Page 4 of Yakima Nights

have back Taylors every move so he decide to leave, but could not. Gonzalez gathers her things and left, while Taylor yelled at Andre to get outside. She had earned a lot of respect from the other officers, but she had other motives too. Taylor was lonely and felt that Andre forgotten about her. After the noise had died down, Taylor left walking towards the gym with Andre in hot pursuit. Andre grabs her wrist to try to slow her down but she pulled away. Taylor did not want anything to do with him, than Andre yelled “Is that all it takes? You see me with another girl and instantly I forgot about you. How do you think I feel when you are around those guys” All of them have more money and power than me. I could assume a lot too” Taylor had no answer, no comeback; she was complete caught off guard by his omission of jealousy. Andre saw others starting to leave out the Firing Point, so he gave her a paper he was holding in left to catch up to the other guys. It was a flyer for a “club night” at the Firing Point. On the weekends, the entire place was cleared of the chairs and tables and a DJ was arranged. Andre knew that Taylor was going to be there because the command teams made everyone go. The platoon called it “Funishment” or mandatory fun.

  The first week was already done and training was going to pick up pretty soon. This night was going to be one of the few nights they could be in a room together. As the light of the night shine, the music from the Firing Point was loud. The moon was bright with a bluish glow. It reminded Andre of a Van Gogh painting he saw once. Everyone gather in the building at a fast pace and for a moment most forgot they were in the army. The music was a mix of alterative pop, rock, and hip-hop. Taylor was a country girl, but the combination of the melody was teasing her. Capt. Meads was there and had a couple moves himself, but Taylor was looking for Andre, who was mysteriously absence. With the music gaining volume, a lot of guys wanted to dance with Taylor. Cutting though a jungle of individuals, Meads had made his way to her. Grabbing her by the hip he whispers in her ear, “Do you want to dance”? Taylor, who did not want to entertain him was about to say no. Before she could say anything Meads interrupted her, “That was a rhetorical question” and in grabs her hand leading her to the dance floor. However, when he turn around she had disappeared because Andre stolen her away. Looking at Meads, he asks him “Mine if I cut in?” Meads tried to respond but was cut off by Andre “That was a rhetorical question”. With a childish smile on her face, Taylor started walking with Andre to the dance floor. When they finally got thru the crowd, a new song was on. It was Empire on the Sun’s Walking on a Dream. In to her surprise, Andre was very aware of the song. He grasps her hands in brought her closer to him. Staring in her eyes, they started dancing. Moving in perfect sync, everyone’s eyes started to peep there way. While they dance, the DJ caught wind of it in instructed the workers to shine the spotlight. For a minute, they had taking over the festivity and the on lookers cheer them on. Once the music came to a slow moment, Andre was behind Taylor wrapping his arms around her. Taylor lifted her face towards Andres and their lips touch gently to each other’s. However, before things got steamy they push away from each other. Laughing, they were able to persuade some of the audiences they accumulated that it was nothing more than a dance. Tyler and Dustin where also there and they knew it was more. Dustin and Tyler pull each of them apart with Tyler quipping, “Dam, yall going to give others a chance. Making us look bad and shit” The crowd that was left laugh with them and Dustin swiftly took Taylor in started dancing with her. Capt. Meads was not oblivious to what had just happen. He was embarrassed and tried to shut the party down, but 1st Sgt. would not let him near the DJ. 1st Sgt. did not see what happen, but he was having fun and was not about to let an officer ruin his good time.

  Dustin was with Andre around this time, and was walking him out. Dustin looking shock asking him “What was that about”? “Are you too together”? Andre never able to lie to Dustin responds with a quick “Yes”. While they talk about it Capt. Meads caught up with him. He quickly orders Dustin away and start to tear into Andre. “Stillwell, are you out your mind!!” “Your conduct in there was inexcusable.” Andre just stared at him and decided he had enough. He cut Meads off before he could finish, “Are you mad that this girl is not into you?” “Huh, don’t get mad at me because she doesn’t want you, sir”. Meads grab Andre by his shirt collar and raise his hand. Before, he could move Staff Sgt. Sampson secured it. “Sir, I don’t think you want to do that”. Meads snatch away from Sampson and gather his belonging. While walking away, he turn around in pointed at Andre “You stay away from her”. Andre just waves him off, but was stop by Sampson. “What are you doing?” “You are married and she is an Officer. Regardless of how this turn out, you will get hurt and you career will be over” “Is it worth it?” Taylor had caught up with Andre, but slowed her pace once she saw Sampson talking to him. He walked away with Sampson and she went back to her barracks. That night for them was magical. Though there actions, they had just told the entire battery they were together. In even if they wanted to still keep it a secret, it was out now. Andre knew Meads was going to do everything he could to separate them. They had to be careful more than ever. As everyone went home the streets of Yakima Training Center was pack. Platoon leaders were gathering up there troops in putting them down for bed. Taylor was about to walk into her barracks when Andre appeared. He did not say anything, and she didn’t either. Outside under the moonlight he kissed her. Both knew of the empty building that was a few steps away from them. Both of them made their way into it and lock the door. They made love for the first time and even though it was not in the most immaculate surroundings, it was there moment. Andre had answer Sampson’s question, It was worth it.

  WonderWall

  Training was starting now and this meant no more beds or restaurants. Andre had been placed with Staff Sgt. Sampson as a guard once they got into the field. Both really did not have a job going out there. The first couple days were normal field training. Taylor was around but she was with 1st Lt Riddick and Capt. Meads most of the time. Once the first couple days were done, Andre found himself with Taylor each night. Both love looking at the stars and moon at night as did Tyler and Dustin. Most nights everyone would come out in relax under the stars. Yakima nights were mystical. The days were brutal and boring so they look forward to the nighttime. Stars sometime shine brighter than the moon. The wind blew with a little heat behind it; keeping anyone who was active warm. The ground gave away to the bluish light and reflected a green glow. Plants in Yakima were not visually appealing, but had an intoxicating aroma. Taylor and Andre talked every night and when they could they would disappear to have some alone. Everything was perfect for the moment. For a week, both of them forgot about there were worries. Dustin who makes sarcastic remarks a lot look at Andre after he came back to the tent. “Dude, she is your Wonderwall”. Andre confused but interested “What’s a Wonderwall?” “It’s like an invisible wall that keeps you from seeing reality.” Tyler overhearing the conversation chimes in, “Totally agree “Wonderwall” and also lame”. As both of them laugh, Andre went to find Taylor, but is stop by Capt. Meads. Meads look at Andre in said “Nice moves at the Firing point.” Walking away he stop in look at Andre “You’re never going to be together. Andre thinking said “What is he a stalker or something.” Andre ignores him and walks to find Taylor finally discovering her talking on the phone. Taylor was talking to Tony about their plans once they got home. Taylor hangs up to see Andre looking disheveled. Taylor looking at Andre with concern asks “What’s wrong?” Andre replying back in a soft voice “What happens after this” “Are we going back together or are we just living for the moment”. Taylor look at Andre “I don’t know “Its way more complicated than that”. They decide to drop the issue in just sit under the stars for the night. While staring at the stars, Taylor leaned over to Andre in whisper “I will leave him for you”. Andre thought about it and replied “I will leave her for you.” Both of them decided at that moment that they wanted to be together. The order to bed down was shouted in both of
them hug and went to their rest areas.

  Deciding to plan their life together the next day, they both agreed to get some sleep. Time had flown in Yakima and it was going on the third week of training. Although, Andre was fully aware all he could think about was the end. Once this week goes by, it’s back to reality and back to their lives. Andre had not seen Taylor that day and it was odd because they usually met at least once a day. Hours went by without one sighting and Andre begins to ponder. Just then, Dustin rush into the tent where Andre was “Bro, LT is hurt”. Andre jump up and started to get jitters “What happen”. Dustin trying to explain while catching his breath “Her vehicle flipped down a steep hill and they just took her into the Aid station”. Andre could not believe it and he was powerless to do anything. Just then, Andre heard “March Order” meaning they were leaving the area. Capt. Meads looking at his notes was suddenly overshadowed by Andre, “Sir, I want to go see LT.” Meads looking
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