Jaime,
From as early as I can remember I knew I could fly.
I think my first memory ever was waking up starved to death,
drifting out of my bed and into the living room, asking my
mom for a bottle.
I don't think it was the first time I did it 'cause I
remember mom going to get the bottle and dad continuing to
watch T.V.
When I was four years old and about to enter my first year
in kinder garden, my parents sat me down for a talk. I
remember sitting down on my bed in my room and both mom and
dad had brought chairs in from the kitchen.
Naturally I was very curious, this has never happened
before.
They both sat in front of me, looking at me awkwardly and
then back at each other.
"Julie," my mom finally begun, "the reason daddy and I are
here is because we know you're a big girl, and there are
some things big girls should know."
I just sat there looking confused so my dad continued: "as
you know, in a few days you will be going to kinder garden.
But before you go, there is something you need to know."
He looked at my mother with pleading eyes, she eventually
cracked.
"Listen, Jules, you know how whenever you need something you
just fly out and get it?"
I got to say my first words in the conversation: "sure mom,
unless we go outside and then I need to hold your hand, so I
walk."
"Exactly!" my mom said relieved, "now, baby, I need you to
think really hard for a second, have you ever seen any other
kid fly?"
That one was a no brainer for me: "no, mom, 'cause they all
have to hold their mommy's and daddy's hands, or they get
smacked!"
"Good, honey," said my dad, "and do you know why that is?"
Coming to think about it I didn't.
"Well, that, Jewel, is because some things are private, and
must not be done outside, or to be known to those you are
not the closest with: mommy and daddy. One of those things
is flying."
All I can remember of the days to follow is a deep sadness,
I don't think I could have mourned more had I lost my teddy
bear, mikey.
But when I got to kinder garden I slowly got over it, after
seeing nobody else flew. And of course I talked to no one
about it, both 'cause my parents said I mustn't and 'cause I
figured all the other kids were as depressed as I was about
it but said nothing, and so I didn't want to be called a cry
baby.
I took comfort in the fact I was still allowed to fly around
the house, except for when we had company over.
Most of my years in school went fairly smoothly, except for
a couple of nasty close calls. One of them was on my second
year of primary: I was sitting in home class, with the worst
case ever of bladder overload. Finally, I could wait no more
and stormed out of class, not caring if I get yelled at
after I go. As long as I just GO already!
I look at both sides of the corridor and saw both sides of
it were empty, so I decided to make a fly for it.
Just before I got to the door I heard a loud squeaky "Hey!"
behind me. But I didn't care anymore so I went in. What was
the worst that could happen? I'll be told off.
And told off I was. Badly. I didn't get it... so I did
something everybody did, just not outside. But it was an
emergency! One I got grounded for for two months... nothing
as serious ever happened again.
Joining the military was never a question for me. I knew I
had to serve and I knew I wanted to serve as well, the
closest to combat the better!
So after I graduated from high school I was sent to boot
camp and later to a course for special operations sergeants.
I was ecstatic. Two months later I found myself in the 2nd
most dangerous sector in my country. I couldn't be happier.
For the first month, that is...
I found out I didn't get along with the people, and I missed
being able to fly. Nor did I believe ethically with the
nature of the work I had to do, namely, helping the enemy.
It was almost five months of misery.
The last straw came after the worst week I've ever had.
Anything that could go wrong, did.
Two nights before I was supposed to finally go home, I was
sitting alone in my room in the base, depressed beyond
reason.
I decided I was going to fly home, even if just for a few
hours. I'd be back before dawn and I didn't have another
shift scheduled till that afternoon.
I put on something warm and went outside.
I got out of the base alright, no one saw me.
I took to the air and felt the most breath taking best
feeling ever: the feeling of flying through open space for
the first time. I played around.
I swear I didn't know about the wedding down below.
I swear I didn't hear them shooting round to the air.
I swear!