THE LAST MAN STANDING

Today is my first day of training for the army. I have to ride to fourth-worth in Texas which is not far from my house. I live in Texas with my mother Jody. I'm an only child. My dad passed away when I was a baby but I heard great things about him. He is the reason I joined because it runs in my family. Mom, are you going to be okay while I'm gone? Yes, sweetheart, stop worrying I will be fine. Your Aunt Jane be here with me while you have gone just remember to come back in one piece sweetheart. I will mom, I love you, mom.

Just remember when I get back home we will be going to visit dad's rest area and then we are going shopping before I have to go overseas okay sweetie. Get going, we don't want you late for your first day of training now do we? No, we don't want that. See you later mom I love you." I gave my mom a hug and kiss and ran out the door. I didn't want to get into trouble on my first day of basic training. Which never fails. I was late but at least I wasn't in trouble. The officer said not to let it happen again I won't ma'am. I went and joined the others. I get in line with the others hopefully they don't notice but that fails because I got caught by my sergeant. ladies and gentlemen, please tell Mr. Winters what happens when you are late? We have to run 5 laps and do 100 pushups. Maybe you will learn to be on time, ain't that right Mr. winters? Yes sir it will never happen again, sir. Good now, let's get to business. Today you get to know your unit and learn about them. You will learn their weaknesses and their strengths. I went to my bunk to meet my unit. What's up, everyone? My name is James Winter. Nice to meet you, my name is Donnie Baker. Those two are Jack and David Marshall, they are brothers. That's John we call him a jackass because he is a jackass at times.It's nice to meet you all.I'm sorry I was late today, it won't happen again. Good because I will kick your ass next time. Then everyone laughs at the jackass because we all know he won't. He was scared of me. I just dust him off and laugh. Good night bro, good night man."We went to bed dreaming about a girl. I think I'm in love with Heather.

Today I go home for a week.I'm so glad I got to see my mom today. I went to the store to pick some flowers up for my mom.I didn't realize that I was rushing and bumped into a beautiful woman. I'm so sorry ma'am I wasn't watching where I was going. May I help you up? Yes, and it's okay sir. You're not hurt, are you? No, I'm okay. My name is James Winter, what's your name? My name is Heather Baker. Nice to meet you Heather. I'm sorry I wasn't watching where I was going. I just got back from training. I was going to go buy my mom some flowers. It's okay.

I understand my brother is in the army too. What's his name? "Donnie Baker.I know him, he's a good guy. Yeah, my brother is like a father to me. father passed away on active duty. I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope I'm not being too forward but may I get your number so we can text and call each other? Sure. I would like to get to know you better and hang out with you and your brother. I don't have many friends. I would love it that I think you and my brother might get along. We don't have many friends either. Well, I have to go before mom sends a search party for me. Nice to meet you, James winter. Nice to meet you too Heather. I'll see you later. We parted ways and went to the store and got the flowers for my mom and headed home. Mom, I'm home!" Hey, sweetie, welcome back. I missed you so much. These are for you. I missed you too mom. Dinner is almost ready. Okay mom I'm going to shower and I will be right down. Okay, sweetie no rush. Okay, mom. "Hey, sweetie ready to eat? Yes, what are we having tonight? pot roast and potatoes and cornbread. Yummy, my favorite. I met someone today on my way home. Her name is Heather Baker. She has a brother named Donnie Baker. He's in the army and we are in the same unit. That's a nice sweetie hopefully one day I get to meet her? Yes, you will mom. How can I invite them over? That will be a great sweetie. Okay, I will talk to her tonight mom. Okay, sweetie good night I love you, good night mom I love you too. Mom went to bed and I went to wash the dishes and went to my room to talk to Heather. The phone rings hello, hi is this Heather? Yes, this is her. Hi Heather it's me James winter. Hello James, how are you doing? I'm grateful. How are you doing? I'm okay. I was called to see would you and your brother like to come over to hang out with me and my mom tomorrow? Sure we will like that. Awesome, I will send you the information to my house. Okay have a good night Heather I see you and your brother tomorrow. Good night, good night James. I went to bed.

Today is a hard day for me and my mom. Today is my first deployment to Iraq. I won't be back for 3 months as I know, but I don't think my mom can handle it. Mom, I'm going to be okay. I promise I will call when I can mom. I'm going to miss you sweetheart please come home in one piece. Lol, mom, I promise I will do my best to come with all parts in one piece. I love you kiddo, your dad would be proud of you. Thank you mom for believing in me. I always believed in you. Sometimes you need that push kiddo. Now you go and save the world and come home safe.

I will mom I love you I see you later alligator, after a while crocodile I love you James winter. I walked to my unit and waved to my mom one more time. Hey man, my name is James Winter, my name is Donnie Baker. Nice to meet you Donnie you too James. This is the first deployment I'm scared shitless. No worries along with me, you are safe. Thanks, man. No problem, just know some people ain't as nice as me. Anyway, my sister Heather said you don't have many friends? No, it's just me and my mom. My dad passed away in the line of active duty. He was a military man as well. I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe when we get home me and my sister can hang out with you and your mom? That would be awesome. She doesn't like being by herself a lot. My sister is the same way, maybe they can hang out together while we get deployed overseas? That's a good idea. My mom loves to cook for others. Great, then we can have them at ease. Yeah. Soon we landed, and we were greeted by a man Sergeant boom they call him because he always says let's go out with a boom. This is going to be fun. Yeah man, I already see it lol let's get some sleep tonight bro, good night man.