My family swears I was a naval cadet and I dropped out. I was there, watching my brother get promoted… when his general looked me straight in the eye and asked, “Colonel… are you there?” The audience was stunned. My father stood frozen, a smile on his face.
The champagne I was holding was starting to warm up, but I didn’t dare put it down. Having something in my hands made me feel different. Around me, the auditorium of the United States Naval Academy sparkled with a thousand lights, echoed with the clinking of glasses, and the officers’ immaculate white uniforms gleamed.
« Ethan, stand up straight. Don’t embarrass your brother anymore, » my father hissed through gritted teeth, his eyes fixed on the scene where my brother Ryan stood, imposing like a Greek god, without looking at me.
« Yes, Dad, » I replied softly, adjusting the collar of my cheap shirt bought at Walmart.
In the eyes of this family, where three generations have served in the military, I’m a « stain. » Twelve years ago, I left the Naval Academy after only one year. The official reason: « I couldn’t handle the pressure. » My father, a senator and former Marine, hasn’t spoken to me in two years. Whenever he does, his words are bitter and sarcastic. My mother sighs, looking at me as if I were a piece of broken porcelain, beyond repair.
Today is a big day for Ryan. He’s been promoted to Commander (O-5) and will be taking command of the destroyer USS Milius. Ryan is the crowd favorite. And me? I’m Ethan, a college dropout who’s now a freelance consultant on long, unspecified assignments that my family thinks I’m avoiding because of debt or a drug addiction.
« Please take your seats, » announced the loudspeaker.
The ceremony began. Empty platitudes about patriotism, sacrifice, and honor echoed. My father applauded the loudest, his chest puffed out with pride. I stood in a dark corner of the auditorium, leaning against a marble pillar.
I looked at Ryan. He’d brought it on himself. Ryan was a good soldier, a good sailor. But he was a warrior of light. He knew nothing of the world of darkness.
The large doors at the far end of the hall opened abruptly. The atmosphere in the room changed instantly. The murmurs ceased.
A group of military police officers advanced, clearing the way with controlled brutality. Among them walked General Harrison Vance, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A living legend. This man rarely attended promotion ceremonies to the rank of lieutenant colonel like this one, unless he was the president’s son.
Ryan, on stage, was also momentarily stunned. My father opened his mouth, then quickly regained his composure, whispering to my mother, « He must have learned to respect me now. I used to campaign for his friend. »
General Vance stepped onto the platform. He didn’t smile. His face, marked by battle, was crisscrossed with scars. His gray eyes scanned the crowd like a targeting radar. He didn’t look at Ryan, nor at the officials who were bowing.
He walked straight down the aisle ahead of him, completely ignoring my father’s outstretched hand.
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