“This little guy can hang out here,” I said, putting my stuffed animal on the center console, and I couldn’t help but smile at how sweet Preach was to get me that. It really did help chase some the anxiety away.
We got out of the car and joined my dad in front of the office.
“Hey, kids.”
“Hi, Mr. Milner,” Preach said and extended his hand to shake.
“You ready, Speedy?” Dad asked.
I nodded and let out a breath. “Anxious to find out my new start date. Sucks I can’t go right after school ends anymore, but it’ll be okay. It’s not like they’ll push it back that far.”
Dad nodded, then pulled open the door and held it for us. Preach followed me in, then Dad brought up the rear.
A man with deep-set amber eyes and a buzzcut stood up from behind a desk as we entered. “Grace Milner?”
“Yes, sir.” I held out my good hand.
“I’m Staff Sergeant Correnti. It’s very nice to meet you.”
He made quick introductions with my dad and Preach, then led us to three chairs on the opposite side of his desk. “Please, have a seat.”
We all sat down.
“Grace, I’ve spoken with your doctor and physical therapist,” Staff Sergeant Correnti said.
I leaned forward. “I know I haven’t made enough progress to leave in June, but I promise, I’ll keep working—”
The recruiter held up his hand, and I fell silent.
“Unfortunately, Grace, we will not be clearing you for basic training.”
“Well, not for now.” I glanced at Dad. “But how long do we need to delay my RNLTD?”
“We’ve reviewed all your medical records and taken your situation into account.” He let out a sigh, then continued, “I’m sorry, Grace, but we’ve had to declare you medically ineligible.”
The air whooshed out of my lungs. My head started to spin, and the room shrunk two sizes. Surely I’d heard him wrong.
“Wait, what?” I felt Preach’s hand on my back.
“I’m very sorry, Grace, but you’re medically ineligible due to the severity of your injury.”
I looked down at my braced hand.
Medically ineligible?
The tears blurred my vision. I bit the inside of my cheek, willing myself to not cry. No way. This was not happening.
No fucking way.
“I’m so sorry, Grace,” my dad said, a grim expression on his face.
“No. Wait.” I looked to Preach, then Dad, then the staff sergeant. “I’ll get better. I promise! I’ll do whatever it takes! You can’t take this away from me. You can’t!”
My chest tightened, and my eyes stung. This wasn’t happening. This wasn’t happening.
“Why can’t I keep rehabbing? We can reassess in a few months. I’m sure it will be better by then!”
Staff Sergeant Correnti said, “You will have to pass MEPS. And at this time, you are medically ineligible.”