Page 32 of Perfect Tragedy
It’s like they’ve just dropped a bomb and they’re waiting for it to explode.
I laugh nervously, “That’s funny, guys. Now tell me the truth.”
They look at each other and then back at me. Blake shakes his head a little and I look back and forth between the two of them not finding a speck of humor in their gazes. Blake runs his hand through his hair again. Jack slides his hands down his thighs over and over like his palms are damp and he’s trying to dry them.
“You’re serious?”
Solemnly, they both nod.
A flush runs up my body so quickly, I feel dizzy. Sweat breaks out on my forehead and I suddenly feel like I can’t breathe.
I stand up suddenly.
Startled the guys both stand too.
They exchange looks but keep their distance.
I begin pacing the small space my thoughts whirling through my mind so fast I can’t grasp onto one to give it voice.
I feel like I may be sick.
I sit back down again.
The guys look at each other and immediately sit too.
“Why?” I finally ask. “What about football?”
“Football is great, we love it,” Jack starts.
“But it isn’t a realistic future. As great as we want to believe we are, we aren’t going to go pro or anything,” Blake finishes.
“Still, why?”
“My dad was military,” Blake says as if this explains everything.
“I want to make a difference,” Jack says and I want to laugh, but I can’t.
“There are a lot of ways to make a difference that don’t involve potentially losing your life,” I say.
“Sienna, we could die in a car crash tomorrow,” Jack tries to reason, but my glare shuts him up.
“How long?” I ask, and I’m vaguely surprised that my voice sounds hoarse.
“Our initial commitment is four years,” Jack says.
“But we’ll start with boot camp,” Blake says softly.
“We’ll get to come home for a little bit after that,” Jack adds.
“And then?” I ask.
“And then we’ll have more training,” Blake says.
“We’ll come home as often as we can,” Jack says quickly as if that makes this all better, but I know that he’s just trying to make me feel better because I know damn well breaks aren’t as frequent as he’s trying to make it sound.
“And after training?”
They look at each other, “Eventually we’ll be stationed somewhere,” Blake says softly.
