Yakima Nights (2 page)

While both have problems thinking about
other situations they are both about to get news drop on them that
will challenge their perspective. The next day while at first
formation Capt. Meads drop unexpected news. The entire battery will
be headed to Yakima, Washington for training with the Japanese
Army. Andre, who already did a Yakima Rotation, was not all to
concern with the news. Taylor wasn’t either until it hit them that
they would be together for 30 days. When training in the US Army
everything you do is under a microscope. In to make matters worse
they were going to sleep together, not literally, but they would be
in the same area of each other. They didn’t look at each other but
the people who worked around them knew. Staff Sgt. Sampson, his NCO
at the time, had just got to the battery. He was not blind by the
fact that they were very awkward around each other. Sampson pulled
Andre to the side to ask him, “What’s going on between you two”.
Andre tried to brush him all but SSG Sampson was pretty much like
Andre just older, so he could not fool him one bit. “You two have
not talk, look or even walk pass each other. Now last time I saw
something like that was when I met my wife”. Andre still with a
straight face told him “It’s nothing SSgt, I guess we don’t vibe
like that”, SSG Sampson looks at him with a smirk as he replied,
“UN Huh, My ass”.

The days have gone by since they were told
about Yakima. Andre and Taylor decided to talk about what happen.
Even though it was just a kiss, they could not shake the fact that
it was more than that, they wanted each other. They met at the PX
on a Saturday with civilian clothes. On Saturday at the PX,
everyone looks the same. It does not matter nationality, race, or
ethnicity, it seems like everyone looks alike. Taylor showed up
with a thin plaid shirt with blue pants, she was the definition of
Plain Jane. Andre arrived in what his friends called his ninja
suit. For some reason all he wore was black, but to him it was
everyday attire. Before Andre could get a word out Taylor kiss him,
this time longer and more meaningful. She buried her face into his
chest, looked at him with a confused but elated smile. He was not
so thrilled. All week he had decided to stop their relationship,
but how could he do it if she just did that. Andre had no choice;
he look into her eyes in told her that maybe they should “take a
break”. Taylor’s joys soon turn into sorrow. Why holding in her
angry she said, “So is that it” and Andre with a sad demeanor
replied “Yeah”. While this was going on 1st Lt Cody Riddick, walk
into the PX and saw them. He notice Andre from his cloths and saw
that he was with Taylor. He decided not to go over there but he
took a picture and sent it to Capt. Meads. Before Andre could spot
him he was gone. By this time Taylor had wiped away the tears from
her eyes and walked out. Andre sat down to gather his thoughts. So
much emotion and heartache just occurred in 10 minutes. They didn’t
get to even order there food. The next day when he arrived at work
he was summon to Capt. Meads office. He showed him the picture that
the 1st LT took of them together. They were not touching or making
any facial express. Andre realizes that he took the picture the
minute he told her it was over. He look at Capt. Meads with an face
of confusing in told him his story, “we bump into each other in the
PX and that’s it”, Capt. Meads face scrunch together like an dog
ready to attack, “I know you lying and when I catch you in the act
I’m going to nail your ass to the wall”. Andre with an evil look on
his face said under his breath, “Try it”. Capt. Meads heard him but
didn’t respond they just look at each other, sizing the other up.
“You’re dismiss, move out”!!, Capt. Meads yelled, Andre walked out
of his office in run into Taylor she look at him with distain but
proceed to keep walking. Yakima was three days away, but both of
them were not talking to the other. Meads and Andre’s distain and
hatred for each other were starting to take a turn. Meads was being
more aware of him. A vendetta of some sort, but Andre knew it was
going to happen. However, he didn’t think too much about it. Their
relationship was done sort of.

With Yakima so close a lot of details came
down really fast. One of the details was “Vehicle Delivery” which
basically mean vehicles had to be driven up state, so everyone was
in the motor pool. Usually Andre was the driver and he knew that
meant being around Taylor. Fortunately, he got Staff Sgt. Sampson
to assign another driver. Sampson had just been assigned the
section and took a likely to Andre’s leadership when he was absent.
Taylor was not around when he made the switch. She was assigned
Tyler, someone who was like her but more daring. Along with Dustin,
Tyler was one of Andre’s best friends. He was very loyal to Andre
and did not mind driving Taylor. Once the day came to drive the
vehicles to Yakima, Tyler was pulled into another detail so the
task fell back on Andre to drive her.

The day of the drive came fast. Taylor was
in a way, his boss again. Andre assumed she would do something to
him out of spite, but she was quite. Nevertheless, he knew it was
going to end up like this so he did not mind. The drive was 3 hours
long and for the first 2 hours nothing was whispered. Taylor didn’t
even look his way and Andre return the favorite. Out of nowhere
Andre broke the ice with 4 words, “Do you love him”? Taylor looks
at Andre “that’s none of your business specialists”. Well, how
about that, the lady talks. Andre chuckled “How about I make it my
business, and ask you again” Taylor replied “Shut up”. Andre would
not stop so he decided to change the conversation. “I don’t know
anything about you “, how about we start over. Taylor look at him
with an annoyed look, pondering in the back on her head, “why is he
interested now”. She didn’t want to go along with it, but it was
pretty boring not talking to someone for 2 hours, let alone someone
she fell in love with. Andre annoyed her into a conversation, so
she starts talking to him about her back story. She revealed
herself to him again but while he was listening he felt that he
should do the same. They both kept looking at the clock as if it
was a speed date. She talked for 30 minutes and he got the last 30.
Before they knew it time was up. They were there, finally arrive to
Yakima. Most of the drivers quickly park the trucks and sit to eat
lunch. Taylor sat with the officers and Andre with the other
drivers. Meads had come over to talk to Riddick and Taylor.
Unbeknownst to Andre, Taylor confronted Riddick about the pic he
took. He didn’t hear what she said but it was enough for Meads to
interfere in the argument. Afterwards Taylor left and all the
officers went into the building for a meeting. Andre and the other
drivers knew it was going to be a long time so they started to rest
for the night.

It was dark and both of them wanted to be
near each other. Capt. Meads took pre caution not to have her
around other guys. Taylor was to ride back with him and the other
officers and Andre was to leave on the bus. However, the buses were
late and the officers’ meeting had ended. Within a couple minutes
they had found each other. Both eventually talk about the past
weeks of silent feelings towards each other, which all seem like an
afterthought. They were quiet before they touch on the subject.
Moonlight set the mood for them with an ominous glow. Darkness had
engulf the sky, Andre been to Yakima before but it was never like
this. The night was warm and the spotlight of the moon was on them.
Taylor lean over slightly in asks Andre “Why”? He fell silent; he
made a face that anyone could tell was a “thinking man’s face”.
Andre decided to tell her the truth. As he looking in her eyes he
said “I love my wife and you are in a relationship. No matter how
much love I have for you, I will never be able to give 100 percent
to you and vice versa”. Taylor buried her face down in her hands
but didn’t cry she realized that he was right. Her answer was a
kiss under the night. With that kiss she put it all on the line,
because he never was the one who made the first move. This was the
third time she kissed him, but it didn’t matter. Looking at him
with so much love, she confessed “I have you for 30 days and you
have me. I know that this is messed up, but I know you are right
for me, you are. “Andre was confused but before they could start
the conversation again the transportation arrived. They looked at
each other before getting on.

While riding back they decided to think
about it. Andre thought about his wife and Taylor thought about her
life. Although, both were in relationships they were ready to put
it on the line. Andre was around Tyler and Dustin when he asks them
for advice. He looked at them playfully and said “If you guys were
married, would you still be looking for Ms. Right.” They look as if
they were experts on the subject. Dustin spoke first “Sure because
what if the person you need is not the person you are with? And
Tyler quip” Yeah do you suppose to let that person past you by. I
say take the chance!! Tyler and Dustin high fived each other after
stating their opinion, but Andre was convinced. Yakima was the
chance to find her and find himself. Mentally, he told his self,
“He’s in”. 30 days together was going to be tough, but they both
knew they could not help how they felt. Yakima was going to be
it.

The day was upon them to finally leave as a
group. It was no more one on one time it was the entire battery.
While leaving they said their goodbyes to their families which was
more frustrating than bittersweet. Tony decided to drive Taylor to
the battery, so he could see her off. Taylor was talkative but also
anxious to get going. Tony knew that there was something different
about her today. While toting her bag, he met a lot of the people
she work with including Capt. Meads. Although Tony knew of their
previous relationship, he could tell she didn’t like him. Taylor
look at Tony in ask “What’s Wrong” with a bright smile on her face.
Tony was quiet and apprehension to respond, but after long silent
ask her “Are you coming back”? Taylor was puzzled because Tony
didn’t know what was going on but as close as they were he could
tell something was wrong. Taylor with apprehension looked at him
“Uhh Yes, it’s not like I’m going to Afghanistan.” Tony still with
a dead face was about to say something but before he could he was
bump and almost knocked down by Andre. Taylor eyes lit up with joy
and her heart race with fear. Her lover and best friend had just
for three seconds met. Tony said nothing and Andre looks at him and
said “excuse me, I’m so sorry: let me help you with those bags”.
Tony smile at him “No problem", but then he looked up at Taylor and
saw her face. She was fixed on Andre, and even though Andre said
nothing to her Tony knew what was happen. Taylor looks at Tony with
sadness but Tony didn’t let on. He gave no sign of weakness or inly
of the situation. He just looked at her in said “have a good time”
in kissed her. Even though she returned the favor it was finally
out. Tony didn’t know what was going to happen but he didn’t care
because the Taylor he knew was still there. He knew she would make
a decision and nothing was going to change her mind.

Earlier, Andre was saying goodbye to Anne.
She decided to stay home because this was not her first time going
through a 30 day field problem. Anne was too busy to see anything
different in Andre. However, if she did she still would have not
because he was skillful at hiding feelings. He gave no sign that
anything special was going to happen. However, he knew how Anne
was. She likes to pursue anything she was interested in. Andre look
at Anne with a big smile on his face, “Bye bae, I love you”. Anne,
who was making plans with her friends around base, was lost in the
moment of planning “ok, I love you too” and don’t come back in my
house with dirty shoes”. They both chuckle and just like that he
was on his way. Anne is a not at naïve of Andre feelings but she
was dealing with here own stuff. She had just won an award at her
job. In with that a promotion came also. Andre was thinking
although he felt bad it was perfect time for this to happen.

Now, both of them were getting on the bus.
They decided not to seat by each other or converse neither. Andre
for the entire bus ride was around his friend and kept a good
distance from Taylor. Taylor returned the favor, not looking
talking or calling on her “soldier” for anything. Only a few knew
about them and they could be counted on their hands. Dustin, Tyler
and Sampson either knew or had a suspicion. Taylor talked to
another LT who was station in Fort Drum, New York. Besides those
few no one knew and the people who did never talk about it. They
had it figure out, that this trip was not only about them but also
about keeping their relationship, and the people who knew a secret.
They were 2 hours away from Yakima Training Center. 2 hours from
constant contact and finally getting the time they wanted together.
However, they were people lurking that could mess it all up. They
both forgot that they were still property of the US Army and rules
were just not about to be broken, but shattered. In if they were
caught, they were going to have to face consequences for their
actions.

Week one of Yakima was a breeze. Since, all
the vehicles and soldiers arrive on time the next four days was
given to the soldiers to unwind. Taylor was stuck with her fellow
officers and Andre was free to roam with his friends. A lot of
people resented her for the attention she was given but she was
also label “career poison”. In the military, being label as such
meant you are someone or something that could end a career in a
day; just like poison could end a life within a day. She understood
that, in she got that feeling when she would eat alone or only with
officers. Lower enlisted personnel would avoid her completely or
would not hold a conversation with her. Taylor was alone not
physical but mental, because Andre would not talk to her in public,
him to afraid of the consequences. Taylor, who by this time was
very unhappy, walks by herself to the “Fire Point”, the only
restaurant in the area. She decides to eat her troubles away in one
of their grease filled burgers. It was called “The Monster” and
anyone could tell it was bad for you. Although bad, it was
delicious and very popular among the American and the Japanese
soldiers. When her order came up and she stood up to get it she saw
Andre with another girl. Her heart sank, but she did not want to
jump to conclusions. She knew the female solider; her name was SPC
Nicole Gonzalez. Gonzalez, who was of Asia and Mexican decent, was
beautiful. Gonzalez possessed remarkable traits that in Taylor’s
mind would make any man prefer her. Gonzalez had long curly black
hair, shiny green eyes and freckled cheeks. Although short, she
made up for it by her remarkable looks, and boyish personality. Too
most, she was one of the boys and a popular female amongst the
“night owls”. Taylor asks her self why Andre is hanging with her.
She was known as promiscuous in some circles of the commission
world and to her knowledge Andre was not into her. Taylor walking
with a purpose went over to Andre “Hey, so are we hanging out with
females now”. Andre, who was confused, laughs as if Taylor was
joking. Problem is she was not, Taylor now loud enough for the
whole restaurant to hear her screamed “On your feet solider!!”
pointing at Gonzalez. Taylor still going on her rant, “You are not
to be around him. You are not in his section or apart of this
platoon”. Andre was about to intervene but he saw his “higher ups”.
They would have back Taylors every move so he decide to leave, but
could not. Gonzalez gathers her things and left, while Taylor
yelled at Andre to get outside. She had earned a lot of respect
from the other officers, but she had other motives too. Taylor was
lonely and felt that Andre forgotten about her. After the noise had
died down, Taylor left walking towards the gym with Andre in hot
pursuit. Andre grabs her wrist to try to slow her down but she
pulled away. Taylor did not want anything to do with him, than
Andre yelled “Is that all it takes? You see me with another girl
and instantly I forgot about you. How do you think I feel when you
are around those guys” All of them have more money and power than
me. I could assume a lot too” Taylor had no answer, no comeback;
she was complete caught off guard by his omission of jealousy.
Andre saw others starting to leave out the Firing Point, so he gave
her a paper he was holding in left to catch up to the other guys.
It was a flyer for a “club night” at the Firing Point. On the
weekends, the entire place was cleared of the chairs and tables and
a DJ was arranged. Andre knew that Taylor was going to be there
because the command teams made everyone go. The platoon called it
“Funishment” or mandatory fun.