Stronger

1

“Hey dad,” I yell into the phone as I walk away from the crowd of people at the high school football team.  2

“Hey Kam, Kyle’s here with me,” my dad says. He’s in Las Vegas right now, visiting a family friend, Kyle, who is in the army. I haven’t seen Kyle in a few months and I ask my dad how he’s doing. “Here, do you want to talk to him?” he asks and I hear him handing the phone to him.  3

I don’t know Kyle that well, but I know him enough, he’s someone I trust. I had first met him a few winters ago, when he was on leave and my dad asked him to give me a ride home. I remember opening the truck door and Kyle saying “Hello, my name is Kyle and I’ll be your chauffeur.” I remember laughing and us two getting into an easy conversation, I think it was about Eminem or something. 4

“Hey Kam, how’s it going?” I hear Kyle’s voice on the phone, using my nickname that about everyone uses. 5

“I’m… I’m alright, you know, could be better.” I mumbled. There’s been a lot of drama in my life lately. All of which I’m sure Kyle, along with the whole city I live in knows about.  That’s the problem with this town- everyone knows everyone, everyone tells everyone everything. 6

“Yeah, I heard about what your mom did to your dad and you.” He confirmed what I though. 7

“It’s been pretty tough, you know?” I said.  8

“Yeah, I know it is. But hey, what doesn't’t kill you only makes you stronger, right?” Kyle said, his voice breaking up over the reception of the cell phone. 9

“Yeah, I guess” I mumble, and tears well up in my eyes. “So, how is the army life?” I ask, trying to change the subject; I hate crying. 10

“Well, you know, busy.” 11

“When are you headed to South Korea or wherever?” I ask. Kyle was suppose to go to a foreign country in the next few months. 12

“I’m not going there anymore.” He says, and I hear him laugh slightly. 13

“Where then?” I ask. If I was one of those people who could raise one eyebrow, I’d be doing that now. 14

“Uhm. I’m goin’ to Iraq.” He said, sounding like he was trying to be positive. 15

“Not uh.” I say, my mouth hanging open. 16

“Yup... I leave in either January or February.” 17

“Holy shit… That’s scary…” I said, my voice shaking.  18

“Nah, it’ll be okay.” 19

“How come they changed it?” 20

“Because they can,” Kyle laughed. 21

“Damn, well…” I didn't know what to say. It’s *Iraq*! I was worried about Korea or wherever he was first going, but now, Iraq?  22

Over the last summer when Kyle was on leave, and I was hanging out with him with my best friend, I remember us listening to country music. I was singing with the song, being a general dumbass. And all of the sudden Kyle turned down the music and said, “Am I taking you two down town to go meet boyfriends?” he gave us a funny questioning look and I told him I didn’t have a boyfriend, but my friend Alexis did. Kyle laughed and said, “You know, the best kind of guy for you, Kami, is a mechanic who listens to country music.” He nodded. God Kyle is such a hick. I asked him how come and he replied, “’Cause a man like that will treat you right.” 23

“Well Kam, I should talk to you later, dinner’s here.” Kyle says into the phone after a few moments of silence. 24

“Aight. Well, Kyle?” I said, waiting for him to see if he’s still there. 25

“Yeah?” 26

“I’ll see you later.” I took a deep breath, trying to keep from crying. 27

“Hey- just remember, what doesn’t kill you, only makes you stronger. I’m comin’ back home before I go to Iraq, so I’ll see you then.” 28

“Okay… Bye.” I said, and hung up the phone and walked back to my friends. 29

*What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger*30