Chapter 5
As Colin drove back to the barracks, he found himself unconsciously turning off the radio and letting his thoughts take over, replaying the entire evening. The conversation, the way she looked in her simple lavender dress, how the sunlight reflected in her eyes. The tint of pink in her cheeks as she smiled and blushed, her shoulder-length, golden-brown hair softly brushing her shoulders. My goodness, she truly was gorgeous. Colin loved how Joleene would tuck her hair behind her right ear, even when it wasn’t out of place, whenever he complimented her. The slight coloring to her cheeks told him she might not be used to compliments, but he was only speaking the truth. He was completely enamored with her.
Honk!
Someone was blaring their horn, snapping Colin from his revelry. He continued driving, his thoughts quickly drifting to her laugh. Oh man, her laughter was so infectious. She was beautiful inside as well.
Before he knew it, he was at the main gate. He turned his lights down to his runners and reached for his ID. As he rolled up, handing over his ID, the other soldier checked it and walked around the Jeep, then wished Colin a good night.
Back on his way, Colin began thinking of Joleene's hand in his as they strode down the river path, the way her fingers naturally intertwined with his, without a single thought. Holding her hand was beyond words. Mmmmmm… it felt so right. How her hand fits in mine. He came to his parking lot by his company and found a parking spot, some distance from his barracks. But honestly he didn't care. It gave him more time to think about walking Joleene to her door. After helping her out of the Jeep, he captured her hand. He didn't want her to go. Part of him wanted to pull her to him and kiss her, but he thought better of it. Instead he held her hand as they walked to her door. He tried to keep her close without stepping on her toes. He could feel her body warmth and smell her soft lavender scent.
Oh, I should have said something about how great she smelled or something. Colin started as he stopped short and sidestepped the oncoming night sergeant who was making his rounds.
“Oh, hey Sergeant. Sorry. My mind was somewhere else.”
“A bit late, specialist.”
“Yes, sir. Lost track of time, but set for tomorrow already, Sergeant.”
“Good deal. You best be going, zero 400 comes fast.”
“Yes, sir.”
Getting to his door, Colin thought, Sergeant’s right. I best be getting to bed, but Joleene's skin was so soft ... and his thoughts began to drift as he quietly unlocked his barrack’s room believing Kimber was asleep.
“Dude, how was it?” Colin’s roommate, Isaac Kimber, caught him off guard as he walked in.
“Oh you’re awake?”
“Yeah.” Kimber was finishing packing for the ruck march in the morning while “The Last Witch Hunter” played for sound. “Just getting everything around. Tell me how’d it go?”
“Man, it was great. She is amazing.”
“Really?!” Kimber lifted his eyebrows and gave the typical ‘Ah yeah, brotha I know what you’re sayin.’
“Just stop. Nothing happened. We talked and went for a walk on the river bank. We held hands. Hell, I didn’t even give her a kiss.” Colin felt he had to make sure Kimber didn’t think ill of Joleene.
“So, let me get this straight, you didn’t even kiss her and yet you think she’s amazing?” cocking one eyebrow in disbelief.
“Yes. It is possible to go on a date with a woman and not have sex.” Colin shook his head and began making sure his ruck sack was in order. “Dude, whatever, believe me or not. I’m gonna double check all my gear is ready then hittin the sack.”
“Alright, chill. I’m just bustin your chops.” Kimber raised his hands in surrender all the while smiling from ear to ear. “Yeah, I’m all set just packing up. Night.”
“Night.”
Sergeant was right, 0400 came faster than Colin would have liked. He stumbled through getting ready, trying to wake up. The crisp air smacked him as he left his room. His eyes popped open fully and he found himself ready for the task all soldiers hate: ruck marches. But this was to qualify him for his EIB, expert infantry badge. He wanted it. He was ready.
By mile 18, Colin found himself fighting fatigue—mental and physical—focusing on his breathing and keeping his rhythm. His thoughts drifted back to the night before.
He held onto Joleene's hand. Oh, how perfect her hand felt in his, their fingers intertwined together. So naturally as if they had been together for years.
Once they got to her door, he remembered lingering for just a moment. He wanted to kiss her but didn't want to scare her off. So he merely grazed her cheek. She smelled so good. The lavender scent was still fresh to him. He could almost smell it. That's when his thoughts really began to wander into dreaming.
I could have walked slower to her door, or better, held her hand lingering a bit more at her door, or...
He saw himself turning to face her before she reached for her keys, reaching up with his left hand and sliding it to the back of her neck and tangling his fingers in her hair, staring into her eyes…
“Damn Dawson! Where the hell’d you come from?” Kimber shouted as I passed him at mile 22. I hadn't even realized I was passing him until he said something and tossed me the chem-light, signifying I was the leader for the march.
Tucking the glow-stick in
