Andrea by Robert Algeri

Author:Robert Algeri
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Publication Consultants

Chapter 8

Andrea

My unit deploys tomorrow for my first major winter training exercise. It’s been on our schedule for two months now so the date is engrained in my mind— Monday, November 30, 1981, we fly north on C-130s at 0700 hours out of Elmendorf AFB.

This is what I came to Alaska for from a military perspective—being immersed into wilderness for the first time, hundreds of miles from society, with just the gear and each other, squad to platoon.

Saturday morning the CQ on duty gave me a message that came in late Friday evening for me, it was time stamped at 11:22 p.m. and it was from Mona.

My heart bounces, my blood is moving as I read her message, “Try to be downtown on 4th or 5th Ave this Sunday morning between 9:45 a.m. to about 12:00 p.m., hope to catch you there, mona/fish.”

Being downtown Anchorage early Sunday mornings is one of my favorite times to be there, I enjoy the solitude while walking, especially down on the trail that runs along the railroad tracks. The views out over the mud flats across Cook Inlet toward the southern reaches of the Alaskan mountain range are spectacular.

Today as I look out over the water, Sleeping Lady is reminding me of a love that hasn’t been found yet. Her melancholic serenity wraps its arms around me as I walk. Is there really anyone that can hold us tight in life, I wonder, or is it an illusion?

I would love to bump into “Mona.” I am in anguish not knowing whether we will connect today or not. I need to hear her friendly voice today, those soothing tones of seduction.

It’s 9:05 a.m. when I decide to wander up off the waterfront, meandering through Anchorage on this lovely Sunday morning, try to find some food to eat, maybe somewhere I haven’t tried yet, someplace new to me.

I stay walking on 4th Ave, alternating walking on both sides of the street, when I decide to walk into the Army Navy Store and look around for about ten minutes. I come out and walk past a lot of small bars and groups of people already gathering on corners.

I cross over to look at a statue of Atlas holding up the world on top of the Fur Factory building, when I see a small diner called White Spot Cafe right next door.

Not sure if I noticed this place before, so I decide to check out their food this morning. I like the little booth style tables, so I tuck into one of them instead of sitting up at the counter. I see what I want right away on the menu. I am going with the reindeer sausage omelet today, and chocolate milk or tomato juice, maybe both.

I have a small glimpse past the counter area out onto W.4th Ave and, as I am waiting for my food, I see a familiar person walking past on the other side of the street.

It’s her, that’s “Mona” who just walked by. I jump up and tell the counter girl I will be right back.

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