Graduation Week

     Twelve weeks down and now only one to go! Eighty days down and now only seven to go. Out of all the feelings I had been having during this journey a feeling came over me that I had not felt in a long time... Excitement! The now "Marines" get a phone call on the last Sunday before graduation. The letter I received said I would get the long-awaited phone call between the hours of one and four. I had my phone beside me all day constantly waiting for the call from Hunter and to hear his voice for the first time in twelve weeks. Patiently waiting turned into not so patiently waiting. At 3:40, twenty minutes before the closing time, I received a phone call from an unknown number in Beaufort, South Carolina.

     I answered with a soft "Hello" with nervousness taking over me. He answered back with, "Maggie, its Hunter." I knew who he was though. He only had five minutes to say what he wanted to say. I froze. He was in the middle of telling me that he was finally done and that he could not wait to see me in only four more days. The only thing I said was, "Hunter, do you have hair?" He chuckled and said, "Yes. I have hair." He said he had to go that people were behind him waiting in line to use the phone. "I will see you Thursday. I miss and love you so much!" It was not much but I loved every second of it.

     Tuesday. Two days until I see Hunter for the first time eighty-six days and one day until me, my mom, dad, and brother leave for South Carolina. I was at track practice excitedly telling my teammates that I was leaving the following day to finally see Hunter when I get an unexpected phone call from my mom. My Dad was being rushed to the emergency room from work. He had a heart attack. I immediately left practice and rushed to the emergency room. My dad was doing fine by the time my mom and I arrived at the hospital. The doctor's ran the tests and said everything seemed okay and that he could be released Friday afternoon. My heart sank. That was the day of graduation. I definitely did not want to miss that but I definitely was not leaving my dad in a hospital bed. 

     Thursday. I was supposed to be at Parris Island right then getting ready to watch the "Motivational Run" but instead I was sitting with my dad in Holston Valley Hospital. Around 11:00 I received a call from Hunter. He understood why I was not there and to tell dad that he was praying for him. I assured him I would be at the graduation. Late Thursday night my brother showed up to stay with Dad over night and check him out in the morning. My mom and I took off to hurry and make it to Parris Island. We drove for what felt like an eternity because  I was so excited to see him. 

    Friday. I woke up in a hotel and drove five minutes until I saw the sign that said "Parris Island, South Carolina. We Make Marines." I was so excited. I had finally made it. The sign I have been wanting to see since January. "Now, where is Hunter?" I thought.