Choke Point

TWENTY

30K sensed that Ross didn’t believe his story, but he didn’t care. The captain was trying to have a feel-good moment, and 30K figured he’d be cordial but wouldn’t go out of his way to be buddies. He’d rather maintain a professional relationship until Long John Silver proved himself –

And the only way that would happen was over time, over blood, sweat and tears.

The record was one thing. The ‘show me in the field’ was another, and while Ross had earned himself a few points during this operation, he had a long way to go, and 30K would be there every step of the way, keeping score.

‘Anything you want to know about me?’ Ross asked.

‘Not really, sir.’

‘I see.’

A particularly awkward silence followed, then suddenly 30K blurted out, ‘You married?’

‘Divorced.’

‘She got sick of the long deployments?’

‘Not exactly.’

‘I don’t care what they say. If your wife is hot, and you’re gone more than half the year, she’s going to cheat on you. It’s not a physical thing for them, it’s an emotional thing, and they need that. If you’re not there to give it to them, then they find it someplace else. It’s nature. No one can stop it.’

‘So yours cheated on you?’

‘Cheated? I never let it get that far. I like a nice twenty-four-hour relationship. Doesn’t give ’em much time to cheat.’

‘Sounds like you keep a tight schedule.’

‘Hell, yeah.’

‘Works for now, but when you get to be my age, you start thinking about a family.’

‘Damn, that’s the last thing I want. My mother raised me alone. My piece of shit loser of a father walked out when I was a baby. I’d kick his ass now if I saw him.’

‘That’s too bad.’

‘Yeah, I guess I got some daddy issues. Not sure I’d ever know how to be a father.’

‘Maybe one day. That kid looks into your eyes and calls you Dad. That’s hard to beat.’

‘How many you got?’

‘I had one. A little boy.’

‘She got him in the divorce?’

Ross didn’t answer at first, and when 30K looked over at him, he had his eyes closed.

‘Sir, you all right?’

‘Yeah, man. Let me call the major back. Harass him a little. See if he’s got new orders.’

‘Cool.’

30K swallowed and adjusted his grip on the wheel. Whatever happened to the captain’s little boy didn’t sound good. Mental note: Don’t go there again.

Still, the captain’s honesty regarding his personal life had just scored him a few more points. Not many. But a few.