The Storm

responded. “Henry and his whole team.” I screamed at Gunny and again said “YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME, GUNNY!” I couldn’t believe my ears. “Do I look like I’m kiddin'?” Gunny responded coldly. Henry just sat there. It was surreal. I was stunned and looked back and forth between the two men sitting next to me. They both just sat there like it was nothing. I’ve never heard of such madness! Expressionless, they both just looked at me and glanced at each other briefly and back to me, like it was no big deal. What was I missing here? Henry spoke up, “Calm down, Son, and let Gunny explain.” I didn’t want it to be explained! It made no sense to me! It was crazy, stupid, insane, unbelievable, and beyond reason! There was no way that what I just heard could be explained away and be justified. I was shocked, that Henry could just sit there and not take out Gunny right now! I was in the company of two half-crazed, war-weary soldiers that had lost their minds! But I knew better from just being around them the short time we had together. After my crazy fit, I calmed down and composed myself in an attempt to have the unexplained explained to me. “Do you want to hear the rest of the story, or storm out of here like a little offended, oversensitive, girly man?” Gunny asked me in gruffy tone. I was shamed double-time and was surprised at my reaction as a reporter and a journalist. I knew from this, that I had not responded as a professional reporter, and I felt small compared to these seasoned warriors sitting in front of me. I choked out the words, “Okay, Gunny. Talk to me.”

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