were ideally suited for someone seeking solitude and exercise. Jeremy spent many lonely hours hiking among the pines and oaks that abound in the Presidio. His daily exercise routine became an important part of his rehabilitation. Jeremy was convinced that he could only regain his health and mental stability, if he adhered to a stringent exercise program. He awoke every morning at 05:00 hours to the sorrowful sounds of the foghorns. The foghorns were very audible in the inner bay area, and each had a distinct, yet comforting sound to them, their mournful wails echoing like ancient creatures calling for help. Jeremy would often fantasize of a long ago past when prehistoric dinosaurs roamed this angelic location; bellowing love messages across the bay. The foghorns were simultaneously melodious, hypnotic, alluring and also annoying.
Grant walked and exercised along the many paths for two hours, before returning to his quarters. His route would take him down from the hospital, along the seashore by Crissy Field, and up to the Golden Gate exit and back. Grant had come to like the solitude and regularly visited the military cemetery. He was fascinated by the tombstones and almost came to wish he could also be buried among the trees overlooking this magnificent bay. If one had to die, this had to be the spot that funeral directors dreamed of. Jeremy was envious of the soldiers who were stationed here on a permanent basis. What a cushy duty, he thought to himself.
He made it a point to try and find new and interesting trails. Jeremy was particularly fond of the solitude, stillness and awesome beauty. Grant was always amazed by the diverse and changing weather patterns in San Francisco. The city had air quality that no other city of the world could match. The fog would suddenly and silently roll in from the west side of the Golden Gate Bridge and smother everyone into its fold. Just as suddenly the fog would blow away, and the entire bay would be covered with a brilliant sunshine. This almost daily routine was part of the San Francisco charm that he had grown to love. He was not always fond of its citizens, but the city’s charm could overpower just about any negative feelings he encountered. It was this strange and ever-changing environment that attracted so many tourists to this city by the Bay. However, many of the unsuspecting tourists were often caught unprepared by the city’s fickle weather patterns.
Jeremy had been following this strict and regimented program for over ten days when he received a request from CPT De Faut to come in for a check up. CPT Grant showed up punctually and knocked on her office door.
“Come in,” she said.
“Good morning, CPT Grant. Well, captain, how do you feel?” questioned CPT De Faut.
“Well Doc, I feel pretty good, as a matter of fact, I am ready to leave this ‘puzzle palace’ and get back to real soldiering,” CPT Grant answered, his voice rising in excitement.
“Well, CPT Grant. I am thoroughly disappointed that you can’t wait to get out of here, and abandon me to these damn Yankees! CPT De Faut, shot back, her eyes wide in mock horror. But as you know, your system suffered an immense shock, and I am afraid your days of soldiering are probably over,” CPT De Faut stated.
“What do you mean, over? Like discharge, maybe?” CPT Grant inquired.
“I am afraid so, captain, your shoulder will probably never get better again, and you would greatly benefit from a long home R&R (Rest and Recuperation) leave. You currently have over a dozen rare and potentially dangerous intestinal parasites, malaria, scurvy, etc. Not to mention your shoulder, and foot damage. I am going to recommend you for an immediate Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) hearing, and if they concur, a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) hearing with a medical discharge,” stated CPT De Faut with emphasis.
Jeremy looked at her in silence, too stunned to reply.
“You may think that you are healthy, but you have a long way to go. Additionally, you need to be among people and restore human contact with our society, but most important of all, you need to get laid,” Loretta said with a sexy smile.
Grant’s initial reaction was one of shock and amazement. Never in his wildest dreams had he contemplated leaving the Army. He was shocked and disappointed. He was so stunned in fact that he didn’t even hear her “laid” remark. He developed a temporary, but intense dislike for Loretta, and blamed her for his current woes. He was somewhat amazed at her direct line of questioning.
Loretta purposely stared at him, trying to assess his reaction to this new development. Jeremy stared back, and carefully analyzed the situation and after a few minutes of clear thinking he came to the conclusion that he could not possibly blame CPT De Faut for his bad luck. Shit happens, he thought.
“You also need to be among people and get laid,” CPT De Faut repeated, her eyes boldly staring at him with anticipation, hoping that the young captain would finally get the hint.
Jeremy was initially shocked by her statement, but quickly grasped the meaning of her direct line of questioning.
“Laid, did you say?” Grant asked, his eyebrows raising in mocked horror.
“You heard me, captain. You are so uptight, and frustrated by L.O.P.s, that you are about to pop your cork,” Loretta said in a firm, but insistent voice.
“L.O.P.s? What in the hell is that?” Jeremy asked, not wanting to appear too stupid.
“Why, I declare, CPT Grant, a world traveler like yourself doesn’t even know what L.O.P. stands for,” smirked Loretta, her lips grinning from ear to ear.
“Lack of pussy, you dummy. Oh, dear me, you do know what that is, don’t you?” Her eyes rolling in feigned amazement.
“And here I thought you were a southern belle, a fine lady. Maybe you are right, doctor! Any takers?” answered Jeremy in his best Rhett Butler imitation.
Although the thought of leaving his beloved Army made him sick, the idea of being a mere civilian again made him gasp in repulsion. He had devoted eight long years to the service of his country, and had never even thought of someday taking a civilian job. What would he do? Where would he go? All of these thoughts whizzed through his head like a runaway freight train. The thought of going home suddenly became a pleasant memory.
“Hey, yo! Helllooo, I am here,” yelled Loretta from across the room.
Jeremy slowly looked up and carefully admired this beautiful woman. He began to realize that Loretta was flirting with him. For the first time, he couldn’t help but notice that the beautiful captain was openly coming on to him. He glanced up at her and admired her two greatest points of interests. It was the first time in months that he noticed a visible stirring in his loins. The harder he stared at her breasts, the more excited he got.
She finally said, “Well one thing’s for sure, your eyesight hasn’t suffered any.”
Jeremy actually felt himself blush and was forced to look away.
“I am sorry, ma’am, he said in his best Rhett Butler imitation again, I didn’t know you were a lady in distress. However, I must confess that I am one of those damn Yankees you are referring to” Jeremy answered, a wide grin smeared across his face.
“You mean to tell me that you are from the northern half of our glorious country? I could have sworn you were a southern gentleman,” she mockingly yelled at him.
“Yup, that’s me, guilty as sin,” Grant laughed “Doesn’t the name Grant have a familiar ring to it? You guessed it, my great-great-great grandfather was General Ulysses S. Grant.”
Jeremy wasn’t sure whether he should mention this fact to Loretta.
CPT
