CHAPTER TWO
Melanie
Mom and Sam got married in a small ceremony at the hospital chapel. It was really sweet, just the four of us, my mom, my new dad, the pastor, and me as the witness. I have to admit – I was kind of relieved that Saxon and Stryke hadn’t been able to make it. It was finals week at their high school, and their mom wouldn’t let them take any time off from studying. Guess there was no love lost between Sam and his ex-wife.
The wedding was sweet, simple and straightforward. My mom and stepdad hadn’t wanted a huge shindig because it was the second marriage for both, so low key and low profile were the way to go. And my mom’s quality of life was about to improve – I was finally off to college and Noreen was free to enjoy her golden years with her new husband.
But unexpectedly, I got a call from Mom in the middle of the day, when she normally would have been at work.
“Melly, Sam’s been called to Afghanistan,” Noreen sobbed.
“What?” I gasped. How was this possible? Sam was a doctor, and sure, they needed doctors in Afghanistan, but he was at least fifty. Did they ship men in their later years off to war zones? How had they gotten his name and number anyways?
My mom sighed.
“Sam’s been in the Army reserves ever since he finished active duty,” she said. “Active duty was thirty years ago, but you know how he’s so patriotic, always diligently showing up for those weekend drills. Well, I guess the government paid attention and now he’s been called up,” she said sadly.
“Don’t worry Mom, I’m sure it’s going to be fine,” I reassured her. “Sam will be behind the lines, probably restricted to the green zone.”
“I’m not sure,” replied my mom tearfully. “I hear medics go out into Kabul with the troops, and you know how Sam is. He’d volunteer for the front line just to make sure his brothers are safe.”
It was probably true and there was nothing good that could come of this, so I just made soothing noises.
“Don’t worry Ma, everything’s going to be alright, just hold tight. How long is his deployment?” I asked.
“A year,” she cried. “And we just got married!”
“That’s no time at all,” I soothed again. “The United States isn’t going to make you into a widow so fast,” I said. Oops, major boo-boo because my mom wailed even louder.
But I hastened to correct my mistake, smoothing things over.
“You’re going to be alright, okay Ma? Just go to the hospital as usual, and everything’s gonna be fine. The kids at work love you, don’t let them down just because of this.”
She sobbed a bit more and sniffled, but calmed a bit.
“Thanks Melly. You take care too, okay? How is school? Are the people at Trinity nice? How are they treating you?” she asked.
“It’s great, the people are great,” I reassured her. And the truth was Trinity was pretty awesome … except for the tuition bill sitting on top of my dresser. I wanted to talk to her about next year’s fees but now didn’t seem like the time.
“Well honey, we love you but try to save a little during the coming year okay? Sam’s going to be paid an Army wage, which is almost nothing, and you know how little I make as a nurse. So be frugal okay, baby? Is there any way you could get a part-time job?”
I could almost hear a big steel door clanging shut on my dreams but I kept my voice steady for the sake of my mom.
“Sure, I can find a job, Ma,” I said. “Let me just go to the Student Learning Center and take a peek, they have a job board over there. Don’t worry about a thing,” I promised.
“Thanks baby,” she sniffled. “Hang in there, okay? And you’re coming home in two weeks, right?”
Oh shit. That’s right, I’d promised to come home to spend some quality time with her, my first visit home since starting freshman year.
“Yep, that’s right Ma, I’m going to drive up, so see you then!” I said with fake cheeriness. I hung up on a high note, but my chest felt tight, and a cloud of panic was descending on my brain. Not only was my stepdad going to war, but I had no way of paying next semester’s tuition. What was I going to do?