Soldier Up by Unknown

is your first name? Calling you by your rank seems so formal.” quizzed Mel.
                  “Anzio.” he simply stated.
                  “Do you mind if I call you that?”
                  “No not at all.”
                  “Why doesn’t John call you that? Seems sort of disrespectful he’s always calling you Dog.”
                  Anzio laughed, “We all have nick names what we used to do required anonymity and nick names were the best way to go, mine was and still is Dog.”
                  “Oh, well I still like Anzio better, what’s John’s?”
                  “Professor.”
                  Mel laughed, “Oh that’s good.”
                  Mel showed Anzio the door to the garage and she hugged him and let the men talk.  A few minutes later she heard some arguing from the two men with John finally stomping out of the garage, “Do you mind if I leave for a bit?”
                  “No not at all.” Mel responded.
                  John headed for the door and as Anzio walked by her he winked, “I’ll keep him busy.” She nodded and knew she had a wonderful day with the kids all to herself.  She loved her husband with all of her heart but having him hovering around all day sometimes just got on her nerves.
                  They took the Sergeant Major’s car and headed to Camp Parks which was about ten miles away.  Dog said he had something he had to show him; of course John was interested but felt was abandoning Mel.
                  It didn’t take long to get to Camp Parks which was a primarily an Army Reserve Post, but it still took either fulltime reserve, national guard or regular army folks to run the day-to-day operations.  Although Dog could show his ID to the gate guards and get in John couldn’t so he had to be signed in at the office. “Ok where were going?” John wanted to know.
                  “You have a meeting with the Battalion Commander.” Sergeant Major said.
                  “I have a what?” John asked. “I appreciate it dog but I told you I can’t do it.”
                  At that time the Sergeant Major made a phone call from his driver’s console, he had built in cell phone technology in his car, Mel answered, “Hi Anzio, what’s up?”
                  “It’s time.” Was all he said.
                  “Oh, ok….John I have no problem at all if you want to join the 19 th , I would be very proud.”
                  “There’s too much to do around the house and the kids.” Was his response.
                  “Bullshit.” she said quickly. “Listen to me; we will not be your crutch.  We have plenty of help around here and you know that.  You have done everything for us and more, you need to do something for yourself.  I listened to you talk about your time in the Army and your eyes light up like mine do when I talk about shoes.”
                  The shoe reference made him laugh, “Are you sure about this? It means I’ll be gone sometimes and could be for long periods especially if we’re deployed.”
                  “Well Professor let’s talk about it more when you get home, but for now know I’ve got your back if you want to join.”
                  When Mel mentioned “Professor” he gave dog a look that said if I could kill you now I would.  At the time when Mel called him that the Sergeant Major was taking a drink of coffee and almost spit it out his nose.
                  “Alright sweetheart,” John said. “I’ll hear them out.”
                  “Good, I’ll talk to you later, I love you.” She said.
                  “I love you too.” Then hung up.
                  “This was a set up wasn’t it?”