(I would like to thank all the people who have taken the time to read my stories and comment on them. This is part three in a series with hopefully many more to come. I would also like to thank Teloz for helping me with the editing of all of my work. I hope you enjoy!)
Amelia made her way into the recruiting station. The old building had seen better days, the bricked exterior showed its age and she was sure if its walls could talk it would have many stories to tell. The interior was sterile, the harsh fluorescent light cast an unforgiving glow over everything it touched. As she was joining the Air Force, she worked in the Air Force recruiting office which was tucked neatly between the Army and Marine Corps offices. The ancient building housed all four branches of military service, connected by a single narrow hallway.
The morning was spent doing the usual mundane tasks, it seemed as though it was going to be another boring day. Her stomach rumbled, she looked at the clock for the twentieth time that day and was relieved to see it was almost time for lunch. Her thoughts were interrupted by loud laughter as a group of Marines gathered in the hallway, she peeked into the hallway to get a better look. The Marine recruiter, Staff Sergeant Costway saw her out of the corner of his eye, he motioned her over and introduced her to each of them. She exchanged pleasantries and shook their hands.
Lance Corporal Jason Reeds was the last to introduce himself, he seemed stand offish as he stood in his service C uniform, or charlies as they were often called. He was a stocky man, his tan arms were muscular, his buzz cut hair looked to be dark auburn, his uniform hugged him in all the right places and upon further inspection she discovered he had a very nice behind! When first seeing him, she had thought him to be in his mid thirties, he was not the tallest or most handsome man she had ever seen, to be honest she barely gave him a second look.
"I am trying to convince her to join the Marine Corps, but the Air Force got a hold of her first. Damn shame in my opinion," Staff Sergeant Costway put a firm hand on her shoulder. Before he could utter another word the phone in his office began ringing. "Duty calls," he smiled and briskly made his way to his office.
"Why are you joining the 'Chair Force', can't handle real men?" Lance Corporal Reed asked sarcastically. His comment causing a boom of laughter to erupt from the surrounding Jarheads.
"Aren't you a little old to be picking on a poor defenseless little girl?" She glared at him waiting for some sort of response. His fellow Marines burst into uncontrollable laughter at her remark. "Did I say something funny?" she was slightly intrigued as to why her comment had caused such mirth.
"My nickname is old man Reed, because I look old for my age," he slowly moved toward her, as the other Marines went off to do whatever tasks they had been doing. "I didn't mean anything by my comment earlier, allow me to properly introduce myself, the name's Lance Corporal Jason Reed, but you can call me Jason."
"Hello Jason, I am Amelia Walters, but you can call me Amelia," they shook hands. He smiled at her, and something changed, he no longer looked to be in his thirties, his smile softened his face making him look younger.
"So Amelia, just curious, how old did you think I was when you first saw me?" He looked at her with his intense brown eyes.
"Honestly, I thought you were in your mid thirties, maybe older."
"Ha! That's what most people say, but I actually just turned 21 a few days ago."
"Happy belated birthday, I would have gotten you something had I known," she teased.
"Well you could come to lunch with me, if you wanted to make it up to me, my treat of course!" he exuded such confidence and charisma, she found it nearly impossible to resist him.
"It is the least I can do after missing your birthday," she winked at him and they walked out the door into the mid afternoon sun.
They walked out to his car, a silver Honda hatchback, he opened the passenger side door for her and closed it once she had gotten in. They flirted the entire the way to the restaurant, and she felt a strange connection to him. It was as though she was supposed to be here with him and every moment in her life thus far was leading her to him. She discovered he was home on two weeks leave combined with two weeks of recruiter's assistance, he had just finished thirteen weeks of Boot Camp at Paris Island, South Carolina, he was going to Texas at the end of his leave to complete training to become a telephone communications something or other, he was from the area, and he wasn't in a relationship.
The lunch ended when the time came for him to return to the recruiting station. She was sad to see it end, she wanted to spend more time getting to know this increasingly fascinating man. They drove back, arriving precisely on time. He got out of the car first, walked to her door, opened it and offered his hand to help her out of the car.
"What a gentleman! Why thank you sir." She placed her hand in his, gracefully exiting his vehicle. She curtsied to him and smiled.
"I get off at four o'clock, would you be interested in keeping an old man company tonight?"
"It would be my pleasure. I don't have a car, and I live about forty-five minutes from here, would you be able to give me a lift home afterward?"
"No problem, just meet me here about four o'clock." He made his way into the building and she couldn't help but stare at his scrumptious ass.
Time dragged on, each moment seemed like hours, as her anticipation grew. Four o'clock arrived and she anxiously made her way to the predetermined meeting place. She stood in the warm sun for a few moments nervously fidgeting with her clothes, messing with her hair, and making sure she looked presentable. She propped her foot against the warm brick building, looking up allowing the sun to shine on her face, she breathed in deeply enjoying the beautiful weather. She was so caught up in the moment she didn't notice him standing beside her. He stood there careful not to make a sound, watching her soak up the sun before quietly making his presence known to her.
"You ready to get out of here? I really need to get out of this uniform."
"Sure, ready when you are." She was caught off guard and wondered how long he had been standing there.
Once again he was a complete gentleman, he opened her door, and they made their way to his parents' house. A short time later they pulled into the driveway of a lovely two story home. Jason walked over, opened her door, holding her hand as they walked side by side to the front door.
"Home Sweet Home," he boasted as he turned the key in the lock opening the front door. "You can just have a seat on the sofa, I'm gonna go up to my room to change. Make yourself at home." With that he disappeared up the stairs.
How could she make herself at home? Her home looked nothing like this, she was well aware they were not of the same social class. She had never had a boyfriend, never had to worry about the awkward first meeting with their parents, or deal with the pressure of first impressions. She definitely was not dressed to meet his mother. Amelia was wearing a blue and white striped button up belly shirt, without a bra, her cut off shorts were denim and the fringe touched the edge of her buttocks. Sure the look was great for summer fun, captivating the attention of men, but not quite the look one would wish to present to a potential boyfriend's mother. Up to this point of her visit she had been lucky, his parents were still at work. She passed the time looking at nick knacks, family portraits, and the beautiful decorations, each one strategically placed. She hoped he would finish changing quickly so she could avoid the initial meeting until a day when she was more appropriately dressed.
He came bouncing down the stairs wearing a nice pair of khaki pants, a short sleeve dress shirt, brown dress shoes, and a brown belt. He was a tall drink of water as she let her eyes pass over his fantastic physique, thirteen weeks of boot camp had done his body good. His cologne was intoxicating as it made its way to her. Now she really felt under dressed and self conscience of her appearance.
"Wanna head out?" he looked at her and smiled.
"Sure, where to?" she had no idea where he planned on taking her, she began to think she had made a mistake agreeing to this date without proper time to prepare.
"It's a surprise." he teased.
They walked out the front door, made their way to his car when his mother pulled into the drive behind him. The feeling of dread swept across Amelia, she swallowed hard, feeling a pit form in her stomach. She smiled sweetly at his mother as she made her way to him.
"Hey Mom," he said as he wrapped his arms around her in a hug. "This is Amelia, we met at the recruiting station today, she is joining the Air Force soon. Amelia, this is my mother Kim."