[Messages between Carolina and York, sent in early June]
[Message to York] >> Hey >> You busy?
[Text Message to Carolina] >> Not really >> What’s up?
[Message to York] >> I know I'm going to miss your birthday while I'm away >> So I wanted to give you your present now >> And talk to you about a few things
[Text Message to Carolina] >> You didn’t have to get me anything for my birthday >> Birthdays are really only a big deal to kids >> That being said >> Whaadidya get me??
[Message to York] >> I know >> Which is why I figured you’d make a big deal out of anyone missing it >> It’s not much >> So don’t expect something extravagant
[Text Message to Carolina] >> It’s not a car? >> I was expecting a car, Carolina.
[Message to York] >> Funny >> No, it’s not a car >> I spent all of fifteen minutes on it >> So you better appreciate it
[Text Message to Carolina] >> I’ll appreciate the shit out of it >> For fifteen minutes
[Message to York] >> That’s sweet of you >> I figured it wouldn’t last five
[Text Message to Carolina] >> You know my attention span so well
[Message to York] >> I do >> Which is why I know you didn’t pay attention to anything other than ‘present’
[Text Message to Carolina] >> Was this some kind of distraction?
[Message to York] >> Of course it was >> What do you think?
[Text Message to Carolina] >> You never waste words. >> So, what’s really up?
[Message to York] >> I’m headed out soon >> You never know what’s going to happen over there >> Better than anyone >> So I’m getting things ready just in case
[Text Message to Carolina] >> I never know better than anyone?
>> ...I see. >> Are we making amends for something?
[Message to York] >> Maybe I am
>> I’m sorry, York >> For everything I put you through >> Both in Annapolis and in the desert
[Text Message to Carolina] >> Stop, Lina >> Just stop >> You don’t have to be sorry for anything
[Message to York] >> I know I don’t have to be >> Which is why I wanted you to know >> Just in case
>> Anyway >> That’s most of what I wanted to talk to you about
[Text Message to Carolina] >> I really, really hate “just in case” >> There is no “just in case” >> You’re coming home when this assignment is over >> You hear me?
[Message to York] >> I know I am >> Marines never leave a man behind >> But that doesn’t mean I won’t be covered in a flag when I do >>I sat beside twelve flags last time I came home >> I don’t want to do that again
[Text Message to Carolina] >> You better not be
[Message to York] >> York… >>And people say I’m too damn stubborn >> I also talked to Dan >> He agreed to delay our divorce until after I’m discharged again
[Text Message to Carolina] >> What?
[Message to York] >> What do you mean what?
[Text Message to Carolina] >> You and Dan are giving it a go?
[Message to York] >> What? >> No. >> God, no. >> I’d kill him before the end of the first month >> Hell, I still might
[Text Message to Carolina] >> But you’re not getting divorced?
[Message to York] >> Not yet >> We’re going to stay married until I’m out of the Corps >> At least on paper >> We’re not moving in or anything >> But he offered to give my death benefits to Wash >> And if something happens, he’ll be notified first >> So you don’t have to track down my sob father to find out what happened to me
[Text Message to Carolina] >> I dont I can’t You’re not going to >> Ok.
[Message to York] >> Good >> I figured you would understand >> Besides, I don’t want a divorce to mess up my clearance >> As long as Dan doesn’t mess up those interviews, I should be able to stay at Pendleton
[Text Message to Carolina] >> Yeah, makes sense.
[Message to York] >> I never thought I'd be doing this again >> Then again, I'd never thought of leaving in the first place >> I guess life's funny that way
[Text Message to Carolina] >> Things never go as we hope expect them to
[Message to York] >> No >> They don't >> Especially when it came to us >> Also >> I'd rather not leave my weapons on base >> Think we could trade rides for a bit?
[Text Message to Carolina] >> No problem >> Swing by my place after work?
[Message to York] >> Got it >> And thanks, York >> I’ll see you soon