Sidelined

(1) Discharged

Ten years later

Bucky came out of his bathroom after taking a cool shower after coming in from PT. When he sat down to put on a new pair of socks. His cellphone began to ring he saw that it was his dad calling.

"Hey dad' he said as he put it on speaker phone.

"hey son. Listen I need you to go to your Colonel and ask him to get you discharged." James said

"What why?" Bucky said

"Because son your mama the cancer is spreading according to the doctor. She had an appointment this morning. He's giving her six months to a year son. You need to come home." James said

"Dad..I" he said

"Son..you will regret it the rest of your life if you don't come home and spend what little time she has left. You are her baby James." James said

"okay dad I will see what I can do." he said as he tied his boots.

"Call me or your grandpa if you need some back up." James said

"Okay dad love you." he said

Bucky hung up the phone. "Ugh I dont want to go back to Livingston. What if Taylor is there? How can I face her?' he thought to himself.

Meanwhile back in Livingston GA Taylor was in a conference room with some old class mates. It was a hot June afternoon they were the reunion comittee. They were discussing the upcoming reunion they were also sending out letters for old class mates to update their info.

Taylor was a English Lit teacher at their old highschool now she attended college at UNC once she graduated she returned home. After she was done with her meeting she went home to her house. Her grandmother left her little farmhouse to Taylor and the family farm to her twin brother Dylan.

Back in Fort Bliss Texas Bucky was awaiting for his Colonel to be done with his meeting. His secretary answered a phone.

"Sgt Major Barnes Colonel Thomas is ready to meet with you." she said

"Thank you." he said as he went to the door.

He saluted him when he came in. "Sgt Major what can I do for you?' Col. Thomas said

"I need to be discharged sir. My dad called earlier and said that the doctors are giving my mom six months to a year. She's been battling breast cancer for the past three years and its spreading. My family has asked that I come home to spend what little time she has with her." Bucky said

Col. Thomas pulled up Bucky's file. "Sgt Major Barnes. You have been apart of the military for ten years you have done four tours. I think you are well past a discharge. I will get with the pentagon to see if I can grant you this. So I will be in touch Sgt Major Barnes." Col Thomas said

"Thank you sir" Bucky said as he saluted him and left the office.

Two days later Bucky and Col. Thomas signed the papers. "Thank you for your service Sgt Major Barnes." Col. Thomas said as they shook hands.

"Thank you sir." Bucky said as he saluted him one last time and left his office.

Bucky began to pack his base house and load up his truck. He got a few hours of sleep then made the long drive home from Texas to Georgia. When he pulled into the small town where he grew up.

He shook his head. "Not much has changed around here." as he made his way through to his parents house.

James met him as he pulled in. James hugged him as he got out of his truck.

"It's good to see you my boy." James said

"Dad..you seen me three months ago when you all flew out for my 29th birthday." Bucky said as he hugged him.

"I know but you dont ever come home." James said as he helped him with his bags and boxes.

"Yeah I know." he said as they made their way inside.

Once he got settled back into his old room he found his mom what use to her old office which had been turned into hospice room. She hugged him so tight as she cried. "It took me dying to get your ass back here." she said

"Sorry mama..you know I was deployed alot and stuff. But I'm here now.." he said as tears welled in his eyes.

He spent the rest of the night in that room till she fell asleep. Once she was asleep he went up to his room got himself ready for bed and went to sleep.