Chapter 24
As I pulled up the house was all decorated with balloons and Robert was out front cooking on the grill. I could smell the hot dogs and hamburgers as I got out of the car. Brooklyn ran up to me with his toy in his mouth wanting to play. I petted him and threw the toy and watched him chase it. Ms. V and Ryan walked out to greet me.
“So what time are your friends coming Jason?” Ms. V asked.
“They not coming.”
“Well, why not?”
“They all went home to say goodbye to their families. Admiral Thompson has us all on a plane in the morning to leave for training.”
Ryan turned and ran in the house and Brooklyn followed him barking.
“Oh my God Jason. You have to leave already? We won’t have any time to spend with you?
“I’m sorry and Admiral Thompson said I can’t tell you where I am going and that it will be a long time before I will be able to contact any of you.”
“I understand Jason, that is the same way I had to leave,” Robert said.
“Ryan is obviously upset, I’m gonna go talk to him,” I said.
“Let’s just enjoy the short time we have left with each other,” Ms. V said.
I ran inside and up to Ryan’s room. He was sitting on the balcony in his room and Brooklyn was laying at his feet. I knocked on the door frame.
“Can I come in Ry?”
“NOOOO!”
Brooklyn started barking.
“Please Ry?”
“You promised J, that you would never leave me and now you’re leaving. You broke your promise.”
Tears began to fall down his cheeks.
“Ry you knew this day was gonna come, but you know I will be back for you one day.”
I walked into his room and sat down next to him.
“You are strong and together no one can break our bond.”
Brooklyn sat up and placed his paw in my hand and began to whine.
“How long will it be before I can see or talk to you?”
“I don’t know dude they didn’t tell me, but I will call you as soon as I can. Just have fun this summer and go back to Briarwood in the fall and be good for Robert and Ms. V and take care of Brooklyn. You’re growing up now and we have been through a lot and I hope you learned a lot from me.”
“Of course, I did, bro.”
Brooklyn jumped in my lap and began to lick my face.
“Come on let’s go downstairs and eat,” I said.
That night we all sat down and ate and laughed together. Late that night Robert knocked at my door.
“Hey Jason. Can I come in?”
“Of course. I was just packing because the car will be here early to pick me up.”
“I just wanted to talk to you for a minute. When Virginia brought you boys home years ago. I didn’t know I would grow to love you boys like my own, but here we are. Just keep your head down and follow your gut. Remember your training. Admiral Thompson can’t be trusted. The guys in my team are mostly dead now. Many of them under unusual circumstances. Command will always be watching. Did you get the money they put in your account?”
“Yes, I got it, but I won’t be touching that money unless I need to,” I said.
“That’s smart.”
“They put Ryan’s in a trust for him that he will be able to get when he turns eighteen,” Robert said.
“Ry doesn’t know about the money, does he?”
“No,” Robert replied.
“Well, you better get to bed.”
Robert walked over and hugged me.
“Goodnight, and good luck.”
“Thanks Robert.”
The next morning, I was up early at 5am. I showered and got dressed. I put on a pair of ripped blue jeans and a slim fitting t-shirt and black boots. I walked to Ryan’s room and cracked his bedroom door. Brooklyn raised his head and looked at me. Ryan was sleeping peacefully. I sat next to him on the bed. He was a pain in my butt, but I would die for that kid and now I was leaving him. I rubbed Brooklyn on the head. As I walked out the room, I grabbed my 2 duffle bags and headed down to the living room. I looked outside and two black SUV’s were in my driveway. I walked out as two men in black suits got out and grabbed my bags and threw them in the back of one of the SUV’s. I hopped in the back where Nick and Chase were already sitting.
“Hey guys, is everyone here?”
“Yes Jason. The rest of them are in the other SUV,” Chase said.
“Okay good.”
As we drove to the Dallas airstrip everyone was quiet. We pulled up on the tarmac and I spotted a large airplane waiting for us. As I jumped out, the two men in black suits grabbed our bags and handed them to us. I walked over to Natalia, Vince and Maurice.
“Well, I guess there’s no turning back now mates,” Vince said.
Natalia looked at me and smiled.
“Let’s go everyone.” I said.
The plane was nicer on the inside than I expected. Natalia and I sat next to one another. Maurice gave me a funny look as he walked past me. “What’s his problem?”
“Forget him. He’s probably still mad about what happened at my house on graduation day.” Natalia said.
“He’ll just have to get over it I guess.” I laughed.
Everyone settled into their seats for takeoff.
“I hope it’s not all work. I wanna explore the island.” Natalia said.
“I’m sure we can find some time to do that,” I assured her.
I slept for most of the flight. When I woke up we were landing in Belize. As I looked out at the window all I saw was clear blue water surrounding us, as we suddenly landed on solid ground.