August 20.Graduation day.
Brian lay on his bunk, still in full uniform, while Dan sat on the lower bed, polishing his boots until they gleamed. It was the last morning before the recruits would be released to their next assignments. Backpacks were packed, lockers emptied. By evening, this place would be quiet again.
Matt burst through the aisle of the barracks, holding up a camera. "Alright, it's selfie time, fellas!"
"Hell yeah, bring it on!" someone yelled.
In seconds, a crowd of laughing Marines swarmed into the frame. Boots thumped, bunks rattled. Simon climbed up to the top bunk and yanked his pants halfway down, flashing a scorpion tattoo on his ass. "Jeez, Simon, what the hell—watch out, everyone! There's a freaking black hole!" Dan howled with laughter.
"Hah! Looks like someone's flexing!" Brian said, shaking his head and trying not to look.
"Take the damn picture before I gas you all out!" Simon flexed dramatically, butt out.
"Three! Four!" Click!
Matt snapped the shot just as everyone broke into laughter, echoing through the barracks.
Moments later, the soldiers began filing out, heading toward the parade grounds for formation. Brian lingered behind, catching up with Matt by the door.
"Hey Matt, are you going to sign up in the Middle East?"
Matt paused, rubbing the back of his neck. "Nah, man. My mom's behind on the mortgage. I gotta head back home and help her out. If I don't, we'll lose the house. And my girlfriend already told me she'd kill me if I tried to enlist again."
He gave a short laugh, but his eyes looked heavy. "Honestly, Brian, going to war sounds easier than paying off that damn loan."
Brian crossed his arms. "Tell me you didn't borrow from some shady place."
Matt shook his head. "Nah, Mom put her foot down on that. Said no more loans. But, man, it's been rough getting back on our feet."
"There's that charity—Eyes After You. They help out folks without capital. I borrowed five grand from them once to rent an apartment. It's legal, and you get a year to pay it back."
Matt blinked. "Oh yeah! That's Dr. Fenya Papov's organization, right? I've seen their ads. Kinda legit-looking, actually."
"Yeah," Brian said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You can't catch up with the world, man. One post and you're viral in five min's."
Matt chuckled, shaking his head. "Appreciate it, brother. Guess I'll see you when Uncle Sam calls again." He gave Brian a quick salute, then jogged out of the barracks, leaving Brian standing there—smiling faintly at the thought that maybe, for a while at least, life outside the battlefield still had some kind of hope.