Can I Live Again? - Tyrone Vincent Banks (summer reading list txt) 📗

the tunnel were getting closer to my position, I panicked and tried to remove the ring in spite of the fact that it was stuck on my finger. I unsheathed my knife and sliced the finger off just as the trap door opened. I removed the cover of my bible and dropped it on the ground along with my dog tag to serve as a clue to my whereabouts.”

“I was pulled into this underground tunnel and a man, who I later found out was Abdul’s father Ahmed, carried him as I was assisted by two women who helped me back to the village. Just as the door closed an explosion occurred a few feet away. I awakened in a small hut in the corner of the village. They bandaged my wounded hand and took good care of me. Some of the enemy fighters would question the villagers as to who was in that hut and they were told that I was a leper. Not the cleverest answer but an effective answer nonetheless. They took care of me but were afraid to tell anyone of my survival so that the enemy combatants would not use me as leverage or just simply execute me to set an example.”

“I stayed in that small shack for over a month. It wasn’t the most luxurious place for me but I felt safe there. I stayed until this group of brave men extracted me without incident.”

“Very well! As you all know, none of this ever happened. Due to a clerical error you were listed as KIA and your rescue team – never left Quantico! Understood?”

“Yes Sir!”

“Very well! And, by the way, you’re all up for promotions!! You accomplished an impossible objective in spite of all of the cards bring stacked against you. Once we get back to Quantico we’ll discuss the details of your promotions. Lady and Gentlemen, this was an outstanding day in the history of the corps!! OO-RAH!”

The Colonel saluted, turned and exited the room.

A resounding “OO-RAH” echoed throughout the large cafeteria. Leonard sat on a couch as Manuela snuggled close to him.

“So, what’s with the leg? You’re not using a cane and your running all over Iraq fighting evil…A lot has changed in the last year!”

“Yes, it has! I believed that I was healed and it was so. You tried to teach me about the bible and at times I refused to accept what I read. After I thought that you were gone, the Bible and Mikal were all that I had left. Do you know how smart our little man has become? He was the one who kept me going! He never lost faith in the fact that you were okay and that you’d be home. Not once did he shed a tear or lose hope. He gave me scripture to read and even quoted scripture to me! He’s going to do great things when he’s older! Do you think that he’ll join the corps.?”

“Why, you want him to be a sniper?”

“No, I think that he’d make an excellent Chaplain!”

“Or a chef!”

“What?”

“He made his first pizza by himself this morning! He’s a natural! He says that he has a surprise for us when we get home.”

“What home? Quantico or Connecticut?”

“You know Leonard, I’ve been thinking about that. We moved away from Quantico after you were injured because you were bitter about your injuries. I think that it’s time to go back and turn things around. I’ve been dreaming about starting our own church on the base. You’re more than qualified to continue training young men to become snipers or anything that you’d want to teach. I miss the base and I miss my parents. Let’s go back to the beginning and start over again. We have a chance to live again and make changes in our lives for the better. Our Marines need prayer and guidance and I know that we can do this together! “

Leonard was silent.

“Think about those cool Quantico nights on the base and trips to Virginia beach. Wearing the uniform again, free food, new recruits being run off of the bus when they arrive on base….unlimited use of the firing range?”

Leonard smiled at that

thought.

“So what do you say Lieutenant Colonel Leonard Thomas?”

Leonard replied, “I’ll say that this is an outstanding idea Major Manuela Ortiz-Thomas!”

***
Later the next afternoon the team boarded a helicopter and traveled the final miles back to Quantico. They landed on a small airstrip and their “hero’s” welcome took the form of a handful of concerned family members waiting for their chance to hug their loved ones again. Manuela and Leonard walked towards the armory and Leonard turned in his weapon after giving it a quick kiss.

Throughout a quick debriefing – which, based on United States Department of Defense records – never really occurred, Leonard and Manuela were eager to see Mikal once again. Their individual thoughts converged on the history of their relationship and their only child. They had traveled so far individually and then collectively and now it was time for the next chapter of their lives together.

They borrowed a car from the motor pool and headed towards Velazio’s place. As they traveled down the roads Leonard noticed several Candidates, Officers and enlisted men traveling along the neat and groomed streets of Quantico. They arrived at the restaurant and Leonard opened the door and his wife entered first. Leonard entered to the sound of applause and they were surrounded by family members. They scanned the room with the hope of spotting their son as they were lead to their special table.

They sat across from each other and moments later the kitchen door opened and Mikal walked out carrying a large pizza as his great aunt and uncle looked on proudly. He placed it on the table and sighed – relieved that he didn’t drop the pie. Leonard and Manuela hugged him tightly and neither one of them wanted to let go. After minutes of embracing the family sat at the table and began to eat Mikal’s delicious creation.

While eating, a candidate with a handful of books entered and sat in a table across from them – which was the only vacant table at the time. He looked at the military couple wearing their sharp uniforms adorned with medals and pins from missions that “didn’t ever happen.” He walked back to the restroom as a female officer candidate entered, carrying a larger stack of books, looking for an empty seat in the crowded restaurant. Manuela made eye contact with her and pointed to the seat previously occupied by the male officer candidate. She was seated and the other candidate returned and noticed her sitting there. Leonard gave a covert thumbs-up and he sat across from his surprise guest.

She started to stand and he motioned to her that it was okay. Seconds later they introduced themselves to each other and shook hands. Not skipping a beat, they opened their books and started to quiz each other.

“Manuela Ortiz Thomas, you were trying to hook those two up?”

“Why Leonard Mikal Thomas, what makes you say that?”

Mikal smiled and said, “You two are made for each other!”

Leonard looked into Manuela’s eyes and stated, “Son, you are absolutely right!”

The End.

Imprint

Text: ©2006 Tyrone Vincent Banks
Publication Date: 12-23-2008

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
Dedicated to God and all of His children called to serve.