21St Century Camp Follower: Back to Afghanistan

By J.D. Sherlock

In this follow up book to 21st Century Camp Follower Jim heads BACK TO AFGHANISTAN. He is Two thirds of the way through his deployment, the realities of living and working in a war zone are witling away at his naivety. The changes some subtle and others severe contribute to a building rage that he wrestles to contain. Will he be able fulfill his contract or fall short and have to deal with the ramifications that come with an early departure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483698021

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by J.D. Sherlock.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2013916453

ISBN:   Hardcover   978-1-4836-9801-4

             Softcover    978-1-4836-9800-7

             Ebook          978-1-4836-9802-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 01/06/2014

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CONTENTS

Wedding

The Return

Farah

Gereshk

Lagman

Contract Complete

Tarin Kowt Redux

F.n.g.

Demobe

The British

Sweeney

Journeys End

Seventeen Months Earlier

Glossary

FOR TODD

WEDDING

Jim was sitting in the waiting room of the pet emergency center waiting to hear if one of his dogs would have to be put down. It had been 15 days since Jim landed at Dulles International airport and his R&R began.

Linda surprised Jim by showing up at the airport with a chauffeur driven limousine and all of his grandchildren. Jim was able to relax and take in his family as they traveled the two hours to his home on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Jim chuckled to himself remembering how Duane had made fun of where Jim was from. Duane would constantly refer to it as the eastern shore of Minnesota.

When they arrived at the house Jim was greeted by his dogs. Bella and Bari were Lab Beagle mix; they had come from the same litter. Jim and Linda had gotten them from the local Humane Society when they where pups.

When Jim came home for his first R&R the dogs treated him like a stranger but not this time. Wagging tails and barking ensued when Jim entered the house. Linda, with Jim’s grandchildren, managed to squeeze past the chaos making their way to the kitchen.

The first hour at the house was hectic. Between kids and dogs Jim was feeling overwhelmed. Once Linda’s daughter picked up the kids the house settled down.

Do you want to see what I have done for the wedding Linda asked Jim?

Sure said Jim as they headed toward the dining room.

Linda had everything scheduled for the next day, first on the list was applying for a marriage license followed by picking out rings, church, then lunch at the restaurant where she had reserved a room for after the wedding. Linda hadn’t missed a thing. Jim not being around for the past 8 months had turned Linda into quite the task master. Linda was excited. Jim was exhausted.

I have to get some sleep or I am going to be worthless tomorrow Jim said.

I have a few more things to do, you go to sleep and I will be in later Linda said.

Love you.

Love you too said Jim.

It’s good to have you home Linda said.

Good to be home Jim replied as he walked down the hall to his bedroom.

Twenty four hours later Jim and Linda were on a plane flying south over the Gulf of Mexico headed towards the Yucatan Peninsula. They would spend the next 12 days at an all inclusive resort. This was the first real vacation Jim and Linda had been on. The days went by quickly and before they knew it they were standing in the hotel Lobby waiting for the airport shuttle for the flight home. Neither of them was upset that their vacation had sped by. They had a wonderful time and they were excited about their nuptials taking place in 36 hours.

When they arrived at the check in counter at the airport the ticketing agent asked if he would like to upgrade.

First class is an additional 75 dollars.

Sold Jim said as he handed him his credit card.

First class Linda said to Jim.

Hey it’s our reverse Honeymoon Jim said as they walked toward the first class lounge.

I could get used to this Linda said as she sat in a swivel chair. I should call my mother.

Go ahead Jim said.

Linda loved to feel special and Jim loved making her feel special. If there was anybody that deserved to be sitting in first class it was Linda. After a couple of hours in the first class lounge they headed towards their gate. First class passengers boarded first so they only had to wait a few minutes before they could board. Once they got on the plane they had their choice of first class seats. Nice thought Jim.

After the plane was in the air the stewardess asked them which meal they would prefer. Linda said she didn’t know which to have so the stewardess brought her one of each.

This is living Linda said after the stewardess cleared the plates from their trays.

Yep we are styling Jim said.

They landed in the United States on a Thursday night and they were getting married on Saturday. Friday was spent picking up rings and the marriage license. That evening Linda’s youngest daughter and her husband arrived at the house. Lisa Marie grew up with Jim. She was the daughter Jim had never had. When she was nine Linda and Jim moved in together. 12 years later Jim was walking her down the aisle on her wedding day. Interestingly enough it was after Lisa was married that Jim felt the need to go overseas.

Jim spent the last decade raising kids, now they were grown and on their own. Jim’s life had become stagnant both personally and professionally, he lacked a challenge or so he thought. Lisa Marie had married a guy whom, if Jim hadn’t been Lisa’s pseudo dad he may have liked. Lisa Marie’s husband Emrick had grown on Jim while he was away. Linda had a frightening experience while driving her car. After Lisa informed Emrick her mother did not have a cell phone he immediately went out bought one and had it sent overnight preprogrammed with all the numbers she would need. Emrick would send a man care package to Jim every so often that always made the rounds with the guys Jim worked with. That night the four of them stayed up late talking and laughing.

The next morning Jim got up while it was still dark. He went into the kitchen and made coffee. The dogs fell back into the routine they had before Jim went away impatiently standing at the back door tails wagging.

Jim let the dogs out filled his cup with coffee and went out the back door onto the deck. Streams of sunlight pierced the blue morning sky as Jim pulled a chair away from the table sat down and sighed. Jim sat while the dogs played King of the deck. It was a simple game and entertaining to watch. Each dog would try to knock the other off the deck while racing under and above the deck, back and forth. Jim had a cup of coffee in his hand when Linda walked onto the deck from the kitchen.

King of the deck, she asked?

Yep Jim replied.

Who’s winning?

Who knows Jim replied.

They sat for a few minutes in silence then Linda spoke.

I see you have your bag packed, I thought you might stay around for a while after we get married?

You know I have to go back Jim replied.

Do you?

If I don’t, we would have to pay taxes on what I have already earned and then we would be in bad shape.

We have been in bad shape before Linda replied.

Let’s not do this… .

Jim trailed off as Lisa Marie came out the door.

You guys are getting married today, are you excited? From the look on Lisa’s face she was excited enough for all of them.

Come on Mommy let’s start getting you ready.

Ok Linda said. I will see you at the church Mr. Sherlock.

I will be the one waiting at the end of the aisle Jim replied.

Linda and Lisa headed into the house, Jim grabbed another cup of coffee and watched the dogs battle for the top of the deck.

Jim arrived at the church with Emrick an hour before the ceremony was to start. The Pastor had not arrived yet. The parking lot was empty except for one car. Jim and Linda had decided on a small affair; just parents and the siblings that brought them. Linda’s brother was in the parking lot with his girlfriend and Linda’s Mother.

Hey Jim, congratulations.

Thanks Jim replied. How are you doing Nick?

Good Nick replied.

Is that Jim, a voice called out from the backseat of the car?

Yeah Ma, Nick called out as he went to grab her arm to help her out of the car.

Hey Grace, Jim said as his future Mother in Law hugged him.

You look great. Where’s Linda?

Still at the house with Lisa getting ready Jim replied.

As they talked, cars started pulling into the lot. First Jims Dad and Step-Mother then the Pastor, Jims Brother and his significant other with Jim’s Mom. Linda’s oldest daughter arrived with her four children.

Linda’s oldest daughter was a success story that Jim loved to tell. She became pregnant as a teen and had a son, then stayed with the boy and became pregnant again. She came to her senses a year later and moved in with Linda and Jim, got her GED, went to college and was now a registered nurse with a Bachelors degree.

Linda and Lisa pulled into the parking lot, and then the group headed into the church. The service was simple. Both of the girls stood at the altar holding flowers as Jim and Linda exchanged vows. The Pastor pronounced them man and wife and the families took pictures at the church and then headed to the restaurant.

Jim and Linda had reserved a room that faced the water. Everyone had a great time. Jim’s father gave an emotional toast that no one wanted to follow but a few tried anyway. Linda and Jim invited everyone back to the house to continue the celebration.

The group went back to the house but quickly dispersed. The mood changed drastically when someone asked Jim when he had to leave. Up until that point no one had thought to ask. When Jim answered tomorrow, a slight gasp could be heard from the group. Everyone knew he was going back but no one realized how soon.

Didn’t you just get back Jims mother asked him?

I came home two weeks ago mother; Linda and I went to Mexico now I have to go back to work. That stinks, was her response.

Everyone had traveled a long distance and wanted to make it home during the daylight. Lisa and Emrick would be staying the night and taking Jim to the airport the next day.

That night while they sat in the living room Linda noticed Bella was limping and walking sideways.

Do you see the way Bella is walking she asked Jim?

Jim looked over and watched Bella fall over as she tried to walk past the sofa. Great Jim thought to himself. Jim got up and started towards Bella, immediately her tail started to wag and bang against the floor. That’s a good sign Jim thought to himself. Never the less Jim had to promise Linda that he would make sure she was okay before he left.

Jim had hoped that he could spend a nice relaxing morning before heading to the airport for his 22 hour trek back to Afghanistan. That was not to be; Jim watched as the veterinarian walked out from behind the door that led to the canine emergency room.

Well, Jim asked wanting the news to come fast and good.

I was concerned she may have Lyme disease the vet told Jim. All the tests came back negative.

Great Jim said; why is she falling down and limping?

She appears to be bruised in her hind quarter. Any idea how that could’ve happened the vet asked Jim?

Bari, Jim replied.

Bari, the vet asked?

Bella’s brother, they were playing king of the deck. He must have pushed her off the deck while they were playing.

That would explain it, the vet said. I will give you some pills to give her for the pain. She should be back to normal in a couple of days. Keep her separated from her brother while she recuperates."

No problem, Jim said as he looked at Emrick. What time is it, Jim asked?

11:45 Emrick responded.

Jim’s flight left at 5:00 and the airport was three hours away and Jim had to be there 2 hours ahead of departure. Cutting it close, Jim said out loud.

Bella came out from behind the counter limping with her tail wagging.

We gave her a shot for the pain so she should sleep for the rest of the day once you get her home.

$300.00 dollars later and they were in the car headed back to Jim’s house. You know this could work to my advantage, Jim said to Emrick. We get back to the house, Bella is ok and Bari is in trouble for beating on his sister. That will focus attention on the dogs rather than my departure. Emrick, would you do something for me?"

Sure anything.

Would you leave Lisa behind and take me to the airport in my truck? You can keep the truck at your house until the next time you visit. This way Linda isn’t left alone after I head to the airport.

No problem replied Emrick.

That’s the way it went. Jim and Emrick got back to the house and Jim gave Linda the lowdown on Bella’s situation while Emrick filled Lisa in on the plan. Twenty minutes later Jim and Emrick were in his truck headed to Dulles International Airport. That was easy, Jim thought to himself while they traveled toward the airport.

When they arrived at the airport Emrick pulled up to the limousine drop off and Jim jumped out of the truck.

Thanks for everything, Jim yelled out as he grabbed his bag and headed into the terminal.

Take care of yourself, said Emrick.

When Jim entered the terminal the line at the check-in stretched all the way to the door. Jim looked up at the clock above the desk; it was two hours till his flight was due to take off. Who knew how long it would take for Jim to get through the line. The one thing Jim knew is he couldn’t miss his flight. As he scanned the crowd he noticed no one was in the line for first class at the counter.

Jim pulled out his Military ID, his orders and