Leaving the Command post into the hot Hawaiian sun, Felix paused for moment looking at the sealed envelope in his hand. Curiousity flowed through his thoughts, but fear took hold and he returned it to his inside breast pocket. He checked his watch. 09:17hrs.
Having recently returned from a mission, there really wasn’t a reason to go to his unit. Besides, out of the 18 or so months that he’d been assigned here, he might have spent a total of 7 nights on base. They probably didn’t even know who he was. Just name in a file. In reality, he was more of a command asset anyways, and considering the conversation that just took place, his absence would be forgiven. That an, this was a pretty big fucking deal. His stomach growled.
Felix walked back to the dorms that lay just north of the flightline, and opened his room. Inside was a Large futon against the right wall a small coffee table in the center, and a wall locker on the far wall. No TV, or photos. Just the basics for sleeping and reading. A lone guitar sat in it’s stand on the far side of the room. He could hear Curtis in the adjecent room seperated by a kitchenet and shared bathroom.
“That you, Felix?!?” Curtis called out.
“Yeah!”, Felix replied.
Curtis was obviously shuffling around in the midst of hiding whatever he didn’t want seen. A few moments later, the door that seperated the rooms open, and Curtis’s face peered around the door jamb.
Curtis was a pale skinned, light haired man of about 22, with a familial demeanor, and a surfer dialect.
“Thank god, man. Dude, I almost shit myself. They’ve been doing room inspections, and I definately CAN NOT get inspected, if you know what I mean.” Curtis confessed.
Felix chuckled. “Just me, bro. Not the MPs. How have things been around here?”
“Kinda tense, to be honest. It’s like something’s happening, but no one is saying what. Just a lot of planes and cargo moving in and out, but no explanation about where or why. Has me tense, ya know?” Curtis said, then pulled a joint from nowhere and lit it. He took a long deep pull, and blow the incriminating smoke into Felix’s room.
“Dude!” Felix exclaimed. “Light an insense or something. I’m not trying to get busted for shit.”
“Relax…..” Curtis let out a few stifled coughs. “It’s Delta, and completely legal”
“You’re an idiot, and going to get caught. Whatever. How have YOU been?” Felix changed the subject.
“Oh! Fantastic! I’m going home next month to see my family, and my sister is going to be in town. My dad wan’t to rent a beach house so we can all go spend a late 4th of July on Coney. Looking forward to gettin out of this shit hole.” Curtis shared.
Felix laughed. “Shit Hole? You’re litterally living in a screen saver. Most people would kill to have your life.”
“Ehh, it’s all tan and grass to me, bro. Fancy scenes, but empty. I want pigeons and people. Beer and subways. This is manicured. A guilded cage. Fuck this place.” Curtis went on.
Felix just looked at him. Curtis was a bit of an enigma. Wickedly inteligent, but a bit out of his element. Serving in Signals had twisted his perception, and the lack of real connection denied Curtis the opposing force that might make his observations seem wise. Instead, he just came off crazy.
“Listen, Curtis” Felix started. “I might be going away for a while. Not sure how long, or if that means you may get a new neighbor. I’m honestly not sure if I’m leaving. Haven’t decided.”
“You can’t, bro. It’s been a fucking dream having you not here. I get the bathroom and kitchen all to myself!! Where are they sending you now?” Curtis replied.
“Like I said, I’m not sure if I’m going, but wanted to give you a heads up that there’s a possibility. If I do go, it may be for a while?” Felix rreitterated.
“Dang, when would you be leaving?” Curtis asked.
“Tonight if it happens that way.” Felix answered. “Do me a favor. If I don’t come back tonight….. Well, tomorrow, you can have my guitar. I want you to know that it’s been awesome having you next door, and I wish you the best, bro.”
“Aweeeee….. Does this mean we’re like, boyfriends or something? I’m not hugging you, but just know that you make my pants tight and I’m going to miss you, nerd.” Curtis mocked.
“Fucker” Felix countered.
“Dick” Curtis smiled. “Seriously bro, good luck. I hope you stay, but good luck.” He smile and ligerred for a second. then turned back to his room and shut the door.
Felix fealt torn, and anxious, and hungry. He took off his uniform, hanging it neatly in the wall locker, then put on his USAF sweats and New Balance running shoes. It was getting close enough to luch time that he could sneak in a a quick workout to burn up some energy, then eat.
He grabbed his backpack, and packed his workout gloves and wraps, a towel and swim trunks, a change of clothes, and his ear buds. Felix held the envelope, again debating opening it. Shaking his head, he shoved it in the backpack and left the room.
