Araxos By The Sea/My Remote Assignment PART IV
I don't remember much about the interval between visiting with Sam and the next event that took place with Dennis. We were nice to each other but we didn't share time together like he had in the past. Of course Jack sensed that something was wrong and eventually I explained to him what had happened and I did it trying to prepare myself for the fact that I might lose his friendship. He seemed to understand and he didn't abandon me as I feared he would. Jack continued to be the same old friend to both Dennis and me as he always had been. I don't know if he let Dennis know I told him about it or not, but I don't think it would make any difference at all.
In May everyone began to get worried about Dennis because he seemed so depressed. Well, being depressed so soon to the end of a tour is sometimes expected. You become very close and become like a family, and then you know it's coming to an end and you are torn with feelings about not wanting to leave your buddies, and yet, wanting to get on with your life. Maybe counting the days prevents getting close to the people around you and makes it easier when it comes time to leave. I don't care what anyone says, the experience of a remote will definitely change a person. It does something to you and you never forget the experience, be it good, or bad.
Dennis became very withdrawn and seemed to drink more than usual. My job had changed from being a clerk when I was promoted to a shift supervisor. This meant that when we began our Midnight Shift I had to drive my crew about six miles from our base to the flight line, preside over guard mount (instructions for the night) and then drive the other shift back to base. When I got back to the base with the other shift, I got out of my vehicle to make a quick security check of the area. Jack found me and said that he was concerned about Dennis. He said that Dennis had been drinking and was very distraught. He got out of Jacks sight when Jack went to the bathroom and Dennis could not be found. Jack had been looking for him everywhere and the only place he hadn't gone was about a half of a mile off base at the beach.
I rechecked all of the places that Jack had gone but couldn't find Dennis or anyone who knew where he was. I checked his trailer one more time before I headed for the beach. When I got to the beach he was standing on the top of the highest cliff around. I could see someone on the cliff from a good distance, so I turned the truck lights out and got as close as I could before I got out and climbed up the cliff from beneath him.
I knew better than to get too close to him so I kept my distance and gently started talking with him. I don't remember exactly everything I said, but I remember that I let him know that there were many of us who were very concerned about him and it didn't matter what was bothering him he needed to understand that he needed to let me take him back to base.
Tears rolled down his face like a fountain but he never sobbed, he never made a sound. He had a cigarette in one hand and a beer bottle in the other as he looked blankly out to the sea. I don't remember how long we talked, but it seems like it was maybe ten or fifteen minutes before he turned around and came toward me.
I simply said, "Are you ready to go back now?" We got in the truck and I drove back to base, saw that he made it to his trailer and into bed before I got back on the road and headed out to my crew.
(THE END OF PART VI)
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