultimately your decision. If you don’t think it’s a good idea, then so be it. I may want to kill you later, but I’ll support it.”

  I fall back into the pillow. “I guess I was hoping for some clarity this is the right move.”

  Ten seconds later, there’s a tap on the door. In my sleepless brain fog, I open it without checking the peephole.

  “Please tell me you weren’t out all night with those fucking GI’s again?”

  I slam the door in Wayne’s face without a word. “Lana! Pack your shit. We’re going to Fort Benning.”

  Once the decision to go was made, we got dressed, packed our things, and checked out of Hotel Alpharetta in record time. And although I haven’t had any sleep, I’m wide awake with excitement. We pull into The Parker Motel without a minute to spare.

  Jackson’s truck and Santos’s car are gone and Max and Drew are nowhere to be seen.

  “I’m sure they’re waiting for us in the room,” Lana says, jumping from the car.

  “I hate being late!”

  She rolls her eyes. “It’s 10:31 for crying out loud!”

  I look around as we make the long walk across the motel courtyard. The coolers sitting outside the door are gone. We knock, but no one answers. Lana checks the other room, but no one answers there either.

  “Maybe they all went for breakfast,” she says, hopeful.

  “Maybe,” I shrug.

  “Are you sure he said ten-thirty?”

  “I’m positive, Lana!” I shout, louder than I should of.

  We head back to the car, disappointment sinking in. “I knew this was all too good to be true.”

  I pull the keys from my pocket as the door of the lobby dings open behind us. I turn and out walks Max and Drew. A huge smile crosses his face when he spots me, causing a wave of relief in my chest.

  He sweeps me up for a much-needed hug. “You’re here!”

  My cheeks flush. “I’m here.”

  “We were checking out of the rooms.”

  “You scared me a little when we couldn’t find anyone.”

  “Oh, yeah. They all left about an hour ago.”

  My head tilts. “I thought you said ten-thirty?”

  “I did. But they were all up and packed, so they went ahead and got on the road.”

  “Well, ok. But what were you going to do if we didn’t show?”

  He laughs. “I guess we would have been hitchhiking it back to Post.”

  “I’m serious, Max! That was one hell of a gamble, don’t you think?”

  “It was a risk I was willing to take. Besides, I knew you couldn’t resist spending more time with this handsome face,” he says, easing close for a kiss.

  You got that right, I think. “Cocky much?” is what I actually say out loud.

  “Oh, I’ve been known to be a time or two,” he smirks.

  “Well, as long as you don’t hit on Waffle House waitresses, I think we’re all safe.”

  Lana and Drew are already in the back seat with a cooler full of ice-cold, Coors Light between them. The top’s down, letting in the warm May morning air. Max is up front with me and is busy thumbing through my CD case.

  He holds up my Vanilla Ice CD. “We really need to work on your choice of music, Kate.”

  “Come on now! You have to admit, ‘Ice Ice Baby’ is pretty damn catchy!”

  He shakes his head. “I have so much to teach you.”

  Drew pulls off his T-shirt, soaking up every last ray of sunshine.

  “Kate, have I mentioned how much I love this freaking car?” He runs his hand across the tan leather seat.

  “Me too!” I roll out my lip. “It’s going to be hard to hand it back over to dear ole dad.

  My Honda doesn’t have quite the pizzazz as this one.”

  “No kidding! If it hadn’t been for the car, I may not have noticed the hot ladies piled inside of it.”

  “Thank the Lord for Kate’s shitty stick shift driving!” Lana teases as she s
trips to her bathing suit top.

  Max leans over and whispers, “I noticed you way before I noticed the car.” Giving a wink as he leans back.

  I shake my head and laugh. “You’re so full of shit, Chase Maxwell! But I like it!”

  “It’s true! Scout’s honor!” he says, holding up Boy Scout fingers.

  “It’s a three and a half-hour drive, Lana. You’re burned bad enough as is. You better put some sunscreen on.”

  “Ok, Mom! Want me to wash behind my ears too?”

  “Nobody likes a smart-ass,” I say, pulling out of the parking lot.

  Max chuckles. “You two crack me up.”

  We sit quietly and enjoy the ride, taking in our last glimpses of the Gulf before we make the turn north. Poetically, “Life in the Fast Lane,” by the Eagles plays as we wave goodbye to the city that brought us all together.

  “So what’s on the agenda for us tonight?” I ask.

  Drew slings his arm around Lana. “You gals are going to have so much fun with us tonight. We’re going to show you around, introduce you to some of our friends. Then I thought we’d hang out in my room, drink a little, throw some Chemlights around. Drink a little more, then who knows.”

  “Sounds great!” Lana beams. “But what the hell is a Chemlight?”

  They laugh. “It’s too hard to explain. We’ll have to show you tonight,” Max says.

  “I’ll take your word for it,” I say. Clueless on what it is either.

  The drive is going by in a flash thanks to the constant chatter of the group. There hasn’t been a lull in the conversation and I’ve laughed so much my side hurts. Drew and Max are both drinking, but Lana’s one beer away from being cut off. Cops are out in full force, so I’ve been extra cautious knowing there’s a car full of open beer. Max doesn’t want me to feel left out and offers the occasional sip. But I know I have to get us and Dad’s car back in one piece, so it’s only Dr. Pepper’s for me.

  Max slips his arm on the headrest and rubs the back of my neck, causing goosebumps to rise. “You better stop or I might have to pull the car over and ravish you right here on the side of the road,” I tease.

  He inches closer. “Well, in that case, let me use both hands!”

  Fort Benning is situated between Columbus, Georgia and Phenix City, Alabama and the minute we cross into the town, it’s clear the Military Post is the town’s core infrastructure. Army surplus stores, tattoo parlors, bars, strip clubs, and pawn shops are on every corner. Each one advertising their own “Special Rate with Military ID.”

  A large monument greets us as we pull through the entrance. Welcome to Fort Benning – Home of the Infantry. A guard shack with two large, intimidating MP’s monitoring the gate, step out to check Max and Drew’s ID’s, and it causes an uneasy feeling again.

  “Is it ok to be here?” I ask.

  “Of course! Don’t worry. We’re allowed to have guests,” Drew assures.

  “But is it ok we’re staying the night, right?”

  “It’s all good. I promise,” Max says, trying to calm my visible nerves.

  “She’s only freaking out because she thinks this was all a ploy to get us here,” Lana says, spilling the beans.

  Max’s brow furrows. “A ploy?”

  I give her evil eyes through the rearview mirror. “Shut up, Lana!”

  “She thinks you guys only invited us here so you could have your badass Army bitches whip the shit out of us for payback.”

  Max’s head snaps in my direction and his mouth falls open. “Is that true? Do you think this is all some ploy?”

  I grimace. “Maybe a little.”

  “Oh my God! It’s all water under the bridge, Kate! I swear! Is this why you were so hesitant to bring us home?” he asks, laughing.

  “If I’m being a hundred percent truthful… yes. But I always overthink things. I know you wouldn’t do that to me.”

  As we wind our way through the Post I read off the names of beige and white buildings. Post Headquarters, Legal Services, and Infirmary. Max tells us about each one as we pass. We learn a PX is the military’s version of Walmart, and the grocery store is called a Commissary. He chuckles and says they spend a lot of their time in the Class Six, which is the liquor store. The only thing I recognize from the outside world is the Burger King.

  I’m certain we’ve traveled at least four miles before finally coming to the housing area. Rows of three-story, long, beige block buildings with entrances at the end and middle. Max points to Jackson’s and I pull alongside it to park.

  I climb out and stretch as the others collect their things. Two girls jog down the stairs of the building and my stomach drops. I knew it! Here we go! Bracing myself for the inevitable payback. They wave and shout a quick, “hey guys” to Max and Drew and head towards the other side of the lot. While I say a quick prayer of thanks and wipe the invisible shit from my pants.

  Max was right. The building’s more dormitory than a summer camp bunkhouse. Long stark white hallways with fluorescent lights glare against the white tile floors. Doors about every fifteen feet, line both sides of the hall. Some of the doors are propped open and Max and Drew introduce us as we pass each one.

  We make our way to the end where Drew’s room is. It’s small, with a twin bed and a small couch. He has a mini-fridge with an assortment of liquor bottles stacked on the top. Army gear is piled high in the corner. His camouflage uniform is hooked on the front of a small wardrobe. I take a seat and study the large black flag hanging over his bed. The outline of a parachute and the word Airborne written across it.

  “So does this mean you’ve jumped out of airplanes?” I ask.

  “Yep! More times than we can count.” Drew says proudly.

  “Fort Benning is where jump school is for the entire country. So at some point, most everyone will make their way through here.” Max adds.

  Lana throws herself across Drew’s bed like she’s lived here all her life. “No way, Jose! I’d be scared to death!”

  “Ah, it’s not so bad. After you get past the nerves, it’s one hell of a rush!” Drew says, sliding in beside her.

  “Well! You both scored some major cool points in my book,” I admit.

  It’s obvious there’s no bathroom in Drew’s room and I would love the opportunity to get cleaned up. The grit and grime of the two-hour convertible ride has me in desperate need of a shower.

  “Soooo is there a bathroom close by? I’d love to grab a quick shower?”

  “I could use one too,” Lana adds.

  “The female latrine is three doors past the stairwell we came in at.”

  Lana lifts up on her elbows. “Um. I’m sorry, what?”

  “A female latrine, huh? This should be interesting."

  “Oh, I have no doubt it will be,” Max chuckles.

  He walks into the hall and waits as I gather up my stuff. “Let me show y’all where it’s at and while you’re getting dressed, I’ll go unpack.”

  I tug the door to close it behind us, but it won’t latch. “Drew, did you know your doors messed up?”

  “Yeah, we have auto locks on the door. They’ll open from the inside, even if they’re locked on the outside. I got drunk and forgot about it. Locked myself out and had to disassemble the whole damn thing to get in. It’s been broken ever since.”

  “So you just leave it cracked open all the time?”

  “Yeah,” he chuckles. “There isn’t anything in here anybody would want. Other than the booze, maybe.”

  Max walks us to the latrine door. “I’ll meet you back in Drew’s room in a little bit.” He gives me a quick kiss goodbye. The gesture meaning more to me knowing I’m in his real world.

  We walk through a large restroom full of typical bathroom stalls and open sinks, eventually coming to the “Latrine Showers” sign. We round the corner of a large open shower room where the ladies shower together.

  “Communal showers? You’ve got to be kidding,” I say, loud enough my voice echoes through the room.
/>   “Enjoy your shower ladies!” The guys shout as they laugh through the door.

  “Thanks for the heads up, ya shitheads!” Lana yells.

  “There’s no one in here right now. Let’s hurry and get this over with.”

  Her bag slips from her shoulder as she stares into the empty room. “I can’t do it, Kate! I’m sorry.”

  She walks backward, her bag dragging across the tile. “I’ll get stage fright if some big, butchy ass, Army chick walks in.”

  She’s gone before I can protest. “I’m going to kill you!” I shout as the door slams shut.

  I feel disgusting. There’s no way I can bail-out too. I take my chances, hoping I can get in and out before anyone else walks in. But just in case, I shower in my bathing suit.

  I jump in, monitoring the door every few seconds, shaving in record time. As I rub shampoo in, the sound of feet sliding across the tile stops me in my tracks. With one eye open, I slowly turn, praying its Lana. No. Such. Luck! Standing before me is a 230+ pound, naked, Sasquatch, sporting a skull and bones tatt on her boob and a bush big enough to catch fish with. I snap my head back toward the water, trying desperately to rinse the shampoo out.

  Although the room is full of empty showerheads, she picks the one right next to me.

  “How’s it going?” she asks, roughly.

  I’m speechless for a few seconds.

  “Uh. I. I’m ok. Thanks,” I finally mutter.

  It’s fine, Kate! Calm down! I keep repeating in my head. Finish up and get the hell out of here!

  I frantically plop a handful of conditioner on my head, when in walks another lady you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley. Oh dear God, help me! This is the payback! They’re going to beat the shit out of me in the shower with no witnesses! Less mess!

  She strips and slides into the shower directly on the other side of me. My hands shake as I scrub my hair. The seconds feel like hours, causing the most awkward two minutes of my life.

  As soon as the last of the conditioner is out, I bolt. Sopping wet, water pouring from my suit. I snatch my bag and swing open the latrine door. I fly into the hall where Lana, Max, and Drew are buckled over in laughter.