Oh, what will this year bring?

When the Corps Calls

January 24, 2008 on 10:37 am | In Paul, Marines, Nick | 1 Comment

It was mid afternoon when my cell phone rang. Because I’m out of town, I have our home phone forwarded to my cell. It was a local number so I picked it up.

“This is Staff Sergeant So-and-So from the United States Marine Corps.”

My stomach lurched into my throat.

“Is everything OK?”

He hesitated. “Yes, ma’am, I’m trying to reach Paul.”

My heart started to beat again.

“Oh,” I exhaled, “you’re a recruiter.” I explained that my older son is a Marine in Iraq and it’s scary when a Marine calls. Nick has told me that it’s very quiet over there, no gunfire at all, their biggest worry are the dogs that used to be domesticated but now run feral. Besides, when he first deployed, he promised me he would be fine, and a promise is a promise. Still, all young men feel invincible. What if he was wrong? What if the Iraqis were unaware of the promise he made me?

“I’m sorry, ma’am, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“That’s OK,” I said, “I’m just glad you’re from the recruiter’s office.”

I gave him Paul’s cell phone number and told him he could call him there. Paul isn’t interested in enlisting, isn’t interested in making promises he might not be able to keep, but he is capable of making his own decision, of saying No Thank You to opportunities that aren’t right for him. At least for now.