Thirty

They found the body the next day.  He was burnt all over, and surely died in pain.  There was however an area that wasn’t burned.  The tattoo on his chest, palms of his hands, and the nightstand picture of Nicole pressed against his skin were singed, but still intact. Later, the firemen were able to…

Twenty-Three

There was a call for pilots to support a new weapon system.  Drones were in use since the late 90s, but the program was exploding as their use on the battlefield was realized.  It looked like an opportunity to deploy less, so Joe jumped on it.  They moved to Vegas.  While he was waiting for…

Twenty

Nicky got better.  Joe was able to return to flying.  His commander saw his situation, and was able to work a transfer to another squadron.  The pace was a bit slower.  Joe could spend time with his family.  They moved to South Georgia. He deployed again to Afghanistan.  On the squadron’s last flight out, he…

Nineteen

After that deployment, Joe went back to Little Rock for upgrade training.  He was an aircraft commander.  At the same time, Caitlyn was young, but Nicky was more tired than usual along with a few other anomalies.  She lost a lot of weight and had pains.   She went in to the doctor.  They diagnosed her…

Eighteen

After that first deployment he decided to get a tattoo.  He was worried that if he went down, that he wouldn’t have anything to tie him to his love.  They sanitized their uniforms before flights.  The Taliban were notoriously cruel to Americans if they let them live.  He decided on a Celtic rose over his…

Thirteen

Ring dance late junior year was the epitome of social life for the Cadet at the Academy.  He flew her out.  It was a bit funny when he introduced her to his old roommate, and they both had the same dress.  Needless to say, the night was wonderful.  Pictures on the Terrazzo, a beautiful sunset. …

Twelve

Sophomore year was finally done.  The summer gave way to training basic cadets and an aviation.  Joe did gliders, flying above the Academy and controlling the fall back to earth.  It was fun, and with ten flights he got his first wings.  He got a set for his other half.  During his three weeks he…

Ten

Sophomore year is tough.  For Joe it was crushing.  He was deflated, lonely, tired.  Training the next class, and the academic load put huge strains on him.  Without Nicole, he was irritable and unfocused.  He was hardly the guy he was supposed to be.  He was a lost puppy.  Struggling through the year, he missed…

Nine

Summers were short but sweet.  After freshman year, Joe had survival training.  It was practice POW camp.  She was his foundation and Achilles heel.  The survival part wasn’t bad.  He did some scouting growing up, so it was hungry camping.  Groups were divided by social security numbers, so he was with other cadets from the…

Eight

In March, recognition finally came.  Nicole knew she wouldn’t hear from Joe for about 4 days.  The ritual was the final rite of passage for freshmen cadets to become part of the cadet wing.  For three days the upperclassmen ran the freshmen through exercises, courses, and other activities to push them to their limits.  Joe…