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The Grey Man- Changes

Page 16

by JL Curtis


  Corporal Sessions replied, “Aye aye Gunny. Going out on chat now.” Ragsdale nodded as he ran from the TOC.

  The Army sergeant said, “Two little birds available, but it will take them an hour to get here. Do we need the duty medevac?”

  Aaron said, “Yeah, get them all in the air. Hopefully we won’t need the little birds, but I think we’re going to need the medevac.”

  “Rog.”

  Aaron paced and tried to pick out what was happening in the mishmash of radio traffic, added to by the QRF hitting the gate running. Lieutenant Keenan from the 101st ran in, dropped his battle rattle at the door and asked Aaron for an update. Aaron gave him the current status as he knew it, and Keenan made the circuit of the operators getting updates from each of them.

  The sergeant on the air stack yelled over, “Little birds are fifteen out, they were apparently up trying to get to FOB Delta. One gunship, one with four Hellfires, twenty minute delay and they’ll have to come here for gas. I’m shifting control to McKenzie. They’re calling ceilings two hundred and a quarter vis.”

  Aaron gave him a thumbs up and looked at the lieutenant. “Can you get the gas passers ready to fuel them?” Keenan nodded and picked up the phone. Aaron yelled back to the sergeant, “Status on the medivac?”

  “Thirty out. Where do you want to send them?”

  Aaron picked up the mic. “Apache, TOC. Status on the Gunny, Over.”

  Doc Wells came on the radio a minute later. “TOC, Gunny is in the MRAP. Shot through both legs, got tourniquets on but he needs evac sooner rather than later. I’m on the last bag of saline now. We’re-” The rest of the transmission was stomped on by the major leading the QRF detailing how he wanted the QRF to deploy and attack the four compounds.

  Aaron pounded the map table in frustration, and looked for a good location to send the medivac. He remembered a good level spot, maybe two kilometers from the first village. He found it on the map, called over the GRG to the sergeant and told him to pass it to the medivac. The major finally finished his deployment orders and Aaron jumped in, “Apache, TOC. Medivac will be at-” His transmission was over ridden by the Major again, and Aaron dropped the mic in frustration, turning to Keenan. “What the fuck? Does he not listen before he keys up?”

  Lieutenant Keenan shrugged. “He’s a hard charger. He figures he’s large and in charge out here. And no, it looks like he doesn’t listen.”

  Captain Ragsdale came on the radio very calmly, “TOC, Apache actual. Say again GRG for medivac. Will detail one GMV to provide security. Over”

  Aaron called out the GRG and heard the captain roger up for it. Then the QRF engaged the four compounds, and the radios went back to a mishmash of noise. Aaron and the Keenan looked at each other in amazement, as radio discipline broke down with the Major shouting orders and directions in an almost continuous stream. Aaron heard something on another speaker, and turned it up, finding it was the JTAC channel and McKenzie was confidently controlling and advising the two little birds, including warning them on RPGs and the one large machine gun the Taliban had apparently smuggled into the northwestern compound.

  After what sounded like either two or three passes, he heard the little birds call Winchester, and say they were heading for the FOB. The lieutenant nodded, and picked up the phone, alerting the refueling crew the helos were inbound. Aaron said, “Lieutenant, we might have the right belted ammo, depending on what guns the helo has. We can probably get at least that one reloaded.” Leaning over, he told the sergeant to get an ammo requirement from the little birds, and turned back to the map table.

  Frustrated with not being able to keep up with what is going on, he walked back to the coffee pot and drew another cup. He was too far away from the speaker to hear the transmission, so he ran back, but still didn’t catch all of the words. In the process he sloshed half the coffee over his hand, and cussing turned to Sessions, “Did you catch that?”

  Sessions replied, “Yeah, Gunny, sounds like the patrol is disengaged. They’re exiting the firefight. Four for medivac, Gunny and three soldiers two Army and one ANA, one of whom appears to have been hit by friendly fire. Doc’s got ‘em all in the MRAP.”

  Aaron said, “Oh, just fucking lovely, that’s all we need is a blue on blue.”

  Sessions asked, “You want me to send an OPREP on it?”

  “Nope,” Aaron replied. “We’ll need details. I’m not sending shit till we have some answers.”

  Another tense twenty minutes went by, and Aaron finally heard the QRF disengaging and the major giving orders for all units to return to the FOB. Aaron glanced at his watch and was amazed to see that over two hours had passed. Forty-five minutes later, the patrol and QRF rolled back through the gate, and Aaron met them as they rolled up in front of the TOC.

  Doc Wells was covered in blood from the waist down, and said quickly, “Gunny should be okay. He took at least two rounds through both thighs. He’s pissed. The ANA guy, Mohammad, took a round through the helmet, but he’s conscious and he’ll live. The two Army guys were minor’s they’ll be okay I think. One of them got a concussion when the Hellfire blew the back door off the compound, and the door hit him in the head.”

  Aaron sighed with relief. “Good, so no blue on blue?” Aaron realized he was sweating and shook his head. Captain Ragsdale and the major climbed out of the last MRAP, in deep conversation and Ragsdale waved Aaron toward the TOC.

  Ragsdale pulled Aaron to the side as they entered the TOC saying, “We’re back. You didn’t send the OPREP, did you?”

  Aaron said, “No, sir. I wasn’t going to send it without more details.”

  “Good. It wasn’t really a blue on blue, more like a stupid move. Some 101st guys got behind the northwestern compound and didn’t hear the helo’s weapon away call. One guy got hit with the door. I got a body count of thirty-three Taliban, but the Major thinks there were more. Those compounds sure as hell weren’t empty! The only bad injury was Gunny Mayhew. I’ll do the injury report since I’ve already interviewed him and the team.”

  Aaron said, “Thank you, sir. And it truly sucks having to sit back here. Comms were screwed up, and we couldn’t copy half of what was going on. The major just keyed up anytime he wanted to and overrode everybody.”

  Ragsdale nodded, “Yeah, that wasn’t pretty.”

  Matt and Felicia

  Matt and Felicia looked nervously at each other, then across the table at Jesse. Both of them started talking at the same time and Jesse burst out laughing. “It’s about time y’all made a decision.”

  Matt ducked his head. “We wanted you to know first. Christmas was when we actually made the decision, but we decided to wait until I could get a ring for Felicia and do it proper.”

  Felicia chimed in, “All I got at Christmas was when was I going to make a decision, and the family has already pretty much accepted Matt. Angelina basically told me I was a fool if I didn’t latch onto him now, before he got away.”

  Jesse replied, “Well, considering all of us knew the two of you were in love, it was really a question as to how long it would be before either y’all realized it or we hit you over the head. Let me be the first to offer congratulations! Matt, I gotta know-”

  Matt looked at Jesse quizzically. “What?”

  “Did you ever imagine meeting Papa and I would turn into this?”

  Matt laughed. “Not in a million years! I never figured to see y’all again after that shoot in West Virginia, much less come to Texas, or what has happened since.” Reaching over he grasped Felicia’s hand. “Since I made master sergeant in October that opens up some different opportunities to stay here at Pendleton, or at least close to here. And there’s always MCRD at San Diego as an alternative. I’m coming up on twenty also.”

  “Twenty?” Jesse asked.

  “Yep, I can retire at twenty if they really piss me off. It’s not a ton of money, but I can always find another job, and there’s a pretty good network of retired Marines that are willing and able to help newly
retired out. It’s pretty much deciding where-”

  Felicia piped up, “Texas. That is the only place we will go.”

  Laughing, Matt replied, “Yes, dear.” Prompting Felicia and Jesse to laugh at the incongruity of that tone of voice from someone like Matt.

  Jesse finally said, “You’re learning.” And they dissolved into laughter again.

  Matt assumed an injured expression and said, “Hey, now, we’re trainable. They say y’all aren’t matriarchal, but I’ve seen Grandma Lopez in action, and I will not piss her off. She knows way too many people, and I’m damn sure more than a few of them have land and backhoes.”

  Felicia and Jesse started laughing again, until Felicia squeezed Matt’s hand tightly, “Abuela Lopez likes you Matt. Ever since you got down on the floor and played with the kids, she’s been saying you were a good and humble man. And all the kids love you, especially Pedro.”

  Matt winced at that, and Jesse laughed again, “Just make sure if you play horsey with him again, he doesn’t get to have his boots on, Matt.”

  Matt finally laughed as Felicia turned red, remembering how she thought everyone would blame her for hitting Matt. She had thought they would think he doing something he shouldn’t be doing, rather than getting a black eye from little Pedro’s boot.

  Felicia continued, “I knew for sure when Abuelo Ortega loaned you his truck at Christmas.”

  Matt looked at her, “Why? I mean I’m not complaining. It was a helluva lot better than Angelina’s little car. It’s an old truck, but it ran well.”

  Felicia laughed. “He never lets anyone even drive that truck, Matt. Ever! That he trusted you with it, well that meant you’d been accepted by both sides of the family.”

  Matt sat back stunned, as Jesse asked, “When are you planning the wedding?”

  Felicia shrugged. “We’re not sure. As you know, it always depends on family. And you know how my family is. But since this is a second marriage, I think it won’t be as big a ceremony as the first one.”

  Matt said, “Maybe we could get the preacher and the padre to do a joint ceremony like what y’all had.” Glancing over at Felicia, he continued, “Or not. Or we could elope, I’m happy either way.”

  Jesse laughed. “Well, you know you will have absolutely no control of this, right Matt?”

  “I learned that during your wedding Jesse, and you know what? It actually doesn’t bother me. As long as I know when to show up and what to wear, I’m good with it.”

  Felicia reached over and punched Matt’s arm, hurting her hand as she said, “Damn you and your muscles. You better be there, and sober too! I’ve heard the stories about Marines and bachelor parties, so no bachelor party either! I don’t want any body parts painted.”

  Matt smiled. “Not even married yet and I’m already henpecked. But I guess it comes with the territory, right?”

  Felicia stuck her tongue out at Matt and Jesse said, “Okay, I’m leaving before this gets totally out of hand. PT today kicked my ass, and I need to go soak what few muscles I have left. Y’all play nice!”

  Jesse eased herself up and carried her dishes into the kitchen, then hobbled down the hallway to her and Aaron’s room. She logged onto her computer and sent a quick email to Aaron that therapy was going okay, and that Matt and Felicia had finally made it official. Date to be determined. Signing off with “I love you,” she closed the computer and went to take a long hot bath.

  ***

  The next morning Matt put in a chit to see the Chaplain, and made an appointment to see the sergeant major while he was up on main post. He also sent a quick email to Aaron, asking him to be the best man, whenever they decided to do the deed.

  ***

  Felicia called Angelina as she drove to work and started the ball rolling. Now that she actually had a ring on her finger, she thought about how lucky she was. She said a quick prayer and hoped there wouldn’t be any family issues over this, since Matt was not only wasn’t Mexican, he wasn’t Catholic either. She knew Abuela Lopez didn’t care about that and was on her side, which would take care of half the family, but she wasn’t so sure about Abuela Santiago. She’d never warmed to Matt, and pretty much ignored him every time they’d visited the family. When she mentioned that to Angelina, there was a minute of silence and then Angelina said simply, “We’ll handle it.”

  ***

  Matt knocked on Sergeant Major Eberhart’s door and heard. “Enter, master sergeant, sit and take a load off. What can I do for you on this fine Marine Corps day?”

  Suddenly nervous, Matt replied, “Sar’major I’m getting married.”

  “You’re what? Eberhart asked, leaning forward and focused completely on Matt.

  “I’m getting married. Probably in the next six months. To Felicia. You met her at the change of command last month,” Matt said.

  Eberhart rocked back in his chair. “Matt, is this a have to or a want to? You’ve been single now what, thirteen, fourteen years?”

  “Fourteen years this month, sar’Major. I got burned pretty bad by the starter wife and I figured I’d never try that again, but this time it’s different.”

  “She’s Mexican, right?”

  Bristling Matt replied, “No, she’s American, born and raised in Texas. Her family came to Texas in the eighteen nineties.”

  Eberhart asked, “But doesn’t she work as some kind of translator for Border Patrol?”

  “Yep, she speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and something else, but I can’t remember off the top of my head. I met her last year down in Texas at the Cronin’s.”

  “Oh yeah, the whole shooting incident, right? During that?”

  “Well, before that, but yeah in that time frame. And we’ve dated, I guess you’d say for almost a year now. We kinda talked about it when Staff Sergeant Miller got married, and we decided at Christmas. I made it official last night with a ring,” Matt said.

  Eberhart asked, “Any rugrats?”

  “Nope, I didn’t have any and neither does she. Her first husband died before they had any kids.”

  Eberhart shrugged. “Okay, Matt, if this is what you’re set on doing, I’m not going to stand in your way. You’re not an E-3 needing command permission. Where’s the wedding going to be? Texas?”

  “Thanks, sar’major. It’ll be in Texas sometime after Miller gets back. He’s going to be the best man.”

  “Okay, get outta here. I got real work to do. Send the wife and me an invitation, not that we’ll make it, but Marlene will give me a ration of shit if she finds out from somebody else.”

  Matt got up and headed for the door saying, “Will do, sar’major.”

  The meeting with the chaplain didn’t go nearly as well, since the chaplain decided he should council both of them prior to giving his approval, and he wanted to have them be married by him. Matt not so gently reminded the chaplain he wasn’t an E-3, and didn’t need his permission, nor was he planning to get married in the chapel on base. All Matt needed was a check in the block on the form.

  After disengaging from the chaplain, he grabbed a sandwich and headed back to the range and the remainder of his paperwork, alternating between wondering at what the hell he was doing, and relief that he’d finally told Felicia he wanted to marry her.

  When he got back to the range, Toad took one look and said, “Damn, you finally did it didn’t you Matt?”

  Grumpily, Matt said, “What?”

  Toad grinned. “You and Felicia, you’re going to get married. About damn time! We all figured you two must be either blinder than bats, or stupid. One or the other.”

  Matt put his head in his hands. “Was it that damn obvious?”

  Toad laughed. “Oh, hell yes! At least to all of us, and especially since Christmas, so when and where? Oh, lemme guess. Texas!”

  Matt sighed. “Wherever Felicia wants it, but probably Texas. It’ll be after Aaron gets back.”

  Toad said, “That works. Big or small one?”

  “Ask Felicia,” Matt replied. “I don’t kn
ow. I just, well I don’t know.”

  Toad laughed again. “Just say ‘yes, dear’ a lot and it’ll all be good!”

  Matt pegged an M-16 magazine at Toad for that, which set both of them to laughing.

  Visitors

  The old man picked up the mic in his car as he drove north under I-10. “Dispatch, car four. Show me out of the weekend. I’m done!”

  Lisa replied, “Dispatch copies. Have a good weekend, captain.”

  “Will do,” the old man replied, putting the mic back on its hanger. Yogi woofed softly from the back seat and laid his head on the center console, as the old man unconsciously reached down and petted him. “Well, we survived another one, dog. Do you want to go home or go to the truck stop and see if there’s anybody for you to play with?”

  Yogi whined and the old man laughed. “Fat lot of help you are, dog. I guess it’s home for us. I know Olivia put stuff in the fridge, and I probably ought to eat it before it goes bad.” Yogi whined again and woofed, so the old man continued up Highway 18. Pulling into the front drive, the old man nodded as the perimeter lights came on, and he was glad Felix and Ricky had figured out the short in the wiring for the sensors. He remembered that was why they’d disconnected them before: they worked sometimes, and sometimes not.

  Easing out of the car, he opened the back door and called Yogi out. Yogi leapt out and immediately started what the old man had come to think of as his patrol around the yard. The old man stretched and rolled his shoulders, trying to ease his tired muscles. Stepping onto the porch, he saw Yogi had finished his business and called, “Yogi, in!”

  Yogi jumped up on the porch and sat obediently until the old man fumbled with the new keys and unlocked the front door, then snuck past the old man into the house. The old man thought, this is pretty fucking sad. I’m forced into locking a house that never had keys that I can remember. Ricky and Felix carrying guns, and me not walking out of the house without one on, either. Gahdammit, how did we get to this place? An empty house isn’t a home. It’s just a collection of wood and glass. I’m not sleeping for shit. I’m getting more and more paranoid too. Maybe I just need to-

 

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