“You know, I loved the fact that I could alwaystell what you were feeling. Your face always gave it away. I'm notseeing that much anymore,” Phillip said.
Ryan blinked in surprise and then shrugged.“Times change.”
“Yeah, I guess they do. Sad though.” Phillipgrabbed his drink and took a long draw on the straw. He looked athis watch and sighed. “I gotta get back.”
Ryan nodded. “Yeah, me too.” They both rose andcleaned off their table.
“Well, it was good to see you,” Ryan said.Phillip nodded as they walked out the door. Both men were slidingtheir black Stetsons over their heads.
“You too, Freckles.” Phillip grinned.
Ryan chewed on his lip. “I'm not that boyanymore,” he whispered.
Phillip turned suddenly. His smile was nearlyblinding. “Nope.” He moved closer. “You're much better.”
For a second Ryan thought Phillip was going tokiss him right there but then the taller man stepped back.
“Catch ya later, Freckles.” He whistled 'SheWore a Yellow Ribbon' as he walked away.
Ryan shook his head. Five years later PhillipGrabowski still had the ability to make him feel like asixteen-year-old girl.
***
That afternoon at formation Ryan was talking toAlexander Krutz. Alexander was a cool guy who had transferred tohis unit when his decommissioned.
“Did you hear they are bringing in some new guy?He's taking over third squad,” Alexander said.
“Great. Just what we need.” Ryan rolled hiseyes. Most of the new guys ended up being assholes. They’dseriously lucked out with SGT. Krutz. He was a ‘been there guy’ whodidn't like bragging about his 'war exploits'. “Last time theypulled in a new E6 he was a bigger fuck-up than most of the justout of basic guys are.” He rolled his eyes some more.
“What I heard is he's an E5. He's taking overfor Smith. More time in service I guess,” Alexander said.
“Some of the guys were talking about him. He'slike Chuck Norris.” The guy grinned.
“Great, we don't need a Chuck Norris,” Ryan saidwith disgust. “Those guys don't know shit about what they aredoing.”
“Company! Attention!” called their PlatoonLeader.
Alexander and Ryan ceased talking and snapped toattention.
Lieutenant Kripke looked over the platoon andgrinned. “Not much to say except PT starts tomorrow at five am. Wehave TA-50 layout at two and I would like to introduce a new squadleader until we get another E6. Gentlemen, give a good Comanchewelcome to Sgt. Phillip Grabowski.”
Ryan blinked. What the LT had said was ‘welcomeSgt. Phillip Grabowski.’ What Ryan heard was 'Welcome DrillSergeant Grabowski, who is here to make your life a livinghell.'
“He came from the eighth but we're lucky to havehim. He’s already had three tours of duty in Iraq. Those of you whohaven’t been in Iraq would be smart to listen to him.” With thatsaid the man in question marched up to the front. Grabowski salutedthe LT and then went to his position at the head of Third squad. Heleaned across and breathed in Ryan's ear. “Will you please make upyour mind? I'm either the Anti-Christ or Chuck Norris. I can't beboth.”
Chapter Nine
When formation was dismissed Ryan felt likerunning to his truck like a girl and taking off. Out of all thefucking units in the Army and all the fucking platoons, even at Ft.Hood, how in Holy Hell did Grabowski get assigned to Ryan's?
Alexander was talking to him but Ryan was busytrying to dodge a six-foot-four two hundred-and-something-odd-poundman, which was ridiculous. Ryan had served in the US Army for fiveyears. He wasn't green and he didn't harbor a crush on the man.Well, not a big crush on the man, anyway.
“Freckles.”
Alexander blinked and looked at Ryan.
Ryan sighed. “Sgt. Krutz, this is Sgt.Grabowski. When I knew him it was Drill Sergeant Grabowski,” hesaid by way of explanation.
Alexander blinked and then blinked again.
