First I would like to begin by this story being purely fictional. However, it is very real in the sense that it could possibly be happening at this moment in time to someone who is reading it. This story is also very personal to me. It reveals some feelings and emotions that I have kept to myself for some time. I have not even shared them with my spouse. Some things however are for adding meat and potatoes to the writing. If it touches you in some way, makes you cry, or causes an emotion of some sort I feel that I have done well in writing it. It is by far one of the hardest things I have tried to write. Thanks for taking the time to read it. Votes and commentary are welcome and appreciated. Also, thank you for supporting the troops and the Wounded Warrior Project. From all of us here in Afghanistan and the troops stateside, we appreciate everything that you all do for us.
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The air was steamy the evening I met him. It was on a hot summer mid western night just after I turned 20 and I was home on break from school. It was very typical weather for late July. I had been bored sitting around my parents' farm and decided to go into town to the local bar and grill which was the closest thing we had to fast food. It was a cozy place and like any small town everyone knew each other.
I did the usual survey of the room as I entered the bar. Susan was working the bar that evening and she offered me a warm smile and wave upon seeing me enter. The rest of the room was filled with the average locals, a few "couples" that were discussing whatever lovers talk about, and several families sitting in the wall booths enjoying a pizza. There was one man though that stood out. He wasn't part of the normal crowd usually seen here. His hair cut was the first give away. It was tightly shaved on the sides, and the top was maybe a 1/2" long. It was the typical "high and tight" military style. I studied him some more as I sat down at the other end of the bar and placed an order for a burger and fries.
I talked with Susan as she worked the bar. I studied the young man, probably in his early 20's similar to myself I concluded. His body was very toned and muscular. The veins in ripped arms were like tracks. His biceps made the sleeves of his tight black t-shirt stretch. His chest was well defined and I couldn't help but wonder what his abs looked like. He was indeed one very sexy looking man and I could feel myself being attracted to him as he casually drank from a long neck of bud light.
"What's his story?" I asked Susan as she set my food down.
"Not sure, he hasn't talked much since getting here. Ordered the same thing as you actually and has sat there watching ESPN. He has been slowly drinking a few beers ever since. He's one sexy fine man that's for damn sure." Susan responded with a wink before walking the bar and fetching another round for those that needed it.
I ate my burger and fries with no complaints. The food was always good and it's why the place stayed in business. I watched the young man but was careful to try not to get caught staring. He was so in a zone he barely seemed to notice the room around him. I figured he looked kind of lonely so I drew up the courage to walk down and sit in the empty seat next to him.
"Is this seat taken?" I asked as I hopped onto the bar stool.
"Guess it wouldn't have mattered, you already sat down." He stated. I was instantly lost in his deep blue eyes despite his rudeness. They bore holes right through me as if he was seeing deep in my soul. I instantly blushed and looked at the mirror behind the bar trying to regain my composure.
"I'm sorry, just got some things on my mind is all." He said a few minutes later. I turned slightly to look at him. He was smiling slightly and it gave me a sense that he was being honest.
"My name is Samantha, how about you?" I asked as I extended my hand to offer a hand shake. His hand reached out for mine and as soon as we touched it instantly sparked something deep inside me. His grip was strong, confident, assuring. It stirred emotions in me like I hadn't felt before. I had a few boyfriends before but none had this much effect on me in such a short amount of time.
"Names Mitch." He said as he shook my hand. There was a hint of a southern drawl mixed in his voice. We started talking of the basics. Where we were from and what we did. Mitch was 22 and worked as a mechanic in the military. He was headed from Wisconsin to Ft. Hood, TX where he was scheduled to deploy with his unit to Afghanistan in two days. He was finishing his leave and had only stopped in town for the night.
We talked for several more hours. I drank my coke and he sipped on several more beers. He appeared to be trying hard to calm his nerves. The more he drank the more his voice slurred in a sexy Texas drawl. I found his voice intoxicating as we carried on our conversation. I learned that back in Wisconsin his family had a horse farm and raised Quarter Horses. We had a strong connection there as my family's farm also raised horses but we raised Paints instead. The longer we talked the more I began to realize I was having feelings for Mitch in more the just a physical way.
"Would you like to dance? I fear it may be the last time I get to dance with such a beautiful lady." Mitch asked. His voice was soft and partially broken. It was the first hint of the emotions he was hiding deep inside. I knew it was the fear of what unknown deadly dangers lay ahead of him in Afghanistan. I found the sound of those words struck fear deep inside me. Fear that I would possibly never get to see Mitch again after tonight. It also caused an uneasy sickening feeling of the thought that Mitch may be killed in combat.