by Saxon Andrew
“Then I would have been violating my promise and I would be no better than the enemy we’re fighting, Sir.”
Brian said, “What’s going to happen now, Colonel?”
“Oh, there’s a lot more working against you than the botched call for air support. It seems South Vietnam Intel is now calling for us to discipline you for the Van Boa execution.” The three officers stared at Jensen and waited. Jensen said, “The Old Man knows what you did here and has decided that the Army needs the two of you too much to lose you to political maneuvers. He’s decided to promote both of you to the rank of Lt. Colonel and send you back to the States to start advanced studies.”
AG furrowed his brow and said, “Advanced studies?”
“Officers above the rank of Major are often taken out of active duty to attend college classes to better prepare them for their careers. It gives them a better balance of information to make important decisions.”
“What colleges take part in this program?”
“All of them. Most of them are not aware of the students being in the military. However, the student must qualify with their SAT scores and grades to normally attend the college they choose.”
Jerry looked at Jensen and said, “I’d like to go to MIT.”
Do you have the grades and appropriate scores?”
“I do.”
Jensen looked at AG, “What about you?”
“Harvard is my choice.”
“Same question?”
“I believe I do.”
“We’ll collect your transcripts and let you know. We’ll also submit them to other universities in the event you aren’t able to go to your first choice.”
Brian looked at Jensen, “What happens in the meantime?”
“They will continue here in their commands until we can place them. We’ll hold off South Vietnam Intel until they have left for the States and then it will be a moot point.”
Brian looked at AG, “Who should replace the two of you?”
“Charles Weston should take my battalion.” AG looked at Jerry and said, “I believe Captain Bingham should replace Jerry.”
Jensen frowned at AG but Jerry said, “I concur; Captain Bingham is ready to handle the troops and he’s earned their respect for the bravery he’s exhibited.”
Jensen tilted his head, “Are you sure about Bingham?”
“He commanded my battalion while I was with the Ghosts, Sir. He did an outstanding job.”
Jensen turned to Brian and he nodded. Jensen shrugged and said, “I’ll process the promotions immediately. I don’t expect this to take long.”
Jensen stood and AG and Jerry saluted. He returned their salute and left the bunker. Brian slowly shook his head, “You know we won’t be as effective.”
“No, but you’ll be better than any other regiment in South Vietnam. Just listen to them like you did us and the men will be safer for it.” AG paused and said, “May I request a meeting of the men just before we leave.”
Brian smiled and said, “They’ll demand it. I’ll keep you updated on what’s happening.” They saluted and left the bunker.
“MIT?”
“I’ve always been interested in electronics. I do believe that future wars will be fought with weapons that require no human operator. That’s the future of combat. Besides, Harvard?”
“My girlfriend goes there. I miss her a lot. Where’s your girl?”
“Get real. How can anyone maintain a relationship ten thousand miles away?”
AG smiled, “It’s possible with the right one, Jerry.”
Jerry laughed, “Yeah, right. I’ve got to meet this girl.” Jerry paused and said, “Isn’t Harvard in Boston?”
“Actually Cambridge but it’s right across the river from Boston.”
“Is that the friend you want me to help?”
No, but just be patient and I’ll explain when we arrive.”
“Fair enough; we should talk with Charlie and Bingham.”
“Your bunker or mine?”
“Let’s use mine. We usually use yours.”
“Lead the way.”
• • •
Two weeks later, Lt. Col. Green assembled the Regiment. He stood at a podium and said over the speakers, “At ease.” The men placed their feet shoulder width apart and placed their hands behind their backs. Brian looked out at the Warriors and said, “I have news to share with you and I wanted to be the one to tell you.” He paused and saw many of the men were growing nervous. “Majors Gardner and Dodd have been promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel and will be leaving our Regiment. Captain Charles Weston has been promoted to Major and will replace Col. Gardner. Captain Edward Bingham has been promoted to Major and will replace Col. Dodd.” Brian watched the men closely and saw that their nervousness was dissipating. Once again Gardner had made good decisions. “Majors, take command of your battalions.”
AG turned and said simultaneously with Jerry, “Battalion, Atennnshun.”
Charlie moved out of ranks and came to attention in front of AG, saluted, and said, “Sir, I relieve you.”
AG returned his salute and said, “Your father is proud of you, Charlie. Take care of my men.”
Charlie smiled, “You know I will, Sir.”
AG and Jerry did an about face and moved next to Col. Green. Brian said, “At ease! Col. Gardner wishes to say a few words.”
AG went up to the podium and stared out at the brothers he had fought with for more than two years. He said, “I am honored to have served our country fighting with you. You are the finest soldiers in this army and I know you will continue to make me proud.” The silence was pervasive. AG then said, “I am going to ask you to do one thing for me; as a favor. I want all of you to stay in contact with Majors Weston and Bingham from this moment forward. Always know how to contact them. If you move, let them know. If you change your telephone number, notify them. I also want you to make sure a member of your family knows to continue this even if something happens to you. Will you promise to do this for me?”
“Yes Sir,” rang out in the night.
AG stared at them and they all knew that expression he wore, “There will come a time in the future where you will be asked to assemble at a location and you should bring your families with you. You will have a very short time to arrive so drop everything and come.” AG intently stared at them and they saw his sense of urgency. “I am responsible for your safety. Do not question the reason; drop everything and come. I’m counting on you to follow my last order. Do you understand?”
“YES SIR!”
“You are Warriors. Raise your families with the principles that guide us. Remember, you can always count on each other.”
AG stepped away from the podium and Colonel Green said, “Regiment…”
Charlie and Edward echoed him… “Dismissed.”
The men rushed forward to wish AG and Jerry farewell. None of them questioned the reason for AG’s request but they all knew they were going to follow it. They knew the White Demon was never wrong and saw things they couldn’t.
• • •
Jerry sat on the Huey with AG and said, “What was that about?”
AG looked at Jerry, “Another war is coming, Jerry. We have to be ready when it arrives.”
“I hope you’re more open as to what you mean.”
“I will tell you at the appropriate time. That will be years from now. However, I am going to need you most of all.”
Jerry stared at AG and stuck out his hand, “I’m your man.”
AG shook it and said, “Yes, you are.”
• • •
Cynthia looked at Emily and said, “You’re gorgeous. This dress is just beautiful.”
Emily smiled and looked at Lydia, “Are you going to the dance?” Lydia shook her head. “You should be going. You can’t continue to wait for Mr. Perfect.”
Lydia sighed, “You’re probably right, but I can’t tell you how ill I am around most of the men here.”
Emily smiled and said, “Have
you heard from that man of yours?”
“No, he said he was going to be caught up in some problems with command and that he would write later.”
“I wish the two of you were going with me.”
Lydia laughed, “Silly, you’re going with James.”
“You know what I mean.”
There was a knock on the door and Emily went and answered it, “Yes, she’s here.” Emily turned around and said, “Some guy wants to see you, Cyn.”
Cynthia furrowed her brow and went to the door and found AG standing there with a dozen roses. Cynthia squealed and rushed forward knocking the roses from his hand as she wrapped her arm around his neck and kissed him hard. Emily looked at Lydia and saw her smiling. Emily nodded toward the door and Lydia smiled and nodded.
“I’ve missed you, too, Cyn.”
“Oh my love, my life is back.”
Cynthia held on tight and AG smiled over her shoulder, “Hello, Lydia. It’s really good to see you again.”
Lydia rushed forward and hugged AG with Cynthia. Emily could see that both of them really loved the man at the door. She also had to admit that he was quite striking. Those green eyes were amazing. AG leaned back and said, “I understand there is a dance tomorrow night.” Cynthia nodded. “Well, I want you to go with me.” AG looked over Cynthia’s shoulder and said, “And Lydia.”
“Yes.”
“I have a friend with me and I’d like you to go with him. I don’t want to leave him alone in a strange city. Will you do that for me?”
Lydia smiled softly, “You know I will.”
“Why are you here?”
“You’re looking at Harvard’s newest freshman. I’m going to be tied up until tomorrow night with all the administrative details, but I’ll be here to pick you up around seven. Is that alright?”
Cynthia said, “Let me go with you.”
Lydia said, “I don’t have anything to wear.”
Cynthia jerked her head around, “Me either.”
Emily said, “It’s time to power shop.”
Cynthia held on to AG and felt his heart beating faster. “I don’t want to let you go.”
AG looked into her eyes and said, “That will never happen again, my love. You need to go shopping.”
Cynthia turned around, “AG, this is Emily. I’ve written about her.”
AG smiled and Emily was overwhelmed with the sense of presence the young man possessed, “It’s good to finally meet you. Thank you so much for being such a good friend to Cynthia.”
“I’m the one that was fortunate to have found her.”
“I think it was good fortune for both of you. Now I’ve got to get out of here. I’m not supposed to be in your room.” Cynthia kissed him hard again and let him leave.
Emily looked at Lydia, “I’m surprised you agreed to go out with his friend.”
“I’m doing it for AG. The friend won’t be around so I won’t have to hurt his feelings by having to tell him I’m not interested. This way we all get to go to the dance.”
Cynthia was in heaven. He was going to be going to Harvard. Life was wonderful. Then Emily said something that snatched her back to reality, “How are you going to dress tomorrow night?”
Lydia suddenly looked at Cyn and said, “She’s right. What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to be as beautiful as I can possibly be for my chosen. I don’t care what anyone else thinks.”
Lydia smiled, “Wellllll…you could delay the shock.”
“How?”
Lydia told her and she laughed out loud.
• • •
Huang sat on the military transport flying back to China. General Phang was promised to be punished by General Sheng but he suspected that was just a farce. Zheng had requested that Huang be replaced with another and now he was leaving Vietnam. The Premier was furious that they had attempted to kill his representative and there was going to be a period of readjustment. However, they both needed each other so Huang didn’t think anything was going to happen to change the tactics being used by the sadistic leaders in the north.
He looked out the window at the rugged terrain below and thought back to all that he had witnessed in the fight for the hill. The Demon said he was going to have the opportunity to stop his leaders from attacking his domain and incurring the Demon’s wrath. He worried about that but decided to put it out of his mind. His family was waiting on him and it was going to be good to get home. There was a small anxiety in the far recess of his mind and that anxiety remained with him for the rest of his life.
Chapter Nineteen
Cynthia and Lydia walked out into the dorm’s lobby and found AG waiting for them. This was the first time Cynthia had seen AG in a suit and tie and she was stunned at how handsome he was. He had matured and his good looks had become great. Lydia said, “Where’s your friend?”
“He’s outside waiting. He’s still amazed by normal life in America. He wanted to watch the people passing by.” Lydia shrugged and AG said, “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”
Jerry was sitting on a bench feeding some squirrels nuts he had brought with him in the car. The squirrels were usually quite nervous around humans but Lydia saw that two of them were sitting on his shoulder taking nuts directly from his hand. AG said, “Jerry, this is Lydia. She will be your date tonight.”
Jerry stood up and turned around. Lydia froze in her tracks. Jerry looked at her and smiled, “You are far too beautiful to be going out with me.” He turned to AG and said, “You need to find someone that’s not an angel on earth for the likes of me.”
Lydia stared at Jerry and felt his heart. She walked forward and took his arm, “Don’t be silly. You know you’ve been waiting on me your entire life.”
Jerry looked into Lydia’s eyes and his expression softened. His eyes were bright as he said, “I knew that the moment I saw you. The real question is whether or not you see it as well.”
Cynthia stared at Lydia as she said, “I do.”
Jerry pulled Lydia into his arms and said, “I’ve seen your face in a thousand dreams. Now you’re here.”
Lydia hugged him tightly and felt her heart come alive for the first time. She looked over at AG and said, “Thank you.”
AG nodded and Jerry said, “You didn’t tell me the friend I was coming here to help was me.”
“You wouldn’t have come if I told you. Now let’s go have a good time.”
Jerry looked at Cynthia and said, “Why the grey coat. It makes you look huge.”
“How do you know I’m not?”
“AG has shown me pictures.”
“Well, this is how I’ve always dressed here. I don’t want to shock anyone.”
Jerry smiled, “I can see you’re wearing heels. I suspect what’s under that coat will be a surprise.”
Cynthia looked at AG, “This turkey is smart. Where did you find him?”
“Actually, he found me.”
“That figures. Let’s go boogie.”
Lydia followed Jerry and knew that she had finally found the one that measured up to AG. She could feel his inner strength and she knew he would be taking care of her for the rest of her life. Today was her first full day at Harvard.
• • •
The two couples entered the door and Lydia signed Jerry in as a guest and Cynthia and AG showed their student ID’s. No one noticed Cynthia and AG. Everyone immediately saw Lydia Gonzalez in an evening dress and everyone on the dance floor stopped and watched her go to a table with a young man no one had seen before. Many of the men were jealous of Jerry and some even angry that she had agreed to go out with him instead of them. The co-eds started punching their dates and the dancing resumed. Cynthia went and got everyone something to drink and was ignored by everyone as she went by in her bulky grey coat. Some of the co-eds were starting to stare at AG. How in the world did the troll get someone like him to take her to the dance? Some of them decided they were going to find out who he was and move in before the night was ove
r.
The two couples talked for more than an hour catching each other up on all that had happened and then AG heard Jay and the Drifters start singing This Magic Moment. He stood and every woman in the building watched him offer his hand to Cynthia. Cynthia stood and took off her black rimmed glasses and removed the ubiquitous hat she always wore. Their first surprise was when her shoulder length blonde hair fell out. Next she unbuttoned her coat and AG took it off her shoulders and put it on the back of her chair. Silence crashed down on the room and the only sound was of the Drifters singing. Cynthia was in a lime green evening dress that was mid-thigh and shimmered when she moved. AG took her hand and they moved out on the dance floor and waltzed to perfection. Everyone was stunned. Cynthia was absolutely beautiful and her hair swayed with their dance in perfect rhythm.
The one’s shocked the most were the girls that had scorned her over the last two years. They looked at her and all of them immediately felt reduced. Most of them took their dates off the floor leaving it to the couple that moved with a grace that was unbelievable. Emily and James joined Jerry and Lydia at the table and Emily said, “Looks like we may need some ambulances for some of the sorority girls.”
Lydia looked up from Jerry and said, “Looks that way.”
They watched as AG and Cynthia continued to dance.
• • •
One of the faculty members at the dance was Dr. Monroe. She was the one that made the selections to Harvard’s Medical School. She had looked at Cynthia’s request the week before and had turned it down. She just didn’t fit the image they were looking for in their doctors. She saw the beautiful woman on the dance floor and her smile was dazzling. She immediately felt her shame. She had discriminated against her because of her appearance. Now she was going to change that but she regretted that she had not done it before she saw Cynthia’s true appearance. She vowed to never let that happen again.
Many of the sorority officers knew that there was no chance Cynthia would accept membership in their organizations after all the cruel things she had endured. Four weeks later when Cynthia was elected the Home Coming Queen, they had a conversation with their members about how they would change their selection processes in the future. This was not going to happen again.