In the
Crosshairs of a Mother's Eye
By Rebecca Crawford
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Copyright 2003 Rebecca Crawford
CHAPTER 8
School
started Monday after the required physical training that morning. Classes
lasted from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. everyday, except the weekends. The first day
was spent accumulating class books, the teaching sergeants made their
introductions and familiarized the soldiers with what their training would
cover. They let out for lunch break at 11:30 a.m. Shameca raced toward Liz
catching up to her. “Girl, did you see Sergeant Ramsey? He’s one fine black
man.”
“Shameca, you know you can’t date an NCO that’s over you. That’s fraternizing.”
“No
girlfriend, its not that you can’t date them, it’s that you can’t get caught.”
“Be
careful testing those waters.”
Shameca
had that love struck look in her eyes. “Oh, I will! I haven’t failed no test
yet.”
Liz
walked with Shameca laughing all the way to chow hall. After lunch they went
back and finished up the day.
Later
that evening, Liz returned to her barracks. Calvin called; the private on duty
came knocking at her door to let Liz know he was on the hallway phone for her.
Liz filled Calvin in on the day’s events. “Do you miss me, Calvin?”
“More
and more every day, did you get your name tags changed on your uniforms?”
“Like
the speed of light.”
Calvin
laughed. “Now you can carry me with you every day.”
“How is
advanced schooling at Fort Bliss?”
“Great!
I’m in the military intelligence battalion. We’ve already doing a lot of war
simulation exercises. I find it exciting and challenging.”
“It
sounds interesting, Calvin.”
“My
scores and performance are high and should allow for placement into a special
ops unit.”
Liz
knew that special ops meant this could cause Calvin to deploy into danger zones,
but Calvin wanted this. Liz knew she would support and back him all the way.
“Calvin that’s wonderful! I knew I married an intelligent man. When I get
closer to graduation I’ll be requesting permanent duty at Fort Bliss. If you
have any connections there see if they can maybe put in a good word for me with
the out processing division.”
“I’m
one step ahead of you, baby, I’m already doing that.”
“Good I
hope it works!”
“Don’t worry your pretty head about it. I think it’s basically handled, but
keep that between us.”
Liz
stood grinning. “My lips are sealed.”
“They
won’t be when I get a hold of you.”
“I may
make an exception where you’re concerned.”
“Oh,
I’ll make you want to.”
“Don’t
get my temperature up Calvin. You’re too far away right now.”
“Take a
cool shower, baby. I better get off now. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”
“I’ll
be waiting, Calvin.”
They
exchanged good byes and hung up. Liz stood leaning against the hallway wall
thinking of Calvin. Maybe a cool shower would shed some steam.. Liz went to
her room grabbing her towel and sweats and heading for the bathroom.
When
she got back to her room Tiffany was there sitting on her bunk with her head
down in her hands. “Hey Tiffany, what’s wrong?”
Tiffany
looked up at Liz her eyes puffy from crying. “My brother, he’s seventeen now,
just got hurt in a jet ski accident. He’s in intensive care. They’re not sure
if he’s going to make it. He’s sustained bad head injuries.”
Liz sat
down holding Tiffany. “Try to stay positive. Did you get released for
emergency leave?”
“Yes,
I’m supposed to be packing right now. It’s just so hard to believe this is
really happening.”
“Pull
yourself together, Tiffany, for your brother’s sake. Now I’ll help you, let’s
get you packed.”
Liz
packed up Tiffany’s bag, while Tiffany was changing into her class ‘A’ uniform.
“Have
you already got a flight booked?”
“Yes,
the company battalion’s officer did it for me.”
“Good.”
“They
gave me a week’s leave of absence. It’ll sit me back in my schooling, but I
could really care less right now.”
“Tiffany, just hang in there. I’ll see you when you get back.”
Liz
gave Tiffany a hug. “I’ll go call a cab for you.”
Liz
went to the barrack’s phone, calling a cab. She came back and escorted Tiffany
to the sidewalk; waiting on the cab to arrive.
“Thanks, Liz.”
“You
bet. Try not to worry too much; I’m here if you need me, just call.”
“Okay.”
The cab
rolled to a stop in front of them. Liz gave Tiffany one last hug. “I’ll be
praying for your brother.”
Tiffany
nodded; climbing into the cab. Liz stood watching as the cab disappeared just
like the day Calvin left.
Shameca
came walking up. “Girl, here you are again staring down the road. Is this
weird or what?”
Liz
turned facing Shameca. “Yeah, it is, especially with you walking up again.”
“So
what’s going on now?”
“I’ll
tell you all about it on our way back to the barracks.”
“Damn,
girl, here we go again.”
Liz
gave the details to Shameca about Tiffany’s brother. With such sad news, their
hearts felt heavy that night; leaving them little else to talk about. Liz said
a prayer for Tiffany’s brother before falling asleep that night.
The
next three weeks seemed to fly by. Liz buried herself in her studies during the
day enjoying the hands on training of the equipment she was being trained to
repair. Calvin never missed a night calling her, except when she had to pull
chow hall duty. Liz really didn’t care for the smell of the cleaning agents
mixing with the aroma of the food; it made her appetite diminish for a few days
afterwards.
Tiffany
came back. Her brother had pulled through and was in stable condition before
she returned. Tiffany had got to talk to him; which brought her much relief,
but she was set back a class and no longer was in Liz and Shameca’s group.
The
months of training moved along swiftly, pleasing Liz. She was ready to be back
in Calvin’s arms. Toward the end of the fourth month of schooling, Shameca and
Liz were sitting outside in the break area.
“Liz,
remember how you told me to be careful testin’ the waters?”
Liz
looked up knowing exactly what Shameca was referencing to. “Yes, I remember.”
Shameca
looked around making sure no one else was in ear shot of their
conversation.
I’ve
been testin’ them for two months now, and, oh, does it feel good!”
“Shameca, you mean Sergeant Ramsey?”
“The
one and only.”
“I hope
you’re being discrete. I would hate it for both of you if you were caught.”
“Oh,
he’s sly, Liz, we usually meet off post in our civilian clothes.”
“I
would have never known, in class he treats you like you barely exist.”
“I
know, pretty good, huh? We exchange hidden glances. No one ever has caught
that. Girl, he is so fine!”
“So is
this just something to pass the time or what?”
“Shoot
girl! I don’t know what we have. He’s a cool guy, and I like him in every
way. He just seems to hide his feelings.”
“Why
don’t you try the old fashion way, ask him.”
“Well,
I have a greater problem than that right now, Liz.”
“And
what’s that?”
“I
think I’m pregnant.”
“What!
Are you sure?”
“Liz,
I’m pretty sure.”
“Okay,
so what’s your next move? You’re going to tell him aren’t you?” Shameca became
very quiet. “Shameca, Aren’t you?”
“I don’t
know yet. You have to understand, Liz, I’m from a big family. Most of my
brothers and sisters didn’t even graduate high school, and ended up with bad
jobs and low pay. My mother was so proud of me when I did graduate and join the
Army. She had such high hopes for me, Liz. I just can’t stand the thought of
letting her down.”
“I
think you should tell Sergeant Ramsey, see what he says about it before you make
a decision you may regret.”
“I hope
it works out.”
“One
way or another it will.”
Shameca
left that night for her secret rendezvous with Sergeant Ramsey. Liz talked to
Calvin after Shameca left.
Shameca
never returned that night. She came strolling in the next morning at 6:30 a.m.
Liz was dressing for their routine morning PT workout. Shameca went to her
locker with a grin, just waiting for Liz to ask.
“I
gather by the smile on your face it means good news.”
“Yes,
it does!”
“Well?”
“We met
up last night for dinner and then got a room in town. He could tell there was
somethin’ on my mind, so I told him I thought I might be pregnant. Liz, he was
such a gentleman! He grabbed me up holding me close. He was so happy! It
really surprised me. He suggested I get a pregnancy test, so we went to the
drug store and picked one up. We returned to the hotel room, did the test, and
can you believe it was negative? I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I’m
goin’ down today to get on sick call to see what’s up.”
“Things
still okay between you two?”
“Actually, better than ever, I finally was able to see past the barrier he kept
up. We talked a lot last night and he really expressed his feelings about us.”
“What
about when you finish school?”
“Girl,
I’m not thinkin’ about that until I have to. I’m just gonna let life take its
course.”
“I’m
just glad you’re happy.”
“Me,
too, Mama would have kicked me in the seat of my pants!”
Liz
went to PT, met up with Shameca after sick call and then they went to their
classes for the day. That night Shameca slipped off to town as usual. Liz had
just finished her call with Calvin when she heard her stomach grumble. She set
off for chow hall before it closed. On her way back to the barracks, she kept
getting an eerie feeling that someone was following her. It was dark out; the
street lights were spread out causing some areas to be darker than others. Liz
quickly turned around catching a glimpse of someone slipping behind one of the
buildings not far behind her. Liz turned around and started walking at a faster
pace. She felt the presence again and broke into a dead run to the barracks.
Liz leapt into the barracks entrance clearing the steps. The soldier on duty
nearly fell out of his chair behind the guard station desk.
“Geez, Private Richards, what are you trying to do? Scare the crap out of me!”
Liz
stood at the desk trying to catch her breath. “Sorry, Private Quinn, I just
thought someone was following me.”
Private
Quinn got up and hurriedly looked around outside. “I don’t see anyone.”
Liz
stood with her hands on the desk trying to regain her composure. “I’m telling
you someone was out there.”
“If
there was they’re not anymore, don’t be so paranoid. It was more than likely
another soldier on their way back from chow.”
Liz
thought it out. “Yeah, you’re probably right. I’m over reacting, sorry for
scaring you.”
He
laughed nervously. “Hey, no problem, I’m not sleeping anymore.”
“Good
night, Private Quinn.”
Liz
went to her room. After changing into her night shirt and climbing into bed,
she lay there thinking about tonight’s scare. Maybe it was just a coincidence.
Liz shrugged it off and went to sleep.
During
the next week, every night after chow when she wasn’t walking with someone, it
seemed that her imaginary follower was always lurking behind her. She couldn’t
say for sure he was following her, which left her without proof to go to anyone
with. Liz thought of a plan to test the situation. Tomorrow night she would
leave the chow hall building and wait.
The next
day at class, Liz and Shameca sitting across from each other; were testing
resistors and capacitors. “Shameca, if I were to tell you that I thought
someone’s been following me the last few weeks, what would you think?”
“I
would think you already have one man.”
“Shameca, this is for real and it’s kind of freaky.”
“Girl,
are you serious?”
“Very.”
“I
guess I would say that’s strange. Maybe it’s just a soldier with a crush.”
“No,
Shameca, I get an eerie feeling about this.”
“Can
you prove it?”
“No,
not yet, but I’m going to check it out tonight.”
“You’re
crazy! Not me, no way. This black girl ain’t into doin’ nothin’ like that.
You’re spookin’ me, girl.”
Liz saw
the fright in Shameca’s eyes, “Hopefully, its nothing.”
“Liz,
surely nobody would pull some crazy shit on the base.”
“Let’s
hope you’re right, Shameca.”
Liz
dropped the conversation; continuing her testing. Deep inside she had no idea
what to expect tonight.
That
evening before Liz went to the chow hall she grabbed her small travel size can
of hairspray, tucking it into the pocket of her BDU uniform just in case.
She
went to the chow hall trying to act as normal as possible. The anxiety she felt
didn’t help her appetite, but she ordered the normal portions in case this
person was watching. Liz started wondering maybe she was blowing this out of
proportion, if so, she would feel like an idiot.
Liz
left the chow hall. After she cleared the exit door she darted behind the back
of the building in the dark waiting. Twenty minutes went by and she had seen
nothing more than your normal scene. Liz let out her breath thinking how the
mind can play tricks on you. Once the feeling of sheer stupidity left her she
headed back, but thought a walk around the PT field might do her some good in
clearing her mind.
The
tension eased as she approached the field, it was dark but the distant street
lights gave it a soothing glow. Liz had just cleared the shrubs that surrounded
the field. She strolled along thinking of her new husband and the future that
lay ahead for them. Before she realize what was even happening an arm encircled
her neck making it hard for her to breath, and a long blade glistened in her eye
as she felt the coolness of the metal against her jugular vein. The voice was
low and raspy. “Don’t move or try to scream, unless you want me to split you
from ear to ear.”
Liz’s
heart pounded hard against her chest as the fear gripped her. “What do you
want?”
“You
bitch; I want you, all of you.”
“Please, just let me go!”
“Oh,
how your cries for release make my dick hard.”
Liz
knew she was in no position to resist him, so she would do as he requested. “So
what, are you going to rape me?”
“That’s
just the start of what I’m going to do to you, Liz.”
“How do
you know my name?”
“I know
everything about you, everything.”
The
attacker stepped backwards pulling her with him into the shrubs. “You prance
around the base with your long legs enticing us men, making us want to fuck
you.”
Liz
just let him talk without saying a word. Her mind was frantically thinking of
what to do. She knew if she didn’t think of something fast he would rape and
murder her getting away with it. She remembered the hairspray in her BDU
pocket. As he drug her back, Liz pleaded with him for her life, knowing it
would keep his mind on his erection. She slowly reached down grabbing the
hairspray from her pocket. It was small enough to fit in the palm of her hand.
She waited for the right moment.
He made
Liz lay down on the cool ground. She kept her hand at her side out of his
view. He straddled her waving the knife close to her face. “Keep quiet, cunt.”
He the
ripped her BDU top open and used the knife to cut her t-shirt open and bra off,
exposing her breasts. His breath quickened as he reached for her pants. When
he shifted his eyes to look around the field one last time, Liz lifted the can
spraying him in the eyes.
He fell
off of her; rolling around on the ground, “You fucking bitch!”
At that
moment, a soldier hearing the ruckus; ran to the scrubs in that direction of the
noise. He saw Liz’s condition and the knife the man still held. He jumped on
the bastard beating repeatedly at his face. He grabbed the knife and turning to
Liz yelled, “Go get help!”
Liz got
up, closing her top and holding it she ran. She came upon two soldiers. “Help,
there’s a man back there, he tried to rape me! Another soldier is trying to
keep him pinned down!”
By the
looks of Liz’s uniform they knew it was true. One soldier ran to call the base
military police (MP), while the other stayed with Liz. “Are you alright? Are
you hurt?”
“No,
but that soldier needs some help in restraining that crazy lunatic!”
“You
stay here until the MP’s arrive.”
Liz was
mentally in shock, “Okay.”
The
soldier ran over to the scene to help. It wasn’t long before the MP’s had the
scene surrounded. They took the abductor into custody. When he walked past Liz
in chains and shackles; he twisted his head toward her. Liz could see the
facial contusions and bruises that the soldier gave him. “I’m not through with
you bitch!”
The
base MP’s brought her a blanket to wrap herself in. “Private Richards we need
you to come with us so we can get your statement. Do you want to see a doctor
first?”
“No, I,
uh, I’m okay.”
Liz got
into the MP vehicle along with the soldiers who witnessed the event and was
taken in. She gave the investigative MP her full report, from the time she felt
that someone was following her until now.
“Why
didn’t you come to us sooner, Private Richards?”
“Because I didn’t have any real proof that the guy was stalking me, and you
can’t arrest people with just an assumption.”
The MP
Sergeant looked at Liz. “I’m really sorry this happened to you, but I can
assure you that attempted rape and assault with a deadly weapon charges will put
this boy away in Leavenworth for two to ten years.
“There’s one thing I would like to ask?”
“Go
ahead, Private Richards.”
“He
said my name, he said he knew everything about me, how is that?”
“He
worked in our records division at the in processing building.”
Chills
went up Liz’s spine. Just the thought of this crazy maniac knowing all her
personal information made her sick.
“We
contacted your husband’s commander; they’re allowing him a few days leave time
to fly down to be with you.”
Liz’s
eyes filled with tears as the realities of what had happened consumed her.
“Thank you, sergeant.”
“You
better thank yourself. If you wouldn’t have had the hair spray, you might be
dead right now.”
Liz was
taken back to her barracks accompanied inside by an MP. “You’re safe now
Private Richards.” The MP handed Liz his card, "If you think you may need
counseling to deal with this trauma, just contact our office.”
“Thank
you, but I think I’ll be alright.”
That night
Shameca tried her best to support and comfort Liz. Shameca couldn’t believe it
had happened. She had always felt safe on the base. It made them both realize
that you’re never really safe anywhere you go.
The
next day Calvin arrived. It was Friday and Liz was given a day off from school
to rest and regroup. Calvin approached her; wrapping his arms around her.
“Liz, why didn’t you tell me something was going on?”
“I
wasn’t really sure there was anything going on until I saw the blade at my
neck.”
“Thank
God you’re safe! You could have been killed! From this point on I’m going to
teach you fighting techniques so you’ll be better equipped.”
“Right
now all I care about is getting a room and spending the weekend with you holding
me.”
“Whatever you want, baby. I do have a bit of news that might cheer you up. My
commander pulled some strings and has requested that your permanent duty station
be Fort Bliss, so we can be together.”
“Calvin, that’s great! I really need that news right now.”
“I have
already put us on the base housing list, so hopefully by the time you get there
we’ll have our own place.”
Liz
kissed Calvin enjoying the warmth of his lips, feeling safe in his arms. “We
had better get going and get a room for the weekend.”
They
left the base in a cab headed for Savannah.
continued...