Ted tugged down on the hem of his jacket, amazed it still fit. He stood before the vertical mirror attached to the wall in his bedroom and admired the brass buttons that stood out against the brown cloth. A beige tie sat atop the dresser. Ted slung it around his neck, threading it into a perfect knot, then tucked the end behind the closed coat.
“Hey, Dad!” The voice of his son boomed from the hall, growing louder as he got closer. “Are you in here—” Junior caught sight of his father and skidded to a halt in the doorway. His eyes grew to the size of saucers. “Wow!”
“Hi, Son.” Ted tugged at his lapels and puffed out his chest. “What do you think?”
“It’s great.” The young boy moved in for a closer look. “Is that your uniform from the war?”
“It sure is.” Ted snapped to attention and saluted. “Master Sergeant Theodore Bailey reporting for duty, sir!”
Junior giggled. “At ease, soldier.”
“Thank you, sir!” Ted held the pose for a few more seconds, before laughing and sweeping up his son into a giant hug. Then he started to tickle!
Junior squirmed in his grip. “Dad. Stop. Put me down!”
“Not until you say uncle!”
“Uncle!”
“Okay.” Ted gently set the boy back onto his feet, then ruffled his hair.
“Pop!” Junior escaped from his father’s grip, then patted the strands of his unruly mop back into place. “Why’d you put on your uniform?”
“I suddenly felt nostalgic for the old days.”
“How come?”
“Yesterday I went to pick up your sister, Susie and her boyfriend at the high school job fair.” Ted, plucked a brochure off of his bureau. “While I was there, I saw this.”
He handed the publication to the boy. Titled “This is How it is,” the brochure promised to inform readers what to expect when joining the “army team!”
“Neat.” Junior flipped through the pages. “Did you go through these steps when you enlisted in the army?”
“Not exactly. There was a war on then, you know.” Ted retrieved his brochure and sat down in the easy chair next to the bed. “Yet, I bet the basic steps to become an army recruit are the same. Let’s take a look, shall we?”
“Swell.” Junior perched himself on the padded armrest, then father and son started to read.
Junior whistled. “Sounds like an army recruit has a pretty neat life.”
“He could, Junior,” Ted snapped the booklet shut. “You might want to consider becoming an army recruit when you’re older.”
“Aw, Pop.” The boy hopped off his seat on the armrest. “I’m nearly twelve! Old enough to fight the bad guys!”
“You are, are you?” Ted fought down a smile. “You think you’re brave enough to face any adversity?”
The boy bunched his fingers together, making two fists, and perched them on his hips! “Let me at them! I’ll show them who’s boss!”
“Okay then,” Ted agreed. “Why don’t you start by informing your mother that you’re running away to join the army.”
“Tell Mom?” Junior turned white as a sheet. “On second thought, Pop, maybe we’d better wait a few years.”
“Good idea.” The clock on the nightstand chimed. “Hey, it’s almost time for dinner.”
“And we’re having hamburgers tonight!” Junior ran for the door, stopped short in the entryway and looked back. “Thanks for showing me your uniform, Pop.”
“My pleasure, son.”
Junior ran down the stairs toward his hamburgers. Once again alone, Ted took off his jacket, and placed it carefully on the bed.
Yes, the army was an excellent career, but one of many. Ted was extremely proud of both of his children. Whatever future they selected; it would be the right choice.
His stomach rumbled.
“Hey,” he shouted, running out the door. “Save a burger for me!”
Burgers do sound good, as do the vintage publications that exist in GVS land. For they are, Glorious Vintage Stuff!
