Page 44 of Be With Me
Chapter 22
Pay day formation had Mooney standing next to Lieutenant Parker, checking behind them that everyone was where they should be. Cassidy, Townsend, Newman and their newbie, Atkins. Rickson had PCS’d to Hawaii last month. Christ, something he and Debbie were going to have to talk about soon-ish. He’d already been here at Bragg for going on four years. He was due for an overseas Permanent Change of Station, because if he dang well didn’t spell out an acronym to Debbie a few times she’d rip him a new one. She wasn’t slow on the uptake but with the alphabet soup the military had, it was a bit confusing.
Mooney tried his best not to upset her these days. She was getting maybe three hours of sleep before the twins had her up to use the bathroom or they’d decided to have a party and dance around in their comfortable water-filled cocoon their mother had for them. Lord knows, he was glad it wasn’t him going through the all-day sickness, heartburn, stretch marks, being kicked in the ribs all the time and holy hell the different food combinations Debbie had been eating was a bit gross.
First Sergeant Neale marched to the front of the line of soldiers and they all snapped to attention when the captain joined him.
“Nice job on the march this morning, soldiers,” Captain Ross said. “A few things to announce prior to release. Top?”
“In addition to some of our staff sergeants… Luna, Blake, Thomas… making the E7 list—” a chorus ofhooahsinterrupted Top. “Two of our NCOs have been chosen to attend a specialized training at Quantico. Congratulations Staff Sergeant Luna and Sergeant First Class Mallory.”
Well that was news to Mooney.Shit, when was the training?Debbie was due in a little over a month.
“If both of you could join me in my office after release, we’ll review the details. Sir?” Top turned the formation over to Captain Ross.
“Lieutenant Parker, it’s my pleasure to inform you that you’re being promoted to First Lieutenant. The S1 just found out and called down with the announcement. Congratulations.”
“Okay, soldiers, you’ve already been through your safety briefings for the three-day. Please, I’d love to have a quiet weekend with my wife and kids. It’s kinda embarrassing when you’re the MP first sergeant and you get a call from one of your counterparts that one of yours is in the station for conduct unbecoming so, don’t be stupid,” Top finished. Mooney watched him wait for approval from the captain, who nodded. “Dismissed.”
Mooney remained where he was as the soldiers around him scattered. Mallory walked up to him and slapped him on the shoulder.
“Let’s go find out these details. Isn’t your wife pregnant?” Mallory asked as they headed into the building.
“She’s got about seven weeks to go. The twins are due in the middle of June,” he answered.
They approached the first sergeant’s office and waited outside as he had one of the specialists in there. It didn’t take long for Top to finish with the soldier who walked out of the room and left with a quick “Sorry sergeant” to Mallory.
“One of yours?” The specialist must be new since he didn’t recognize her.
“Yeah, she got here about a week ago. PCS’d from Knox. She’s scared of her own shadow. Not sure what she’s apologizing for this time.” Mallory shrugged and entered the office. Mooney followed and took the second chair in front of the desk. Top shook his head as he gazed out the door.
“You’re going to need to guide her a lot, Mall. She’s got no confidence in her after the incident at Knox,” Top paused and pulled a folder out of the stack on the right side of his desk. “Okay, more pleasant topic. You two have been selected to attend advanced forensic training on crime scenes.”
Forensic training? Oh yeah. Mooney was still worried about traveling with Debbie pregnant, but this was something he was focusing on with his bachelors. “Um, Top? When is the training? I’m a bit concerned about leaving Debbie right now.”
“I know she’s far along in the pregnancy but your boys aren’t due until June right?” Top asked.
“Their due date is June twenty-second.”
“Not a problem then. You’ll be home in plenty of time. The training starts next Tuesday and runs for four days. You’ll drive up on Monday, back on Saturday. Friday night if Mallory is feeling generous, Luna.” Top glanced at Mallory, who chuckled.
“Yeah, I could make that concession for a soon-to-be-dad,” Mallory agreed.
“I’ll forward you the email with your travel paperwork.” Top hit his mouse, waking up his computer.
“Um, Top, can I ask a question?” He was a bit puzzled about this training, didn’t even remember seeing anything about it before. At Top’s flick of his hand in a go-ahead motion, he continued, “When did this training come up? I don’t remember anything about it. Mall, do you?”
Mallory shook his head and Top nodded. “It came up yesterday through battalion. Guess there were two openings unexpectedly and Quantico reached out.” Top turned to his computer, clicked something then looked back at them. “Okay, emails sent. I’ll see you both Monday morning before you leave. Have a good weekend.”
Mooney and Mallory weren’t slow on the uptake and stood, knowing they’d been released. “Thanks, Top. You too.”
“Text over the weekend to figure out logistics?” Mallory suggested as they walked down the hallway.
“Sounds good to me. Have a good one.” Mooney now had to figure out how to tell Debbie that he was going away next week. Ahhh, the military life.
§ § §
Waking up, Debbie noticed an infomercial on the TV for hair loss. What time was it? She noticed that she was reclining in Luny’s chair in the living room. Squinting at the clock on top of the armoire the TV was in, she read the numbers as they came into focus. 3:24. Apparently, she’d fallen asleep watching… she couldn’t remember what she’d been watching. Thanks boys.
