An Unlikely Duet is kicking my butt lol

Ugh this first chapter of "An Unlikely Duet" is kicking my arse lol

I do alot of military research and write alot of papers on that subject so trying to write a "story" in a manner that doesn't make it sound like a freaking research paper topic proposal is HARD!!! Infact Im currently writing a book on the development and evolution of the Marine Corps M1941 pack system from 1942-1968. Its a nice dry read for military collectors filled with pictures and cold hard facts listed out in nice square paragraph form perfect for doing research with. Now Im perfectly fine reading a story set up like that and rather enjoy it but my girlfriend who writes alot keeps yelling at me for formatting things in such a manner which means TONS of editing and rewriting before I even post it here lol

Now sections that have little to no dialogue I really enjoy writing and don't have any trouble with, however once it gets to characters having an extended conversation its like I have been thrown out to sea and never got taught how to swim lol