If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you. – Zig Ziglar
Walking through the halls that JD had walked through for all four of his high school years was conflicting for Dean. There was the comfort of being surrounded by those who knew him. And annoyance at constantly being asked how he was, where he was, what he was doing.Boot camp.Boot camp.Boot camp.Seriously, didn’t any of these people watch any military movies? The montage of videos for the boot camp scenes never showed the recruits traipsing through a field of wildflowers with the drill sergeant riding a rainbow and glitter farting unicorn. The image conjured in her head had her snickering in English. Maybe that would be her answer to the next person who asked what JD was doing.Then as she listed to the teacher go over the reading list, she found herself wondering, what did the Navy call their drill sergeants? She was certain that they weIt’s hard to see things when you are too close. Take a step back and look. – Bob RossReese turned and looked at the mural that Dean had painted on the wall behind his desk. For the past month, he had been trying to find the zombie. He had been nose to wall over just about every inch of the wall. Still, he could find nothing.Grabbing his phone he looked to see if she had responded to his text.You don’t have to tell me where the zombie is, but give me a hntHint. Hnt should have been hintThere still was no response.“Teenagers.” He complained out loud.“Give them an inch and they swim all over the ocean.” Gigi said from the doorway.“Okay, Sebastian.” He chuckled as he turned around to face her.She laughed as she propped herself against the doorframe. “That was my mom’s favorite quote for the longest time. And if you asked her, she had teenagers for the longest time.”“I just realized; I’m going to be seventy when these three will graduate
Sixth General Order of the Navy – To receive, obey and pass on to the sentry who relieves me, all orders from the Commanding Officer, Command Duty Officer, Officer of the Deck and Officers and Petty Officers of the Watch only.Dean sat in the window seat of the private plane watching the land below them grow further and further away. She smiled as she thought about when she and her mom flew to Washington D.C. Her mom had pointed at the baggage handlers.“Those guys are the most important members of the crew.”“Why?” Dean had asked, expecting some philosophical explanation since her mom was notorious for making sure that her daughter knew that fancy titles did not mean that the person was more important than anyone else.“They make sure the pilot has clean underwear.”Laughter bubbled up, even now as grief washed over her. Reaching down, she gently touched her bracelet flipping open the heart. Her mom smiled at her from the small picture. Swiping at her tears, she
Seventh General Order of the Navy – To talk to no one except in the line of dutyThe private plane landed at O’Hare airport early Tuesday afternoon. They all checked into the hotel suites that Reese had reserved. He pointedly looked at his daughter as he handed over her key card.“This is not a floor party.”She chuckled as she took the piece of plastic from her dad and grabbed her fiancé by the hand. “I promise not to have any water balloon fights if Dean promises not to set up any glitter bombs.”“O, you can check.” Dean said handing over her suitcase and carryon bag. “I did not bring anything to do glitter bombs.” “I believe you.” He told the teen. And he did believe her. For the most part. Mainly because she had been too nervous before they left to even think about glitter bombs.To be perfectly honest, he would not be surprised if she had forgotten some of the bare basics.A few hours later, Dean knocked on the door to Helen and Reese’s suite.“
Eighth General Order of the Navy – To give the alarm in case of fire or disorderWednesday was spent sightseeing around Chicago and the lake. The wind was cold and blustery. There was a reason why this was the Windy City, and she showed the visitors exactly why. There were plenty of things to do out of the wind and everyone used the babies as an excuse to stay inside. After a hearty breakfast at the hotel restaurant, the large group took several vans to the Field Museum. Dean had expressed an interest in seeing the art museum, but they were closed on Wednesdays. Instead, Reese bought them tickets for Friday so that JD could join them.They were all amazed at the size of the dinosaur skeletons and other fossils. Entertained by the 3D movies and other exhibits. They took a break and ate at one of the museums’ cafés and then went to the neighboring aquarium. As always, even so far away from home, a few of Neo's guards followed at a distance, looking like a group of fr
Ninth General Order of the Navy - To call the petty officer of the watch in any case not covered by instructionsDean and Reese got back to the hotel later than they had planned. But after everything had settled down and Dean thought about it, she really wanted to find the old biddy who called the cops. “I mean, seriously? What. The. Hell?” Dean asked as they sat in a private dining room at an excusive restaurant. “Does she call the cops on single dads with teenage daughters?”“I want to know what the hell they told her.” Neo grumbled. “Thanks for calling, but please don’t do it again.”“Like, ever.” Cheryl added and they all gave a small laugh.They laughed and enjoyed the meal and for the first time all day, Dean smiled and laughed and enjoyed herself. After they got back to the hotel, Gigi went and hung out with Dean for a little bit and offered to come do her hair in the morning.And morning seemed to come earlier than expected. At five thirty, Gigi ente
Tenth General Order of the Navy – To salute all officers and all colors and standards not casedDean sat in the second row of the rented SUV with Helen. Jaxon and Jolene sat in the third row talking quietly. Childs sat in the front passenger seat talking with the driver – Gigi’s crush who they discovered that morning was named Savannah.Helen reached over and grasped Dean’s leg that was bouncing nervously. She gave the teen a smile of understanding.“I’m so damned nervous. Please don’t make me write a paper over that.”Shaking her head, Helen replied “Time and place. And this time, it’s both.”She took a ragged breath and then looked out through the front windshield as she nodded. The gate sat in front of them, large and imposing. Behind the large rolling gate sat a red brick guardhouse under a large white covering. The roof was angled just like a house, but underneath was a decorative arch, and it was open on all sides.NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES was written over the arch in large let
Eleventh General Order of the Navy – To be especially watchful at night, and, during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authorityHelen and Jolene walked ahead of Jaxon and Dean as they followed the crowd. They were escorted to their seats which were close to the floor. Or, as the sailor called it, the drill deck.Helen sat in the inside seat followed by her daughter and son. Dean sat at the end and suddenly felt alone and by herself. Jaxon and Jolene had each other and their mother. And Helen had all her kids and Reese.But who did she have?She was an orphan. An only child. On what should have been a happy day, grief washed over her.A strong arm was placed around her shoulders and pulled her into Jaxon’s side. His other hand reached down and lightly grasped her tightly connected hands.“Breathe, sweetheart.”Dean took in a deep ragged breath and was only then aware that she had been holding her breath. Le
I enlisted when I was a boy. The Navy looked after me like my mother. It fed me, took care of me and gave me wonderful opportunities. – Tony CurtisJD had kept his eyes forward the entire time, never looking around. Luckily, his family was sitting within his line of sight. And Dean was wearing an outfit with bright blue and he could only hope that it meant that she was wearing his shoes.When he went to get his award, his eyes drifted towards her feet, and he caught a glimpse of the blue shoes that he declared were his. Keeping his eyes straight ahead, he reported in and received his accolade. Marching back to his place, he mentally pumped his fist in the air and silently screamed in celebration. He loved those shoes.The speech and rest of the ceremony seemed to drag on forever and ever. Although JD knew the whole ceremony was only about an hour and a half, after he found his girl, it seemed to take the rest of the day. And maybe part of the following week.But fina