I am a 6'6 inch tall 40-year-old white male that had served in Iraq. I had always been a quiet reserved person even as a child. My hobbies always included reading and writing. beings I was so tall, I was always included in playing sports. but that was the extent of my socializing. college it never appealed to me because of the social life aspect of it. so I had joined the Marine corps. The Marines had been exactly what I needed. It was all business-like and there was no bullshit. I had liked it well enough to do four tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. unfortunately all good things must come to an end. I was wounded in my last tour of duty. And I could no longer be physically active enough to go to a war zone. therefore I was honorably discharged.
coming home with a pretty rough ordeal. Civilian life is just not the same as the military. I fell into the routine of just leaving the house when I had to. My only stops were the bank, the library, and the grocery store. as soon as my brother Dwayne, found out about this he was concerned. He said that I was going to stay at his house and that he would make sure I did not fall into being a suicide statistic. Dwayne had been my younger brother and it always been my hero. He was a socializer and a football hero and had done everything right. He had married to a swedish girl named Elaine. They had four beautiful daughters and two boys.
Dwayne worked as a computer contractor for the military.He was well paid. Dwayne lived in a mansion. He had to with his wife and children. his hobbies of having restored cars really worked well with his wife and children. They always had cool vehicles to drive around in.
The only one of his children that I had ever had anything to do with with his oldest, Emily. I would come visit his family between tours. The reason I bonded with Emily so much was she had to have major heart surgery when she was just 8 years old. This surgery had left scars all over her stomach and front. these scars would remain white. so Emily would be tan and the scars would show up plainly in the dark. Emily was very embarrassed of these scars. She would never wear any revealing clothing. She would dress like a grandma level just to hide these scars.
after I moved my little belongings that I had into my room, I went out to greet Dwayne's family. Elaine was her usual gracious self. In addition to being a stunning blonde, she had a personality that was just as beautiful as her physical self.
"well," Elaine says"It is a good thing that we have two introverts in the family now. It looks like you and Emily are going to have to hang out. That way I don't have to babysit either of you too. I am kind of tired of dragging Emily out of the house to social events."
"That sounds good to me, "I said."as long as Emily doesn't mind hanging out with her old ugly uncle."
"I don't mind," says Emily."besides you were the only uncle that was really nice to me when I was growing up. I still remember that. And I still appreciate that."
I really did not want to do anything on my first day back. The emotional toll of the war had taken its toll on me. Plus I was not a socializer to begin with.
so I went along with Emily through her day. She had to do some shopping to begin with. then go do some college classes. then Emily belonged to a hiking group that she wanted to go hiking with. beings that you do lots and lots of hiking in the military, I really could enjoy this. It was a great day.
We got home late. It was probably 10:00 p.m. before we were at home. everyone else was in bed. so I told Emily to go take a shower while I fix supper. cooking was another skill that you pick up in the military.
Emily did not argue with me. She picked up her stuff and disappeared. It did not take me long to make some soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. I cracked some beers and served supper on the back porch.
