Jessica

I met Jessica yesterday.  She is a cute 22 year old girl from a small town in Texas.  I  only talked to her for a hour but feel like I've known her for much longer.  Jessica told me stories of the small town in Texas that is not even on the map.  I learned how she dropped out of college to join the ARMY.  I listened to the passion for her job as a vehicle supply troop.  I heard the hint of anger in her voice when she told me she has been in Iraq for 12 months. We teased each other.  She said so how do you like it in the Chair Force ? (Army's little nickname for us.) I called her a ground pounding bullet sponge. I will never forget that laugh.

  I held her hand troughout this conversation.  Jessica was hit by a Humvee and drug for 300 feet.  Her body was bloodied and broken.  I did the best I could to stop the bleeding and support her broken limbs with the Army medic on that long ambulance ride to the combat hospital.  When we backed up to the hospital emergency room Jessica was unconcious.   I do not know if she is alive or dead.  She did nothing to anybody.  Why am I here?