Returning Home

Authors note: I would like to say goodbye to an old friend. "Techsan" was one of my editors and has been with me since I started writing stories in Aug. 2005. He along with others made my stories a much better read. He will be missed. Farewell old friend, God be with you.

A big thank you goes out to LadyCibelle and Miss Lynn for helping edit this story. Without their editing prowess, this story would have never been submitted.

Chapter 1

I had my final discharge papers after serving six years in the Army. It was a great day for me. I still had on my uniform as I was driving home after purchasing my new (used) truck. It might have been a couple of years old but it was new to me and it was mine. I even paid cash for it.

I had about forty miles to go when I stopped for gas. It was at one of these convenience store places. I slipped in my credit card when a car pulled in. It was facing me since we had the fuel filler door on opposite sides of our vehicle. I could see through the other car's front window.

There was a nice looking woman and it looked like two young kids in the back seat. They were both in some type of car seat. I watched the young woman get out of the car and slip her credit card into the slot.

I was filling my tank on the automatic while checking out the woman. She never started pumping her gas. Instead, she took her card and went into the store. I figured the machine wouldn't take her card.

The little girl in the back seat could see me and kept waving to me. Of course, I smiled and waved back. She kept doing it and laughing, so I kept waving back at her.

The woman came out looking really mad. I finished filling my tank and walked over to her car, and asked her if I could assist her in any way.

"He used up my debit card and I can't get gas, the bastard," said the young woman.

She looked up at me and apologized to me. "I'm sorry," she said while looking through her purse. "I wasn't really talking to you. I was just talking out loud. My boyfriend or should I say ex-boyfriend must have used up the total on our joint debit card. I need gas to get to where I'm going and only have ten dollars in my purse."

I heard the little girl in the back seat say, "Mommy, I'm hungry. When are we going to McDonalds?"

Her mom answered her. "Molly, I'm sorry, Sweetie; but Mommy doesn't have enough money to go out to eat. I'm lucky if I have enough money for gas to get to Aunt Susie's."

"You promised us Mommy..."

"Molly, please... not now. Mommy has to think for a minute. You talk to Robbie for a minute while Mommy figures out what to do."

"Maybe I can help. Let me give you a few dollars for gas and you can use your money for McDonalds."

"Why would you do that? You don't even know me," said the lady.

"I'm Sergeant or at least I was Sergeant Brown until earlier today. I retired from the military and I'm heading home. This is one of the best days of my life and I would like to help you out."

"I can't just accept money from you. We don't even know each other."

"I'm Jess Brown and who may you be?" I asked.

"I'm sorry, I'm Chrissy Lane. The little girl with the curly red hair is Molly. The little boy is my son Robbie. We just left a bad living situation and are headed to a friend's house."

Molly spoke out, "I'm four years old and Robbie is going on two. He's my little brother. My Daddy was a hero. Mommy showed us his picture. He has a uniform on just like you. Did you know my Daddy? He died."

God, what was I supposed to say to this little girl? She was as cute as a button. She reminded me of the little red-haired girl in the Peanuts comic strip.

"No, honey, I didn't know your dad personally but I did hear his name mentioned and he was a hero. He even got the purple heart."

"Yes he did, mommy showed it to me," she said with a smile.

Of course, I didn't know her dad's name or even what branch of the service he was in, but she was happy with my reply. All those killed in the line of duty get the Purple Heart.

Chrissy smiled at me and then her face looked scared. "Oh my God, I left my stupid debit card in the store. I have to go back and get it."

While she walked back in the store I handed Molly a folded twenty dollar bill and told her to keep it a secret till after I left and then to tell her mommy that she was going to treat her to dinner at McDonalds. "Can you keep it a secret?" I asked Molly.

"Yes I can. Mommy's going to be surprised."

I went over to the pump, slipped in my credit card and started filling her tank. She came out of the store and asked me, "What are you doing?"

I smiled at her. "You look smarter than that. I'm putting gas in your car. It's almost full now."

"$65.00! I don't have enough money to pay for it," said Chrissy.

"I put it on my credit card. Don't worry about it," I replied.

"I can't accept that; I don't know you."

"Yes you do, I introduced myself, remember? Jess Brown. Look Chrissy, I just got out of the service. I spent six years helping people in foreign countries that I don't even know. I'm happy that I can help a fellow American in need. Please, just accept it, besides it's already paid for."

"I'll pay you back. Give me your address and I'll send you the money."

"Okay, I'll tell you what. Here's my cell phone number. If you want to pay me back, just call and I'll let you know my address then. I'm staying at my parents' for a few weeks till I get settled in."

"That's fair enough. I promise you I'll repay you. Thank you so much for helping us out."

I walked to the side window and said goodbye to a smiling Molly and her brother Robbie. They sure were some cute kids. Maybe someday I would be so lucky to have kids that seemed as nice as they did. Molly was still smiling as I said goodbye to Chrissy.

"What's so funny, Molly?" Chrissy asked with a smile.

"I can't tell you yet, Mommy. I have to wait till Jess leaves." The little gal even remembered my name.

I said goodbye once again and drove out of the parking lot. I was just out of sight of Chrissy's vision when I saw her open the car door and look around. Molly must have told her about dinner. I saw her get back in and drive over to the McDonald's parking lot across the street

My heart really felt good as I headed on home to my parents. I still had a good forty miles to go before getting home.

.

When I got to the house, my mom and dad, my brother Bill and my sister Sue all greeted me. After all the hugs and kisses, we talked for a few minutes. Mom told me they were throwing me a party the next day and asked if I would wear my uniform.

I told her I would. Both my brother and sister told me that they would see me the next day. They would bring their families then since they just stopped by to welcome me home. After they left I changed my clothes and sat down to a home cooked meal. Nobody could cook as good as my mom.

Dad and Mom lived in the country. Dad still worked at the mill and did a little farming, if you want to call it that. They had some rabbits that dad raised and mom took care of the chickens. They had two dogs and a goat. There were always cats wandering around the place. I couldn't even guess how many. All I know is my mom fed them. Dad said they helped keep down the mouse population.

They had eggs for sale and about three times a year dad sold most of the rabbits. He liked them to get between four and eight pounds to get the best price but always kept a few for breeding. He told me it took about nine weeks for the rabbits to multiply. After that, he just raised them.

Of course, like most country or at least farm people, they had a big garden. My brother and sister both lived in town but did help my parents with the garden. We really did have a caring family.

The house was much bigger than they needed but it's the only house I ever remember. I had my own room, which was kind of in the attic. Mom had all my old stuff still in there. They used it for a storage room now. After eating, I went up and moved most of the stored stuff into the back of the attic, and got my room livable again. I didn't know how long I would be living there.

I sat on my bed and wondered about that woman that I helped. What exactly was her story? She was a pretty gal with a natural beauty about her. You could tell Molly took after her with the red hair. I had to wonder if I should have gotten her address, but then again what kind of woman was she. She had two kids, supposedly a dead husband and an ex-boyfriend. That was quite a bit of luggage there.

A little bit about my past life; I was born and raised right here in this very house. My brother Bill was older than me and went to college. He was in management at the mill where pop worked. He told me to come and see him when I returned from the service and he'd help find me a job.

Sue was my little sister. She was four years younger then me. When I went in the service, I was twenty and she was a sophomore in high school. Now she was married with a child of her own that just turned one. I was gone for the full six years and only made it home for two weeks after boot camp. I was stationed overseas so I didn't want to spend all my free time on airplanes.

I missed my family but I had to get away from a bad relationship. I guessed that's why I joined in the first place. I'll try to explain a little of my past.

I had a girlfriend by the name of Brenda. We were like lifetime girlfriend and boyfriend; we grew up together and went to grade school together. Her parents lived on the farm next to us. In fact, her parents still live there.

We dated in high school but that's when things seemed to change. She was involved in cheerleading and I was somewhat of a nerd and not into sports. It wasn't that I wasn't physically fit because I was. I actually worked out a few days a week. It was that I didn't want to use all my free time playing sports.

My senior year I did run cross-country. Of course, Brenda and I saw less and less of each other. After one of our school's cross-country meets, I headed into the shower at the school. When I came out, I saw Brenda leaning up again the wall talking with one of the football players. They were way too close for comfort in my opinion.

When they saw me, Matt quickly put a little distance between them. Brenda looked a little shocked when she saw me. I didn't say anything at that time but I knew our relationship wasn't looking too cool.

We did go to the prom together and that night was the first penetration sex I ever had. We had played around a lot but this was the real thing. It's something you never forget. I didn't last very long. We were in the car and she still had on her prom dress. We got into the back seat and I started feeling her off like she always let me do. I've even fingered her quite a few times and she masturbated me a couple of times, but this time we went all the way.

Looking back it was a bit funny. Ever since the tenth grade, I carried condoms in my wallet. I wanted to be prepared if it ever happened. It finally did two years later. I was so excited. I told her how much I loved her and wanted to be with her forever. She smiled but never responded in a like manner. I found out why a few weeks later at a graduation party.

One of the other cheerleaders was throwing a graduation party. She invited me, which was kind of a surprise because I wasn't really part of the jock group. I told Brenda that I wasn't going seeing I didn't hang with these people. She just told me it was my loss, that they were fun people.

I changed my mind and drove over later to Lynn's house. The party was going pretty good. Lynn's older brother and sister were overseeing the party. Believe it or not, there was no booze just lots of food and loud music. It was in the country so no one minded.

Lynn was surprised when I showed up. "Jess, you came. I saw Brenda come with Matt. She said you were a party pooper. Did you two break up?"

I was lost for words. "Umm...I umm...I just changed my mind. Where is Brenda anyway? I don't see her or Matt."

"Oh God! Jess, please don't make a scene at my party."

"What are you talking about? Where are they, Lynn? Tell me now or there will be a scene," I replied.

She walked back to the barn with me and we walked in. There was my supposed girlfriend fucking on a blanket lying on the hay. It took them a while to notice us.

Brenda screamed when she saw me. Matt pulled out quickly and his cock went soft. He looked a sight with his pants down around his ankles. He reached over and grabbed a pitchfork that was nearby. He held it out as if he was going to stab me.

Matt was scared to death. "Jess, this isn't what it looks like."

"What? It looks like you're fucking my girlfriend." I was rather calm but very mad.

"I love her and she loves me. We've been lovers for months now. She was afraid to tell you."

"Months? We went to the prom last month. Were you with her before that?" I asked.

"Yes, ever since you saw us together at the school. I'm sorry Jess but I really love her. I'm willing to fight for her if you give me time to pull my pants up."

Now it all came together. She went to the prom with me because our parents were friends. The reason she never said she loved me was because she didn't. I guess I wasn't her first; Matt got that privilege or someone else did. She had now pulled her shorts back up and stood next to Matt. He saw I wasn't about to attack him and set down the pitchfork and pulled his pants back up.

"Well Brenda, is it true? Are you in love with Matt? Was he the one who took your cherry? I know it wasn't me."

Matt looked at me. "What are you saying, Jess?"

"I'm saying that the first time Brenda and I made love, oh, let me change that. The first time we had sex was on prom night. We did it one more time in the barn last Saturday. So I guess your new girlfriend has some explaining to do."

"He's lying to you Matt. We never did it prom night or last week. It was only one time and it was before you and I were together. Honest Matt! He's just trying to put thoughts in your mind," said Brenda.

I stared at her. I guess she must have told Matt that she was a virgin and I took it from her. What the hell was I supposed to say. What good would it do to argue with her about me taking her cherry? I knew I didn't and now I knew Matt didn't; that meant she had sex with at least one other guy while we were together.

I told Matt, "She's all yours Buddy. Not only is she a cheat but she's a fucking liar. She isn't worth fighting over." I turned and pushed my way past Lynn who looked disgusted by it all.

"Thanks for not fighting Jess; I really appreciate it. I'm so sorry; you're too nice a guy to be cheated on," said Lynn as I walked to my car.

"As you can see Lynn, nice guys finish last," I said as I drove away.

I was glad our houses had a good fifty yards separating them. I really didn't want to see her again. For a young guy I guess I felt betrayed and it stuck with me. I had a hard time trusting women after that.

I got a part time job working in a computer store while I took electronic courses. Mom and dad were already helping Bill with his college expenses and I didn't want to burden them with more. I knew they would go into debt to help put me through but I wasn't going to let that happen. I figured I'd just take courses and see if that's where my interest truly was.

I was on a fairly tight schedule since I worked at the store six days a week, attended classes three nights a week and tried to work out twice a week. I wanted to forget about Brenda and I felt if I kept busy that it would be easier.

It was harder during the summer because at night I could see the house from my third floor room. With binoculars, I could see her and Matt must have worked things out. He must have liked her enough to believe her or he just liked the sex.

One day at work, I looked up and saw Lynn come in the store. She needed to replace her keyboard and mouse on her computer. We talked for a little bit and she thanked me again for not ruining her graduation party.

"What would I have gained by doing that? You were always nice to me even though I wasn't part of your group," I responded.

"Jess, maybe you never noticed but a lot of girls were interested in you. It's just that you were always with Brenda and never asked any of us out," replied Lynn.

"What, I swear I didn't know. I guess looking back I passed up on some opportunities to date a few nice looking gals," I said as I smiled.

Lynn smiled and paid for her purchases. She would be attending college in the fall. I thought 'what the hell'. "Lynn, would you like to take in a movie Saturday night? I'll even let you pick it out."

She smiled and said, "Why not, you know where I live; pick me up at 6:00."

I was a bit nervous. Lynn would actually be the only girl I dated other then Brenda. I didn't have to worry because Lynn was fun to be with. We saw a comedy and stopped off at a fast food place to get a meal. Lynn did tell me that she knew of Brenda cheating but didn't want to get involved. She said Brenda had dated a couple of guys that were in college.

Lynn told me she dated too, but didn't have a steady boyfriend; that was the difference between her and Brenda. We kissed goodnight but it wasn't a passionate sort of kiss. We went out one more time before she went away to college. At least she was up front with me. We were going out as friends.

The summer went by quickly and most of my old friends headed off to college somewhere. Of course, some were out there looking for work. The job market was kind of tight. I went on with my life, taking electronic classes and working at the store.

I did date a few of the customers. We had sex but I never built any kind of close relationships with these girls/women. They all dated other people and I guess I was just another date. I guess I shouldn't look at it that way but it was kind of how I felt. We all just had sex for the sake of sex.

It was almost a year later when an Army recruiter came into the store looking for some electronic equipment. He started talking to me about enlisting in the Army. I told him that I was about to finish another electronics class and he explained to me that if I were to enlist and pass the qualified test that the Army would pay for my education. I could learn in the service.

I knew some of what he was feeding me was a line of bullshit, but also there was a lot of truth in it. I talked to my parents about it. They stood behind my decision even though they worried about me. I took the entrance tests and qualified for the electronics program. I wanted a week to think about it and the recruiter gave me the time. The problem was if I wanted that specific program, I would have to sign up for six years with deployment overseas. That was no bullshit.

That very night I was lying on my bed looking out the window and trying to reach a decision. From a distance, it looked like Brenda was home again. I looked out through my binoculars and saw she was in a car with a guy I didn't recognize. By the way the car was bouncing around, I figured she was cheating on Matt again. I almost wanted to call him but thought better of it. She wasn't my concern anymore.

I guess that was the breaking point for me. I wanted to go on with my life. I wanted a career in electronics and the Army was laying it all out there for me. I called the recruiter on Monday and signed the papers. The next six years of my life would belong to the Army.

My sister Sue cried along with mom but I told them I would be fine. I could tell my dad was proud of me. He even had tears in his eyes. It made me think of how all across the country there were many guys and gals enlisting just like me. All these families would be touched just like mine. It was an awesome thought.