Next chapter for Rachel and Jeff. I had planned on ending it with this one, but I have too many things I still want them to do, and didn't want to force them all into one story. Look out for one more after this one.
It goes without saying that you should read parts one and two before reading this. (If it goes without saying, why did I say it?)
*
Rachel was standing outside, sweltering in the sunlight of a hot Texas morning. Her attire did little to make her more comfortable: polyester dress shirt, some kind of wool/cotton blend skirt, pantyhose, and black clunky shoes that would make a witch green with envy (witch...green.. get it?) Not to mention her cover she wore on her head, which was a thick material similar to her skirt. She was completely drenched in sweat.
She was standing in a large group of hundreds of her fellow new Airmen, all of whom were graduating from a rigorous 8 and a half weeks of basic training. She wanted so badly to look around, but was bound by the rules of standing at attention and could not move. Not even a slight turn of the head was allowed.
She was so full of feelings as she stood there, halfway listening to whatever important officer was addressing the new graduates and their family members that were in attendance. For one thing, she was uncomfortably hot. Basic training in the summer in Texas? What the hell was she thinking? Then again, her recruiter had told her it was now or wait five months. Now that she thought about though, she wondered if that was some kind of scare tactic to get her to sign up quicker. Whatever, it was done.
She didn't just feel hot, though. That was just superficial anyway. She was so damn proud of herself. She was a United States Airman. She made it through all the screaming, the sleep deprivation, the showering in front of strange women (some of whom she was pretty sure checked her out regularly), the always being hungry, the boring classes, the physical exhaustion, and the push-ups. Dear god, the push-ups. She got pretty damn good at doing them, though.
Yes, she felt so proud of herself. She made it through, and did pretty well too. She scored high in the final exam, had a great final run time for her mile and a half, and even shot well enough to qualify as a "marksman". To top it off, she learned how to take a dump in less than thirty seconds.
Hot and proud. Yep, those were definitely two big things she was feeling. But there was a third big thing too.
She hated to admit it to herself on such a special day, but she was also kind of sad. You see, she knew that of all the cheering, excited family members looking on, waiting for the moment when they were allowed to run up and embrace their loved ones, that not a single one of them was her brother.
Her and Jeff had been able to write each other a few times while she was in training, and in his last letter, he mentioned that he and his band had to be in California the week before her graduation. He was very apologetic, but there was nothing he could do.
She already knew there was very little chance he would make it, even before she left for basic training. A part of her had been hoping, however, to be pleasantly surprised.
Alas, she thought. Just enjoy your moment and be sad later.
Finally, after all the important people had said all their words that Rachel had definitely paid super close attention to, the graduates were all officially welcomed into the ranks of the Air Force, and the families were invited to come out and be with their Airmen. All around her, one by one, people that she had gotten to know well over the past couple of months were surrounded by adoring loved ones. It was kind of a chaotic scene, but very sweet. She felt genuine happiness for her new friends as she watched some of them hug their parents, others kiss their boyfriends and girlfriends, and a couple more squeeze their children tightly.
She decided just to stay still and wait for the crowd to dissipate around her before she tried to walk back to her dorm. Several minutes had passed, and finally she felt that she saw a path out of the sea of people. She turned towards the path, took a step. and received a huge jolt.
The biggest, most awesome-ist jolt she had ever received in her life. There stood her brother, staring at her, with that big stupid grin that she loved so much.
"Goddamn all you chicks look alike, I've been looking for you forever! I was afraid I wouldn't find you before you walked away!"
Rachel stood stock still and stared disbelievingly at the person in front of her, mouth wide open.
"I guess it's easier for me than it is for someone looking for one of the dudes, at least I can look for your hair color. Since, you know, you're not shaved bald or anything."
Rachel still didn't move, her body unable to process this wonderful news just yet.
Realizing that they would be standing there all day potentially, Jeff made the move toward his sister. He walked right up to her and very gently wrapped his arms around her neck, dropping his head down so their faces were touching.
Rachel eventually realized she wasn't dreaming after all, and finally returned the hug. They stood silently embracing each other in the withering crowd of people until Rachel was finally able to string some words together.
"I...but you...I didn't think..."
"I begged them to wait a damn week before we left for California so I could come to what is, I think, the coolest and most important moment in my sister's life thus far."
"So they...?"
"Nah they left without me. Never fear though, Teddy's dad has been sitting in for me at drums until I get out there tomorrow."
"So when...?"
"I'm flying out first thing in the morning."
"And, where are you...?"
"I'm staying in a hotel here on base, 'bout a mile walk from here or so."
Rachel eventually released her brother and stood back to look at him.
"God dude, you have no idea...no idea how much I have missed you. How lonely..."
Rachel couldn't get through her sentence before bursting in to tears. Jeff immediately wrapped his arms around her and held her while she sobbed.
Eventually Rachel stopped crying, let go of her brother, and wiped her eyes.
"Okay, well let's go then", she said.
"Go? Where are we going?"
"To your hotel. I have to be back in the dorm at 6:00. Factor in how long it will take us to walk there, and then how long it will take me to walk back tonight, and we should have about six hours or so for you to fuck me."
Jeff looked happily at his sister.
"Oh! So you do want to...you know? Because I wasn't sure how you'd feel..."
"Hell yeah I wanna do it! C'mon, let's go!"
"Yes ma'am!"
They started the journey towards Jeff's hotel, and on the way, he peppered her with questions.
"You mentioned a dorm. So, you have your own dorm room?"
"Nah, it's not what you think. We call it a "dorm". It's just a giant room with, like, 30 or so bunk beds, bunch of lockers."
"Could I see it? I'd love to see where you were sleeping this whole time."
Rachel briefly considered this.
"Could you see it? Yes, you could, you are allowed. Will you see it? No, you will not. That would be a poor use of our precious time."
"Got it. I guess I'll reluctantly agree. So what was the food-"
