//------------------------------// // How did I come this far with him? // Story: Going The Distance // by Squidly //------------------------------// Earth July 22 Stepping out of the car, the wind flying from the transport helicopter hits me as I adjusted the strap on my M16. My best friend, William Sparks and I had been sent to join a team clearing an enemy controlled town behind enemy lines. After a briefing we all piled onto the helicopter. As I sat next to Will and adjusting my standard army infantry gear, checking my Beretta and various grenades as well as checking my reflection on the blade of my knife. “You all right Sam?” Asked Will tapping my shoulder. I dont know how he did it, after all of my training he could still see through my military facade. It made sense as we pretty much grew up together, with his sensitive nature I was pretty much morally obligated to protect him from douchebags a plenty. “Yeah yeah, I’m fine,” I replied. My heart was pounding a mile a minute the closer we got to that hell ridden town. Staring around at the hardened faces around me, the people I had trained with and bonded with after all these years. With a single word being said we knew the severity of every single decision we would make. After a few hours of cold chills and the sounds of armor and weapons bouncing around in the helicopter, Will turned to me and finally broke the quiet. “ Just because I’m a medic, does not mean I'm obligated to carry you out on a stretcher.” Our squad leader pepped up as the town waited below us, firefights between our boys and the bastards holding Innocent people against their will. I looked over at Will and I just had to wonder, what the hell was it about me that kept us together, If it was my hygiene, then he has been friends with the wrong guy since high school. Anyway, whatever it was, I was grateful for a friend like him. You know a friend is loyal when he gives you money for the bus after some fat kid took your ticket in middle school, but I digress. Looking out of the bloody scene, I couldn't keep out of my mind the promise I had made to my girlfriend two years prior. Two Years Ago "I cant believe your about to do this shit man," Will said as he turned to me as we drove down the highway towards my moms house near the lake. "Just keep your head on and we'l get through this, with your help I can finally convince uncle Vince That my college scholarship isn't something to wipe his ass with." I had turned off the main highway onto the little road spattered with trees all over. It looked like what you would see on a postcard, orange and yellow Autumn leaves flew around us as they let little patches of sunlight hit the window. Fields of wheat sat behind the trees with a wood fence riding parallel to us. Hell if I wasn't going to enjoy it, this might be the last time I would get to see my family and friends for a long time. "Sam, just listen to me, I know Amanda is upset about you leaving home, but you don't have to make yourself out to be a super soldier for her to understand that you have to go. I'm exited to meet your family, so lets just go and have a good time with everyone. Sighing, I turned to face him, and of course, he had on that face like he knew I was gonna do it, it was just a matter of time. Giving in to temptation, I pressed my fingers to my forehead and gave my trademark smirk. Anyone who had known me long enough was familiar with the smirk. It was the face that said, "Okay I get it, now fuck off," I had practically perfected it by now. "Asshole," Will scoffed as he turned his head to the steadily approaching white brick house resting on the edge of kentin lake. It was a sight for sore eyes, the feeling of tranquility rushed over me as I looked back on all the memories I had made here. I would never forget the time my mom walked in on my younger brother and I playing pretend in his room, keeping in mind the fact that at that point he was seven and I was thirteen. Or a year ago when my mom told everyone over dinner that she wished I had Wills auburn hair, clean shaven face, and soft brown eyes. I replied to this comment with, " If you hate my Chestnut hair and rough beard, then you can you can hire a stylist for my funeral". Yeah, that wasn't my best snark filled comment, I'd rank it as number twenty five. I Pulled to the side of the road, spotting my girlfriend's car in the driveway. "Does this really count as a family reunion?" I questioned, looking at the car and Will. "Shoot, I thought we could pass as brothers! In all seriousness, we practically are family." Will shot back sarcastically. Oh my God... It was at that precise moment that I knew that shit had officially, one hundred, percent gotten real. After what Will had just said I thought I would of pissed my damned pants in happiness. Will considered me the brother no one could ever have because they got along to well and would only happen in a bad 90's movie starring Macaulay Culkin and some other stereotype! Stepping towards that door I knew I was about to have my manhood destroyed, and no, not that kind. With Will behind me, I take the knocker and knock on the door, of course being the hipster I am. It was in those seconds after knocking I knew one thing. As the door swung open I saw my mom, with her frizzy hair and hand firmly grasping a glass of whiskey I knew what would happen. " Sammie! Oh I'm so glad you could make it! your father didn't think you could make it being the big busy man you are now but I knew my son wouldn't forget his own mom. I had only three words running through my head at this point in time.... Oh Fuck me!