Author's Note: Here is the latest part of the Life of D, again this part narrates the in between times as the character tries to adjust to life after so much violence. There has always been a question asked by philosophers throughout the time that addresses the men of war, can a man that has seen so much violence ever truly walk away from it?
While the stories can give the sense that they happened one after another, the fact is that each of these took months between encounters. This part of the stories might cause the ire of some of the readers because of the lack of sexually graphic scenes, but they are important in establishing the background of the character for the later chapters. Just like the previous chapter, this one might set some triggers for people, so read at your own risk.
I hope you enjoy it, and like always please rate, and comment something constructive. I tend to ignore the angry, nonsensical comments, but those comments, both positive and especially negative, that provide some substance are dully noted. Thank you all.
Much love,
aka_Mike
...
Christina's Canticle
Arizona. To say that this place was hot would be the greatest understatement of the century. It was a true vestige of man's arrogance: building cities in a place that was hotter than the sun. But a job is a job, and this was an opportunity to make a living without having to take a life or without risk of having my life taken. Granted, it was not as good a paycheck but it was still a great paycheck for the amount of work. As soon as I walked into the little town, with nothing but the few belongings that filled my Jeep, I realized that my life had taken a turn. I still wasn't sure if it was for the better or for the worse, but it was a turn nonetheless.
I managed to land an apartment in some shitty complex, it was the first one I had found that had any available places so there was not much I could do to complain about it. I needed to get my things ready for the following day, this would be my first government job as a civilian and I honestly had no clue what to expect. A restless night filled with thoughts of my girls, Martha and Rebecca, and a growing tightness in my pants made sure that I got few hours of sleep that night.
"Hi," the short, redhead said as I walked into the building, this is where I would spend the next week doing class after class, death by power point. One after another, click after click, droning voice after droning voice the days came and went before I met my supervisor. She was... interesting to say the least: wrinkled uniform, hair out of regulation, nails colored in an unauthorized shine, and when she spoke whatever façade of professionalism completely disappeared.
"Oh damn, it's one hot day today, I should've
axed
someone else to come down here, I'm missing some great air conditioning. Ya'll D..."
"Yes," I interrupted, "just D, Sergeant Bell. Nice to meet you," I said as I extended my hand, a frail and soft hand took it and made the slightest attempt to shake it.
"Let's get you settled," she replied, "I read your resume, you got some great experience, you're gonna hit the ground running. Got some SOPs that need work in the clinic, and I think you're the person to get it done."
"I didn't realize that would be part of my duties," I replied.
"Normally it wouldn't," she said as she walked away, "but you seem to be good at it from what your resume said, that would be a great help to me. I'll see you at the clinic, Mr. D." With that she walked away, I had no idea which clinic she was referring to, where I would be working, and exactly when I should be there. I had just met my boss, and already she had annoyed me, this was not going to be an easy transition.
Eventually I found my work station, by found I mean I was walking around the hospital looking as lost as a pup when a staffer took mercy on me and walked me to my clinic, of course my boss was out in a meeting when I made it in. Another clinic person introduced me to everyone in the clinic, showed me where my desk would be, and gave me a list of important phone numbers that I would need to know. I sat in my desk, literally sat there. When closing time came around, I got up and walked out with everyone. I kept this routine for three days before someone noticed that I was just sitting there, doing absolutely nothing but staring into the walls.
"What are you doing?" Mr. Head, a retired Colonel asked me. He was older, much older than me, in fact not only was he retired as a Colonel, but he was nearing the time when he would retire from civil service.
"Sitting here," I replied, "waiting for my first line to give me some instructions. How are you, Mr. Head?"
"Well," he said, "it was a somewhat boring morning until just about now. Is this what you have been doing these past days?"
"Pretty much," I replied with a smirk, "I don't have access to the network, I don't have the email set, hell I don't even have my hospital identification card because my first line has to sign for all of that. And honestly, if I leave this clinic I would probably get lost."
"Well," Mr. Head replied with a bellowing laugh, "I don't blame you one bit, but if you're really going to wait until she gets her head out of her ass, you might as well wait in a place where you'll be comfortable. You're a smoker, aren't you?"
"Yes, sir."
"Come on," he said, again laughing, "let's go show you where the real business is completed." We walked together to the back of the hospital and found the smoker's shack, it had a roof overhead and a few tables. But in that little area were sitting and standing about 18 people, all talking loudly and laughing. As we walked in, Mr. Head did not waste any time introducing me and telling everyone about what I had been doing the past few days. The laughter became much louder, a few hands patted me in the back and few others just shook their heads in complete solidarity.
"Don't hold your breath," one said.
"I wonder how long you'll be able to get away with it" someone else said.
"I'm surprised they haven't noticed" a third one said. All comments were like this, more and more laughter joined as more people came outside as smokers who had just finished their break went back and spread the story. Friday morning came too soon and the adventure had to come to an end.
I was again sitting in my desk, simply staring into the wall and floor. I could hear Mr. Head's laughter every time he walked by and the other clinic personnel soon would join with a smirk or a giggle. It was that fateful Friday when I met the Hospital Commander and the Human Resources Chief
"Who are you?" Colonel Moran looked me up and down, instinctively I stood up at the position of attention as an officer spoke to me.
