The ending's cheesy, I know. But I'm just getting started. Just to let you guys know, the next three or four chapters will be a little quicker than the first two, but they'll be just as good...hopefully... By the way, thank you to everyone who reviewed, subscribed, and favored my story! It really means a lot and makes me keep going. Thanks you guys c:

Chapter Two

My father, who I had never known to be a praying man, went to church the next morning. I hadn't been able to sleep well that night, the night of my twentieth birthday. With the Labrador I had owned since I was ten by my side, I walked the entire property, thinking about the months, possibly years, I may be in the service. Phillipe had been a faithful companion and now that he was ten years old, he was known as an old man in the dog world.

I wondered if I would be able to see my beloved pooch before he passed. There were many things that I was going to miss that I just had to accept. My friends weddings, parties, the births of their children. I suspected that due to the sensitivity of the matter I wouldn't be allowed to tell my friends where I was, what I was doing. That crushed me the most.

When I returned to the house, I found the Senator sitting at the dinner table, eating a plate of Mimi's scrambled eggs. In French, I commanded Phillipe to lay down next to my chair as I sat across the way from John. With my brown eyes, I watched as John wolfed down the Creole breakfast. He ate like he was the one going to basic training and unable to eat real food. I couldn't deny that he was attractive, perhaps marriage material. However, I had always had a liking for dark skinned Cajun boys.

"Have you made a decision?" He asked, talking through a mouth full of food.

I nodded, stroking Phillipe's soft yellow head. Although I had told him to lie down, he chose to sit. "Mhm," I answered. John peered up at me, waiting for my answer. "It was not an easy choice to make, but I feel it is the right one. I'm going."

"Excellent!" John clapped his hands together, hastily swallowing his eggs. "Do you have a phone? I need to make a few calls." With a nod, I pointed towards the kitchen. As I cradled my head with a hand, John stood, leaving his empty plate on the table and heading for the kitchen.

I sat at the table, still petting my dog, bathed in the soft ticking of the Grandfather Clock in the dining room. With my free hand, I rubbed my left eye. From the kitchen I could hear laughter coming from John. How in the Hell was any of this funny? Not long after he entered the kitchen, John returned, a smile on his face. Clearly he thought he had good news and wasn't toying with my life.

"Good news," I knew it. "A plane is being set up for us to take to South Carolina. You're going to Parris Island. I'm going to contact your college and start your withdrawal papers."

"You said a plane is taking 'us.' Which means I'm not the only one going," I spoke, not bothering to look at him.

"Yes," He started slowly. "I will be there, monitoring your progress, making sure you get fair treatment-"

"No." The idea of being protected bothered me. How was I to earn the respect of my comrades if there was a Senator breathing down everyone's necks, making sure I was being pampered? I may have been raised by a wealthy man, but I was not a spoiled child.

"Beg pardon?"

"If I'm going to train like a Marine, lead like a Marine, and possibly fight like one, I'm going to be treated however my leaders decide to treat me. Whether it's fair or not, I had a choice, just like those other men. I deserve whatever's thrown at me."

John was silent for a moment and then scoffed. "Whatever suits you. But if you don't mind, I'd like to be sure you don't die. We're leaving in two days. Only take clothes and a few personal items."

The next two days seemed like I was in a daze, simply packing what I needed, or at least what I thought I needed. Daddy accomodated to whatever need I had in those two days. However, the most I ever needed was a shoulder to cry on. Someone to tell my fears to. I had only seen John a handful of times, mostly at mealtimes. He was the only happy one in this house; he didn't seem to understand why my father and I kept so silent. As if this was a good thing, and the possibility of war was slim. Really, it only took me a day to pack. So I spent the rest of my time with my father and Phillipe on our land.

Daddy offered to move to South Carolina, that way I could have him and Phillipe nearby. I declined; he had a business to run and I didn't think it would fare kindly if it's owner relocated about 800 miles away for an indefinite amount of time. Departing was as difficult, if not more so, than I thought I would be. Saying goodbye to Mimi was the easiest part though. The mournful look in Phillipe's eyes made it worse, and by the time I got to my father, I was about ready to say "forget it" and take my suitcase back inside.

As tears streamed down my face I watched as my strong and brave father, Corporal in the Marines during the Great War, stood at the top of the driveway, waving goodbye to me. Phillipe at his side. Once the car left our property, I faced the front of the cab, wondering what was next. John sat next to me, a pleased expression on his face as the driver sped down the country roads to get to New Orleans on time. A blind man would have noticed the constant glances he sent my way.

"It's a real brave thing what you're doing, you know," He cooed. I knew John was only trying to reassure me that my decision was the right one. But I couldn't help but not want his help or his reassurance. I simply nodded and watched the passing scenery. "Don't think I know many women who would be willing to do this."

"You don't know any other women who were offered this." I snapped, still watching the blurs of oak, pecan, and holly trees.

"True," He shrugged. "I have to ask though, what's your boyfriend to think when he notices his girl has up and left town?"

"Don't have a boyfriend. No fiance either." I said gruffly, not really in the mood to talk. Or to use proper grammer.

"Oh?" John mused, looking at the ceiling of the Cadillac. "Well, then, shall we hope the Theriot reputation doesn't scare away any potential suitors?"

I rolled my eyes and faced my back towards him. I didn't want to talk, and even if I did, I wanted to talk to my father. Surely, John attempted to talk to me during the duration of our trip to New Orleans. However, I slept most of the way there. And when I wasn't sleeping, I tried to pretend I was. I did the same thing on the plane to South Carolina and the car ride to Parris Island, only speaking to use the restroom or to tell John I was hungry or thirsty.

My anxiety peaked when we entered the gates of the training base. MP's with rifles stared into the car with accusing eyes as if they knew we had something to hide. I wondered if they knew, that I was going to be a Marine too. The car passed the entrance gate, and headed down the main road, on both sides of the road were men in t-shirts and shorts, running in rank. The driver took a few turns to get to a building that looked similar to the rest of the buildings on the base. However, the sign in the front told everyone that it was the main office building.

It was then that we got out of the car, greeted by a low ranking officer who was scrawny and kind of pale. I couldn't remember his name, but only that he was very kind and seemed to be interested in a woman joining the ranks. As we entered the building, I felt like I was being watched by every man and woman who worked in there. As if they all knew I was going to become a soldier. The low ranking officer lead us to the office of a high ranking officer, the one who ran the base and its day to day activities. This one was tall, and very tan. He had little to no hair and greeted me enthusiastically.

"You must be Evangeline Theriot," He smiled, a light southern accent twisted his words. I put my tiny, olive skinned hand in his gigantic, leathery one and shook it. "Colonel Baker. I have a Gunnery Sergeant somewhere around here who served with your father."

"My father's reputation will surely be one which is difficult to surpass, sir." I smiled too, following the Colonel into the office. John walked closely behind me, at least until the Colonel saw him following.

"And you are?" Colonel Baker asked.

"John Lewis. I'm the Senator sent to make sure Ms. Theriot gets proper treatment." John answered casually. I glowered at him. I wasn't sure what it was, if it was the child of a Marine in me who expected answers to be given formally, or the self sufficiant woman who hated being closely watched.

"Well, you'll know if she's being hurt if you hear a shout," Baker grumbled, shooing him from the office. "Please leave."

John's face settled into a frown as he realized that the Colonel was serious. I listened as the office door shut. With the Senator finally gone I felt as if I could relax.

"Pardon me if I seemed rude. Politicians give me the willies." Baker laced his fingers together.

"Not at all sir," I sat straight in my chair, just as my father had taught me years ago. "I feel the same."

The Colonel picked up a few papers on his desk and went through them, making sure he read each one carefully. "So, you scored, not only the highest, but perfectly on the fitness exam?"

"That's what I've been told, sir."

"How long did you think about seriously taking up this offer?"

"A night. But I decided to do it because it just felt...right. I got the highest score. I don't think it would be right if I passed it off to someone else; someone who didn't do as well as I did." I explained.

The Colonel nodded. "Good. Because my men are not going to treat you with anymore kindness than they would give to a regular enlistee. You're not going to do special push ups or sit ups because you're a lady. You will bunk with the men, eat with the men, exercise, and train with them. However, if it feels too...improper for you to bathe with them, we can set up a time for you to do that by yourself."

"Sir, if I may say so bluntly, wouldn't allowing me to shower at a different time be special treatment?" I asked, simply curious. A broad smile grew on the military man's face as he leaned back in his chair.

"I like you, Ms. Theriot. I like your bravery. Not many women would step up to do something like this."

"Colonel," I searched for my next words. Seriously, I didn't want them to be my last. "May I ask how you feel about me joining the ranks of your men?"

The Colonel paused, as if he was choosing his next words carefully. He sat back in his plush leather chair, lacing his hands together and resting them on his flat stomach. I waited patiently, sitting up straight with my hands in my lap. Although the Colonel and I spoke casually enough, I couldn't help but feel that it was actually somewhat formal.

"I think," The Colonel spoke. "That a woman's place is at home, raising children and running the house. However, things are changin', and they're changin' quickly. I think if a woman wants to join the enlisted forces, it's up to her. And she needs to prove her worth, just like any other soldier."

I liked his answer, agreeing with it whole heartedly. There was a moment of silence between us which the Colonel broke as he stood. I followed, walking behind him to the door of his office.

"Private Jones will escort you to your new barracks and introduce you to your Sergeant. From there, you will meet the men," Colonel Baker held the door open for me as Jones, the skrawny man who lead John and I to the office Stood there, at attention. "Good luck, Private Theriot."