Post by The Bibliophilia on Apr 18, 2015 5:23:56 GMT
As I opened the door, a light ring of a bell could be heard as I entered the establishment that a few soldiers had recommend to me as a place to get a few good drinks for half the cost. The place was dim, and smoky, but I didn't care. I was passed caring at this point and I shuffled over to the bar taking a seat next to a few of my fellow companions. I've seen them around camp, but I couldn't recall their names. Even so, you could tell they were new as they were all smiles and cheers. A few had the nerve to wave cheerfully over at me as if I would join their party. Flickering my gaze away, I tried to focus on something to keep myself at ease. Those boys would soon enough know what a real War was like after all, we were bound to get attacked at any moment now. Waiting for the bartender, I soon spotted a few barrels tucked away in the back. I wondered if this bar did their own brews and if so, I was tempted to try a few out for myself. After a while, I saw the bartender come around the counter and walk over towards me. Unlike the boys, he didn't smile towards me, but kept a stoic face.
"What can I get for you?" He asked in a low gruff voice as if his work had made him grow cold and distance. I wouldn't blame him after all, by now both sides had probably made camp in this small town only to be pushed out or killed. He probably didn't have the heart to watch the people he considered friends to die in front of him. If only I had been that smart when I entered the war.
"Do you do your own brews?" I asked thoughtfully, my own voice a bit on the rough side, but he didn't seem to notice or perhaps he just didn't care. Shaking his head, he winced when he heard glass shatter only to curse under his breath. Considering the only people in the bar were the group of puppies and me. It was easy to tell who had done it.
"Anything, then. Take your time though." Nodding his head, he walked over to the group of puppies who, were apologizing. I tuned them out as my gaze flickered around the place. From what I could see, the place was a bit on the run downside. A few tables were scattered here and there, but most of the lights were busted while the paint was chipped.
'I bet this place used to be grand back in its glory days.' I thought to myself before I felt a light tap on my shoulder. Turning, I saw one of the soldiers from the puppy group was facing me with a bright smile. If he had a tail, I'm sure it would be wagging a mile-a-minute.
"Private Morrison! Do think we'll get mail any time soon? I was talking to my sweetheart back in the States and she said she was going to send me this book she found. Something called 'The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail'. A lot of the guys around base said you liked to read so have you read that? Is it any good?" The solider, who somehow knew my name while his name remained a mystery in my brain asked question after question without letting me answer a single one. Even so, I was glad I was a higher rank, then he or else I would be forced to give out his rank along with his last name. Keeping myself calm, I didn't brother to plaster on some face smile I did on base and grumbled on a reply hoping he would understand I didn't want to talk right now.
“I don’t know. I would ask someone higher up in the chain. As far as the book, yes I've read it. Depends on how much you like books and how good you are with unscrambling scenes as the book isn't linear.” The male stared at me in awe as I spoke each word. The gaze he gave me felt unnerving after all, he was looking at me as if I was some sort of god who just passed down the knowledge and wisdom of the meaning of life and universe. The bartender soon came over with my drink and placed it down next to me before glaring at the little golden boy.
“Reading is okay, but I guess it’s worth a shot. You really look like you need a drink or two. I’ll buy your next round!” The more he spoke, the higher his voice got and I can see why the group had pawned him off to me. Yes, the group seemed to be happy, but this boy was just down right gleeful. Every word he spoke was filled with an excitement you would find in a five-year old. Of course, I wasn't going to reject the offer of a free round and began to consume my first drink down in seconds.
“That’s the spirit!” He cheered me on which caused a few gazes to turn my way, and another few cheers followed. The boy waved the bar tender over and order me something else to try while I set the empty glass aside. Unlike the last drink, this one came sooner, but I sipped slowly on this one which caused a few of the faces that turned to watch look away in disappointment.
“Private, you really should lighten up. Being grumpy doesn’t solve anything!” I heard the boy’s voice chirp like a song bird as his smile seemed to grow bigger. My frown only deepened by those words which actually caused the other to frown. In all honesty, I didn’t think it was possible for the little golden boy to frown.
“Trust me, you won’t be chipper for long with this war going on.” I replied back, with a low growl settled behind my words. A silence grew between us, but I couldn't help, but to glance over and regret it. The look he was giving was one that read he felt sorry for me. I hated when people were happy and cheerful, but I hated it more when people took pity on me like I was a charity case or someone who needed a shoulder to cry on because I didn't.
"I heard about your wife." His voice went soft and quite, almost as if he didn't want those words to slip from his lips. I yanked my head away from his direction. That matter had been private, and I had only told a few people, but word had spread.
"That is none of your business, solider." I hissed out, but I refused to meet his gaze or even acknowledge his presence at this point.
"Is it true though? Regarding her leaving you because she didn't want to see how the war changed you." I didn't answer as I kept my gaze focused on the far wall. Even so, it was true. She had told me all about how she didn't want to see me changed, and had basically broken off our marriage in a letter. I tried getting her to talk or at least answer my questions, but she never answered my letters. She had been the only thing that kept me sane and suddenly she just left. I tried to keep strong with the photo I had of her, but I lost it in the last town we had stayed in. I didn't cry, but I was quite upset at myself for losing the only thing that kept me from losing myself completely. Biting my lip, I felt a hand touch my shoulder before spinning me around. I was taken aback by the soldier's strength after all, he didn't seem strong enough to lift fifty pounds let along make a hundred something pound man turn in his seat.
"I don't know the feeling of losing someone who keeps you sane at night, but I have a feeling it's tough. I can't bear the thought of losing my sweetheart, and when I heard about what happened to you well I was shocked. It's shallow to leave someone just because they don't want to see you being 'changed' by war. Not only that, but she had to do it in letter during the middle of a war. I know words don't do much, Morrison, but she isn't worth your time. She isn't worth you being grumpy and lashing out on anyone who tries to help you. She just isn't worth it. Even so, I bet you can find a new sweetheart when the war is over after all, you will practically be a hero! I mean everyone keeps saying you're about to be bumped up to E-4!"
My head slowly turned towards the boy who wasn't seat anymore, but standing. Sometime during his rant he probably got off his chair and a few gazes had turned in the direction towards us. Normally, no one talked like that to someone who was a higher rank yet, I couldn't find myself to yell at the boy. Instead, a smile formed on my lips as I shook my head. He seemed to cheer up a bit at seeing my crack a smile as he sat back down in his seat once again and grinned over towards me. Perhaps, all I needed was a slap in the face to realize what I had become.
“Bartender, another round for both of us.” I called out, my voice almost being cheerful, but still held a roughness to it. The bartender came with two more drinks and we dived in even though I hadn't finished the drink he had bought me. A few hours ticked away, and by midnight the two of us were walking back to Base together while giving off silent giggles as we talked about our teenage years
"What can I get for you?" He asked in a low gruff voice as if his work had made him grow cold and distance. I wouldn't blame him after all, by now both sides had probably made camp in this small town only to be pushed out or killed. He probably didn't have the heart to watch the people he considered friends to die in front of him. If only I had been that smart when I entered the war.
"Do you do your own brews?" I asked thoughtfully, my own voice a bit on the rough side, but he didn't seem to notice or perhaps he just didn't care. Shaking his head, he winced when he heard glass shatter only to curse under his breath. Considering the only people in the bar were the group of puppies and me. It was easy to tell who had done it.
"Anything, then. Take your time though." Nodding his head, he walked over to the group of puppies who, were apologizing. I tuned them out as my gaze flickered around the place. From what I could see, the place was a bit on the run downside. A few tables were scattered here and there, but most of the lights were busted while the paint was chipped.
'I bet this place used to be grand back in its glory days.' I thought to myself before I felt a light tap on my shoulder. Turning, I saw one of the soldiers from the puppy group was facing me with a bright smile. If he had a tail, I'm sure it would be wagging a mile-a-minute.
"Private Morrison! Do think we'll get mail any time soon? I was talking to my sweetheart back in the States and she said she was going to send me this book she found. Something called 'The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail'. A lot of the guys around base said you liked to read so have you read that? Is it any good?" The solider, who somehow knew my name while his name remained a mystery in my brain asked question after question without letting me answer a single one. Even so, I was glad I was a higher rank, then he or else I would be forced to give out his rank along with his last name. Keeping myself calm, I didn't brother to plaster on some face smile I did on base and grumbled on a reply hoping he would understand I didn't want to talk right now.
“I don’t know. I would ask someone higher up in the chain. As far as the book, yes I've read it. Depends on how much you like books and how good you are with unscrambling scenes as the book isn't linear.” The male stared at me in awe as I spoke each word. The gaze he gave me felt unnerving after all, he was looking at me as if I was some sort of god who just passed down the knowledge and wisdom of the meaning of life and universe. The bartender soon came over with my drink and placed it down next to me before glaring at the little golden boy.
“Reading is okay, but I guess it’s worth a shot. You really look like you need a drink or two. I’ll buy your next round!” The more he spoke, the higher his voice got and I can see why the group had pawned him off to me. Yes, the group seemed to be happy, but this boy was just down right gleeful. Every word he spoke was filled with an excitement you would find in a five-year old. Of course, I wasn't going to reject the offer of a free round and began to consume my first drink down in seconds.
“That’s the spirit!” He cheered me on which caused a few gazes to turn my way, and another few cheers followed. The boy waved the bar tender over and order me something else to try while I set the empty glass aside. Unlike the last drink, this one came sooner, but I sipped slowly on this one which caused a few of the faces that turned to watch look away in disappointment.
“Private, you really should lighten up. Being grumpy doesn’t solve anything!” I heard the boy’s voice chirp like a song bird as his smile seemed to grow bigger. My frown only deepened by those words which actually caused the other to frown. In all honesty, I didn’t think it was possible for the little golden boy to frown.
“Trust me, you won’t be chipper for long with this war going on.” I replied back, with a low growl settled behind my words. A silence grew between us, but I couldn't help, but to glance over and regret it. The look he was giving was one that read he felt sorry for me. I hated when people were happy and cheerful, but I hated it more when people took pity on me like I was a charity case or someone who needed a shoulder to cry on because I didn't.
"I heard about your wife." His voice went soft and quite, almost as if he didn't want those words to slip from his lips. I yanked my head away from his direction. That matter had been private, and I had only told a few people, but word had spread.
"That is none of your business, solider." I hissed out, but I refused to meet his gaze or even acknowledge his presence at this point.
"Is it true though? Regarding her leaving you because she didn't want to see how the war changed you." I didn't answer as I kept my gaze focused on the far wall. Even so, it was true. She had told me all about how she didn't want to see me changed, and had basically broken off our marriage in a letter. I tried getting her to talk or at least answer my questions, but she never answered my letters. She had been the only thing that kept me sane and suddenly she just left. I tried to keep strong with the photo I had of her, but I lost it in the last town we had stayed in. I didn't cry, but I was quite upset at myself for losing the only thing that kept me from losing myself completely. Biting my lip, I felt a hand touch my shoulder before spinning me around. I was taken aback by the soldier's strength after all, he didn't seem strong enough to lift fifty pounds let along make a hundred something pound man turn in his seat.
"I don't know the feeling of losing someone who keeps you sane at night, but I have a feeling it's tough. I can't bear the thought of losing my sweetheart, and when I heard about what happened to you well I was shocked. It's shallow to leave someone just because they don't want to see you being 'changed' by war. Not only that, but she had to do it in letter during the middle of a war. I know words don't do much, Morrison, but she isn't worth your time. She isn't worth you being grumpy and lashing out on anyone who tries to help you. She just isn't worth it. Even so, I bet you can find a new sweetheart when the war is over after all, you will practically be a hero! I mean everyone keeps saying you're about to be bumped up to E-4!"
My head slowly turned towards the boy who wasn't seat anymore, but standing. Sometime during his rant he probably got off his chair and a few gazes had turned in the direction towards us. Normally, no one talked like that to someone who was a higher rank yet, I couldn't find myself to yell at the boy. Instead, a smile formed on my lips as I shook my head. He seemed to cheer up a bit at seeing my crack a smile as he sat back down in his seat once again and grinned over towards me. Perhaps, all I needed was a slap in the face to realize what I had become.
“Bartender, another round for both of us.” I called out, my voice almost being cheerful, but still held a roughness to it. The bartender came with two more drinks and we dived in even though I hadn't finished the drink he had bought me. A few hours ticked away, and by midnight the two of us were walking back to Base together while giving off silent giggles as we talked about our teenage years