By: Lisa
Angel and I met during the summer before my senior year of high school. I worked with his brother Hector at the most popular Subway restaurant in a little town in Pennsylvania. Angel thought that his brother and I had something going on, but I confided in Hector that I found Angel good looking, specifically his gorgeous smile. Hector, becoming sick of hearing about my crush on his brother, finally told Angel. He called me, and we set up our first date. Although there have been a few bumps in the road, we have been together ever since.
Angel was not in the military when we first started dating. He had been thinking about joining the Marine Corp during my senior year, but he got into a car accident, and that idea was put on hold. He started working for his dad at a egg-hatching facility until he was recovered from the accident. After one too many stinky eggs exploding in his face, he decided that this was not the life he wanted to live for the rest of his life. I had started college by this time, and he admitted that because I was doing something with my life, he didn’t think I would stick around with a loser. He graduated boot camp, finished his MOS school, and was immediately stationed in Japan. Less than a year later, his unit was gearing up to deploy to Iraq.
Today, as every day, the alarm on my phone vibrates at 7:30 am. As I turn it off, I pull the phone close to my eyes to check if there are any missed calls or messages. I usually do not miss calls during the night, because the vibration or music of my phone always wakes me up, as I am a light sleeper. Like most days, I throw off my sheets, but lie in bed for a few more minutes, before rolling off my bed and onto my feet. Before doing anything, I must put in my eyes. I have very poor eyesight, so without contacts or glasses, I could not function outside of my bedroom. I then, pull on a pair of shorts, a sports bra, a ratty t-shirt, socks, and my trusty running shoes.
A half hour later, I am drenched in sweat and pulling out my laptop computer. Unfortunately, on this particular morning, our internet is out of service. This is not good for me, because every other day, I check my email and Facebook for any messages from Angel. I am also logged onto Skype until I leave for work in case we are both online at the same time. I’m not happy about this, especially because my online class starts today.
Instead of checking the two internet forums where I actively post every day I am on the phone my mother who is in Delaware for two weeks for AIT. I follow her directions and reset all the connections and the computers. The internet is still not working, so I call it quits and jump into the shower.
After my shower, I check the internet again. It still is not cooperating with me. I throw a tiny hissy fit, but then realize that this will not help the situation. I come up with a new plan of attack. Instead of doing everything now, I decide I will go to the community college, where I am taking a class this summer, early, and finish everything there. I then relax myself by reading a book, and doing my favorite pastime, cross-stitch. Angel does text me during this time. Unfortunately, it is with Skype, so I can’t text him back, and because my internet has failed me, I can’t jump on to talk to him.
At half past ten, I am in sneakers and work-out clothes again. This time, I am walking to my summer job at Subway. I have a reusable shopping bag on one arm which contains my work clothes and a snack, which is typical, and my computer bag strapped across my chest, which is not typical. I start work at eleven, the building is 1.4 miles from my house, and it takes me about 20 minutes to walk there. Some days my younger sister will drive me, but she had a long night and is not yet awake.
Once I arrive, and change clothes, I get a drink of water before punching in and starting the work day. My phone is in my back pocket in case Angel calls, but when noon rolls around, I know, and he knows, that I will not be able to take time out of the lunch rush to talk to him. He does call, and although he sounds down in the dumps, he leaves a sweet message. I listen to it around 3 pm when the store has cleared out, and we are all caught up with the work left over from the lunch rush. I am off work at 4 pm, but today I will be waiting for my manager, who is also one of my closest friends to get off at 4:30 pm. She has volunteered to drive me to class, because it is on her way to her other errands. On some days when I don’t have class, I bring running shoes along, and run home, leaving my work clothes for my sister to pick up later.
Once I am at school, I pull out my grilled chicken sandwich on a flatbread. This particular sandwich is stuffed with red wine vinaigrette, tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, onions, banana peppers, and Jalapenos. I made the sandwich, so I know it will be delicious. As I’m eating, I turn on my computer, and for the first time of the day, log onto the internet. I get caught up with the online class, by simply posting an introduction, and catch up on the online forums. I am signed onto Skype as well, although I know that it is rare for Angel to be on at this time.
My class, which is a walking and resistance training class, begins at 6 pm sharp. Because this is the first day of class, I expect it to be short. My professor proves me wrong by making use of every second of the two hours and five minutes available to her, including sending us on our first walk. It is easy and relaxing for me, even though my calves do burn by the end of the walk.
My sister picks me about at 8:05 pm and we take a short trip to Wal-Mart to pick up a planner. Once the real school year starts, my life is a mess without that planner. I feel antsy when I go without. Once I have arrived at home, I noticed a message on the answering machine. It’s my mom, so I call her to have her give me exact directions on fixing the internet. I follow them closely, and after half an hour, our house has internet access again. I fix myself a quick late dinner of macaroni and cheese, which I could live off, if I tried. I have time before I go to bed to check the internet forums again. Tonight, I am in bed by eleven. I am trying to train myself to go to bed earlier to wake up earlier for when the school year starts. Angel’s dog tags are under my pillow, and a stuffed bear in a Marine costume is beside my pillow. I pull the bear close to my chest, and I am asleep by midnight.
Every day, I worry about Angel. He is constantly in my thoughts, and every phone call, email, instant message, or text makes my day. Most days, I don’t hear from him at all. Even on those days, I keep moving and keep doing my daily routine. I try to stay busy because that makes the day go by faster. Every day that goes by means one less day until I see Angel again. I do have moments of loneliness and depression, and I let myself be miserable. Then, something important brings me back to reality, and I’m back to the hustle and bustle of my life. I can’t sit around every day and feel sorry for myself. Angel is deployed, but life goes on. I have things I need to accomplish, and sitting around feeling sorry for myself is not one of them.
Lisa
