Curvy Girls Can’t Date Soldiers by Kelsie Stelting
Six
Nadira
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Dear Nadira,
That costume must have been really good to inspire an entire career. Once you’re a famous astronaut or start a new colony on Mars, I’ll brag and say I knew you before you got famous. But, you know, not in the Challenger, Christa McAuliffe way.
As for me, my story of how I decided to join the Air Force isn’t quite as interesting. I played football in high school, and I was an offensive tackle. Basically, my entire job was to block guys who tried to get our running back and take hits for him if I could.
I wasn’t amazing or anything, not good enough for a college scholarship, but I loved playing football. Mostly because I loved being part of a team. When we were out on the field, it was all about the game. There wasn’t any drama about who was dating who or who had the best car in the parking lot. We all worked toward the same goal, putting the good of the team above ourselves.
Then an Air Force recruiter came to the school and talked to our class, and without even knowing me, he spoke to everything I loved about football, but in a military context. I’d been planning to study engineering in college, and when they told me about ROTC and helped connect me with the ROTC program at Brentwood U, everything just fell into place. I don’t believe in coincidences. I was meant to be here, doing what I’m doing.
Added bonus, I have a guaranteed job after graduation and no student loans. Grandpa promised to pay for my college if I went to Brentwood U, so that made him happy that the bill was already taken care of. My mom wasn’t as thrilled though. I think she heard military and immediately thought war and saw me dying in battle. She got so mad she hasn’t talked to me since I started at BU... I’m hoping she comes around someday.
How do your parents feel about you being an aerospace engineer? Not worried about rocket ship explosions?
V/r,
Apollo
PS - Wow, you are absolutely beautiful. Are you sure you want to slum it emailing with a guy like me?
I read over his words, drinking them in like a thirsty woman in the desert. Compliments? Nice conversation? I’d take it. And then when it came to the last line, I couldn’t help but smile. So this was what it felt like, having a guy think you’re beautiful?
No one but my parents or friends had ever called me that. And for him to think I was “slumming it” with him? It gave me a strange, heady rush. Sure, he thought I looked like Tatiana, but this relationship was virtual. For fun. He could picture her while getting to know me. The real me, not the me he expected after seeing my looks.
I tapped reply on the email and started typing.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Dear Apollo,
I don’t play sports, but when you explain football like that, you make it sound way more endearing than a bunch of guys in tight pants crashing into each other. Who knew you were a poet? I’m on the Mathlete team, and even though we play as a team, it’s really an individual game. And the drama never stops. There’s this girl who wanted to be captain instead of me, so she’s always trying to score more points than me to prove she’s better than I am. Funnily enough, it just helps everyone win.
My mom’s the academic type, so she’s really happy I’m going the engineering route. My dad always says what makes me happy makes him happy. As long as I’m trying my hardest and excelling in what I’m interested in, he’s okay with that.
I’m really sorry about your mom. If she’s afraid to lose you, cutting you off like that seems counterproductive. Like she’s wasting the limited time she thinks she has left. I know it’s not that simple, though. Are you close to your dad or grandpa? Siblings maybe? I bet it’s lonely being ina new town without anyone to talk to. It’s going to be weird for me going to school out of state next year. I’m worried about what it will feel like to be alone.
Sincerely,
Nadira
PS – Thank you, but I’m definitely not “slumming it” with you. :)
Soon after I sent the message, a soft knock sounded on my door. I looked up to see my dad peeking his head into my room.
“Hey!” I said, sitting up. “I feel like haven’t seen you in weeks!”
“These tournaments are tough stuff.” He came in and gave me a hug, then sat on my bed.
“How’d the games go?” I asked.
He shrugged, rubbing his hands over his face. He looked tired but excited at the same time. “We placed third in the tournament. Not bad. I’m hoping we can improve by the time the conference tournament comes up.”
“I’m sure you will.” I drew my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them and the blanket.
“We got a call from Mr. Aris about the trip to MIT.” He rubbed my forearm. “That’s amazing, Dir!”
My lips spread into an easy smile. “I’m definitely not turning down another visit to Cambridge.”
“This is what it’s all about. You be the best and surround yourself with the best, and you’ll be amazed at how far you go.”
His words made my heart beat faster, and I imagined he had the same motivational effect on his players. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Any time.” He stood from the bed. “I need to go say hi to the boys. Make sure they get off the video games.” He began walking away, then paused in the doorway. “Oh, and thanks for helping Mom with her research project.”
I smiled and shrugged. “It’s not that big of a deal.” Especially considering who I got to message for a month.
“It is,” he replied. “You’re an amazing young woman.”
I didn’t quite feel amazing, but I settled back into my bed as he left, and I fell asleep dreaming of the handsome guy in front of the American flag, entering into a fantasy world where he could someday be mine.
