took the midnight train

[jordanshephard]

Okay.

[peytonsokolowski-blog]

jordanshephard:

Not illegal, maybe, but frowned upon. We really did just burst in. It was on a documentary once. They fought really hard to not include it, but it made the cut anyway. We had film crews come with us sometimes. Well…sure, but being used to it doesn’t mean it’s okay. You’re not by yourself anymore though. I know it’s not really…all that much, but you’ve got me. Oh, you’re part time. Okay, that makes sense. Well…just think about it, I guess. Maybe a trip could be kind of good for everyone, I don’t know. Texas is alright. Hot. But alright.

What...do they have film crews there for? Doesn’t that seem...unnecessarily dangerous to do that? Like, is any video worth that level of danger? Hey, no it...it means a lot, y’know? You like helping sometimes with Caid and all is...it means a lot. He’s like...never had anyone but me so. It’s...it’s good. Yeah, it’s...really hard to find full time work when you have no experience...no college degree...no skills...and a child to raise. So, just...yeah. I have a few part time things that make ends meet. No, I do agree. It would really be awesome, especially for Caiden. He’d love it, I bet.

[jordanshephard]

Okay.

[peytonsokolowski-blog]

jordanshephard:

Well it’s…it’s not what you’re thinking. We used to do it a lot overseas. Sometimes, if the firefights got too hot, we’d ram down some doors and take shelter. Sometimes it had families inside. I mean…yeah, she was. We never blew up because she hit a roadside bomb, which is always a plus. No though, she did well. I…guess, but so are my parents. But I just…my parents would do anything for me or my sister, I think. I don’t know, I’m sorry. I don’t…I don’t think I can really help with all that. I mean…they should. Isn’t that a thing most businesses do? I was just…in the military all my life, I don’t really know.

Oh. That’s like...I don’t know that that really counts as illegal. That’s a whole different ballgame out there. That’s...good. At least...yeah. She was doing good stuff, so it’s...yeah. Hey, no it’s like. It’s fine, you know. It is what it is and Caid and I...we’re used to being on our own, so it’s okay. Um. Businesses that hire full time people and have benefits would probably have that. A place like this where I’m just part time? Nah. I don’t have any benefits or...really anything other than a paycheck for rent. Sometimes free pizza.

[jordanshephard]

Okay.

[peytonsokolowski-blog]

jordanshephard:

Oh…oh no…no, those are big rules. I can’t…I can’t enter someone’s place without – wait no. I’ve done that before. Kaylyn was a Lance Corporal. Three ranks under me. It’s basically like a Private, but you’re supposed to show some level of leadership. Like…you’re kind of the baseline for the new recruits, right? You show them what’s supposed to go on as a Lance Corporal. But she wasn’t…well. She wasn’t really fit to command a full squad, she didn’t have the temperament. She drove the trucks though, mostly. Carted all of us around and shot the shi – the stuff a lot with a lot of the newer people. Knew better than to start in with Sarah though. Me too, even, sometimes. That’s…really? That’s…kind of crappy, Peyton. I mean…for all intents and purposes, he is your child. Well, you should get paid vacation, right? And it’s…well, you wouldn’t have to pay for anything in Texas.

Wait, you’ve done that before? Look at you, rulebreaker. Huh. Yeah, that...seems kind of like. Right for her. She wasn’t...much of the leader type. She always really...did her own sort of thing. Trucks. Was she...good at it? Driving and stuff? ...yeah. It’s pretty crappy. Nothing I can do about it, though. They’re...sort of coming around a little more on it, since clearly it’s not going to change. But, they’re...old school deep South kind of people, y’know? So, it’s just...not something easy for them to accept. Hah. I work at a shitty bar and a like two star pizza joint. I don’t think they do paid vacations there.

[jordanshephard]

Okay.

[peytonsokolowski-blog]

jordanshephard:

Isn’t that just…just standing somewhere for a long time? I just…I mean, it’s a good idea, but I think I’d rather…be moving, maybe. Oh, I mean…yeah, I did. I didn’t want to leave the Marines at all, but…well. I got shot, so that kind of ruined it. But I mean…what is it you want to know? I was a Staff Sergeant before I was discharged, which meant I was under the commanding officer’s thumb, but was responsible for the unit itself? So I commanded the unit, and the Master Sergeant, generally, Sarah – who you met, commanded me. Don’t…approve of what though? If – if you don’t mind talking about it. Well…why don’t you request some time off around Christmas, maybe. We could go to Texas. Mom would love the company. She likes to cook. She’s…not all that great, but she likes to try. You could meet my sister too.

Yeah, kind of. It seemed like the tamest way to break a rule. We could do some like breaking an entering. Maybe lift something off a store. Oh, yeah...right that..yeah. I guess that...sorta ruins...plans a bit there. I don’t know, though. Like...I guess what...hm. What rank was Kaylyn? What...did she even like...really do out there? Oh, no I don’t really mind. They - well, they never like Kaylyn from the start. That was...always a point of contention. Then I guess...when she came back pregnant that...was sort of the last straw for them. They didn’t want to support raising a kid that wasn’t...well, mine necessarily. It is what it is. Hah, time off. That would be amazing, but...I really don’t get time off. I can’t afford it.

[jordanshephard]

Okay.

[peytonsokolowski-blog]

jordanshephard:

A little rule? What qualifies as a little rule, anyway. I just..I don’t know. I was never an officer. Not…not really high ranking anyway. I made Sergeant, but I always had other people telling me what to do. Yeah, that’s no problem. I’ll ask her next time I see her. Your…why don’t your parents invite you back home? I’m sure you could go to Texas, if you like. We’ve got plenty of horses and…general farm life back there. If you want the full experience.

Mmmm, I don’t know. We could go loiter or something. That’s a little enough rule. Did you like...want to go higher in the ranks? I don’t...totally know how all that works. Kay...she never talked much about it. Awesome, yeah, just...let me know, I’ll try and get some time off so we can go. Um. They...we had a falling out, I guess. They didn’t...care much for me dating Kaylyn and...especially didn’t approve of me staying with her after...well, you know. They’re trying, just...they don’t...really approve, I guess. But, gosh, I couldn’t even if that sounds amazing. I can barely get two hours off work, let alone time for a vacation.

[jordanshephard]

Okay.

[peytonsokolowski-blog]

jordanshephard:

Yeah, but it’s…it’s hard to break a habit you’ve had your whole life that was…the essence of the life you lead? I know that sounds dramatic but just…you don’t break rules in the military. Yeah? Okay. Uh, I do a lot of work for Miss Riley on the ranch up that way? I work with the horses. I bet I could ask and see if she’d let us go up and ride them or a bit. Just a mile or so, maybe less. We had horses too. They were great for getting places on the farm. And pulling stuff.

No, that totally makes sense. Some things go from being habits to just being a lifestyle and that’s nearly impossible to get away from. We’ll try, though. Get you to break a little rule sometime. It’ll be good for you. Yeah? That sounds good. Caid...hasn’t ever been actually, so I bet he’d have a really good time with it. My parents...well, they don’t really ever invite us to visit back home, so. He’s never been around horses. 

[jordanshephard]

Okay.

[peytonsokolowski-blog]

jordanshephard:

I – I don’t do so well with breaking rules. I’ve been…rules are what drove me for a long time. You don’t break them in the Marines. Ever. Okay! Uh…well. Do you like to go horseback riding?

Well, you’re not there anymore right? So, you can totally break a few now. Might even be good for you. But, it’s never good for you Caiden. Rules are very important for little dudes. Horseback riding? Yeah, actually I used to go a lot when I was little. We lived right next to a ranch. It’s super fun.

[jordanshephard]

Okay.

[peytonsokolowski-blog]

jordanshephard:

Well, I…I don’t know. I didn’t really grow up in a tourist town. I grew up with more farms than buildings so I don’t really know the ah…etiquette here. We can go though, if you wanted. When you’re off next we can go…oh, I don’t know. Somewhere you’ve always wanted. Or, I’d be happy to watch Caid while you go by yourself or with a couple of friends or…well. Whatever, really. I haven’t been in once since I’ve gotten back. I always feel weird going in by myself. 

I don’t think there really is an etiquette. I think you just kind of...you know, go check stuff out and if they say go away that’s fine. That sounds fun, though. We could all go together, take this guy if he’s up to it. I don’t know what I’d want to go see, but...I’m open to anything.

[jordanshephard]

Okay.

[peytonsokolowski-blog]

jordanshephard:

Really? Never? Are…are you not allowed to go in? Like…anyone? But yeah, I’ve noticed. I like downtown. The bars and stuff are really cool even though…well. I’m not much of a bar person.

I...don’t actually know. I mean, you can always just sort of...go up there and see, right? I work too much to get out and see stuff. And when I do get out it’s to like. Chuck E Cheese. There’s a lot of good bars, though, definitely. They get fun.

[jordanshephard]

Okay.

[peytonsokolowski-blog]

jordanshephard:

Well…nothing in particular, to be honest. I was just kind of walking around to see what I could find. I found this. Haven’t gone in though.

Never been in myself, so I can’t comment on whether it’s cool or not, but. It’s a neat city.

[jordanshephard]

Okay.

[peytonsokolowski-blog]

jordanshephard:

Same, really. I had some time off so I figured…well. Might as well see what’s here.

What are you sightseeing today?

[jordanshephard]

Okay.

[peytonsokolowski-blog]

jordanshephard:

Oh, hi. Hi Caid. What are you guys up to?

We’re just walking around. What about you?

[jordanshephard]

Okay.

[peytonsokolowski-blog]

jordanshephard:

So that’s what that is.

Hey, Jordan.

[jordanshephard]

Oh god...okay.

[peytonsokolowski-blog]

jordanshephard:

I know. I mean, I know you have it under control. But I don’t mind doing it. He might even like hanging out with us for a while. We can think up something fun to do. 

Oh, I’m sure he would have a blast, but I really can’t ask you to do that. It’s...that’s a lot to ask. 

[jordanshephard]

Oh god...okay.

[peytonsokolowski-blog]

jordanshephard:

I mean…I can pick Caid up for you, if you want? Me and Sarah can watch him till you get home. We’ll feed him too. So that’s like…one less thing, if you’d like.

Oh, you don’t have to do that, honestly it’s like. Totally all fine. I have it like...all under control.

[jordanshephard]

Oh god...okay.

[peytonsokolowski-blog]

jordanshephard:

How long of a break do you get? Here.

Ugh. Like. Half an hour. I do seven to three at the pizza place. Then I do four to twelve at Beefs. And I usually have to pick up Caid from school at three, so like. I get him, take him to the sitter and...yeaah. It’s a long day?

[jordanshephard]

Oh god...okay.

[peytonsokolowski-blog]

jordanshephard:

Hey. Do you…do you want to sit?

...you know, yeah. Yeah, I can for like...a few minutes, maybe. Before I have to go back out to work...