Casualties of Love Read Free

out.
                  “Commandant, can you give us a moment, please?”
                  “Yes, sir. I’ll be just outside,” Commandant said and left the room. Jessica sighed and waited.
                  “Jessica, what’s going on?” The Superintendent spoke to her plainly. This was what she had feared. She couldn’t lie to him. He’d always treated her with such respect when he had no reason to even show any interest in her at all. She was just one cadet among thousands he’d encountered, but he’d somehow always known who she was and seemed to care how she was doing. “You’re almost at the finish line. What is really going on with you? The truth . I know you don’t want to leave.”
                  “Sir…” she started and faltered. Tears were gathering in her eyes. Jessica blinked rapidly to try to stop their descent, but it failed to help. The Superintendent waited patiently. “Sir, I... I have to go.” He hadn’t relented and in the end Jessica had broken down. She told him everything that was going on with her. She had waited for him to ream her out for her stupidity, for getting this far and then walking away from it. It wasn’t everyday that kids like her got recommended to the Academy, to any military academy. But, he never shouted or raged at her. He did question her about her relationship with Tyson, but Jessica had vowed to keep Tyson out of her decision. She didn’t want him trying to convince her to stay, and she didn’t want anything to come between him and his graduation. The Superintendant asked if she was positive she didn’t want to try to finish out the year. He didn’t want to see her give up. But, Jessica didn’t see how she could.
                  “I have to leave,” she said again.
    “Alright,” he said soberly. “If you’re absolutely sure.” She nodded. He paused to call the Commandant back into the room before speaking again. “Cadet Watts, it is with great sadness that the US Military Academy accepts your resignation.” The Commandant looked between Jessica and the Superintendent multiple times. He seemed to be in complete disbelief over the fact that the Superintendent had not talked her out of leaving. The man began to sputter, but the Superintendent continued calmly. “Ms. Watts, the Commandant will work with you on how to process out.”
    “Yes, sir,” Jessica said as she stood. “Thank you, sir, for everything the Academy has provided for me here, for all of your encouragement and faith in me. I’m sorry I have let you down.” Jessica watched him as he prepared to leave. He seemed reluctant, paused at the threshold of the doorway.
    “Jessica…” he started but stopped himself. “Good luck, Ms. Watts.”
    After processing out and making arrangements to get home, Jessica did the thing she dreaded more than resigning. She found Tyson.
    “Hey. There’s my pretty girl. Where’ve you been?”
    Tyson grinned at her as he pulled her into his room. He immediately wrapped her in his arms and backed her up against his door. When he dipped his mouth to hers, Jessica couldn’t turn away. She couldn’t resist the kiss knowing she wouldn’t enjoy the taste him on her tongue or the feel of him pressed to her body for a long while. She clung to him in the near desperation that swamped her and that all of her internal coaching had suddenly failed to staunch. She tired unsuccessfully to interrupt the flow of the tears she could feel rapidly pooling at the corners of her eyes.
    When Tyson pulled back his easy smile faded quickly as he witnessed the tears rolling down her face.
    “Jess, what’s wrong? What happened?”
    Jessica tried to speak but the words wouldn’t come. She shook her head at him. She simply didn’t know how to start. How did she tell him she was leaving? How did she walk away from the person she loved more than anything?
    “Jessica,” Tyson said softly. He let go of her waist and