Brandon is 39, Ilila is 38, Jude and Brooklyn are 8; Audrey is 5
narrated by Brandon
I sighed again and wished that I didn't have to have this conversation with my family.
It was a part of being in the military, but it didn't make things easier.
I tried to explain that daddy was going away for a while because of work and that they would have to be good for mommy.
I could tell Ilila was trying not to cry and put on a strong face during the conversation. Our earlier conversation went much differently when I told her the news.
We were at war and the battle had gotten so fierce that they were calling soldiers from Apple Valley. I, along with the Officer Lainey Herendez and Officer Verde Herendez would be going to the battlefield to lend our expertise.
I couldn't help but think that this deployment was more punishment for my decision years ago. When I was an officer, I had quietly pardoned the General's son. Well, during a routine investigation and disposition news broke about about my involvement. I had to pay a fine of $10,000 which was better than being unhonorable discharged, but my family had to take a loan to cover the fine.
We're now broke and the news of my deployment doesn't make things better.
After I told the children about the deployment things rapidly changed in our house. Jude became more sensitive to everything
even the games he used to play with his sister would cause him to burst into tears and leave Audrey so confused.
Then the girls' grades dropped. Drastically.
We've been on top of them with homework and studying
and it seems to be making a difference.
Especially since we said no more ballet or TV until homework is done. It broke my heart to see the girls get up early to struggle with homework before catching the bus,
but Ilila was much better at getting things turned around with them. They're smart girls, but children respond to news of deployment differently.
I feel awful for the situation that I am leaving my family in. Broke, poor grades, over sensitive feelings and Ilila being a single parent. Especially since I don't know if I will even come back. That part is never guaranteed.
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ROS: War
Brandon got an unlucky chance card as well and cost the family $10,000. They now have less than $500 in their family funds.
Posts
This is such a beautiful family, I am so sorry they are having a rough time. You really described some of the repercussions of a family dealing with a deployment. And how frustrating to have improved their grades and then have it get hard again to maintain them. Jude, Brooklyn, and Audrey are all so cute!
ReplyDeleteThey are such cute kids. At some point Brandon and the other military sims needed to be deployed or at least move around to another base. It was only a matter of time unfortunately. Thanks for reading and commenting.
DeleteAw, man, what an ROS. I can imagine this will have far-reaching effects across the hood. :\ I hope Ilila and the children can cope while Brandon is away. What a difficult time for them!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, it's actually a hood wide ROS so there are a lot of trickle down effects on the other families. Thanks for reading and commenting.
DeleteIf I remember correctly, in that chance card, somebody won't come back. I feel so sorry for the kids especially.
ReplyDeleteI modified this ROS so that I roll to see if a) everyone survives, b) how many don't survive and c) how long the war is. I won't reveal what happens of course, but you will see soon. Thanks for reading and commenting.
DeleteAh the war ROS, I haven't gotten that one yet, I hope that Brandon comes back, how tragic if he didn't, with his family, and I hope they get better off financially soon, that's very low money in their account. Poor kids, must be so hard.
ReplyDeleteThings are not looking that great for this family, hopefully it will get better. Thanks for reading and commenting
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