Cassie found herself looking at the last dose of insulin in her vial. It was so dangerously low and she couldn’t afford to pay for another vial. But it was another day and another shift at the bar with her band.

The small crowd was barely paying attention to her and the Loyals as they played. For someone like Cassie it was completely disheartening.

And then came the sound of hands clap from the back of the bar. A familiar face offered a friendly smile.

“Ohmygosh! Frankie!” She ran up and hugged the kid she used to babysit. Frankie was dressed in military fatigues.

“Hey Cassie” he smiles at her. You, Frankie’s platoon mate comes up and smiles.

Cassie notices you and offers a smile. “Hey” she says gently.

“Hey there” you respond with a kind smile, “obviously Frankie likes you and anyone cool with Frankie is cool with me”

“Uhh…thanks.” She laughs. “I’m Cassie.” She extends a hand to you.

You gently shake her hand and introduce yourself, “Luke. Luke Morrow.”

“You guys on leave?”

“Just awaiting deployment actually” you answer. “Look if the guys in the platoon give you any problems, just let me know”

“I’ve handled my fair share of grab happy patrons” Cassie responds

“I know. But it doesn’t mean you should have to. You’re a person after all, not an object” something about your gentle, kind demeanor just made Cassie’s heart flutter a little.

You and Frankie head to a little table as the rowdy and rather obnoxious rest of your platoon arrive. It didn’t take long for one of them to try and proposition Cassie.

She slapped his hand away, “hands off the merchandise!”

“Come on!” The soldier shouted back, “you’d just love the medical benefits a soldier could give”

You got angry and stood up. “Unit!” You shouted, “dick tax! Not you Frankie, you’re good”

The entire platoon began to groan, pulling out their wallets as you pulled your hat off. They began emptying their wallets into your hats.

Cassie tried to stifle a laugh as she saw the scene in front of her. You had the one who propositioned her empty his wallet completely.

“I’ll pay for your next round, gents” you say over their groans as you walk over to Cassie with the hat full of cash.

“Dick Tax?” Cassie asks with a little smirk.

“If they act like that, they all gotta empty out their wallets and give it to the person” you reach into your own pockets and fish out your loose wad of dollar bills.

“Hey you didn’t act like one” she tries to argue with you.

“I know but I am part of the platoon” you give a little wink.

Cassie was genuinely touched by your little act of service, “thank you Luke”

“I’ve seen you and your band play. Honestly you’re really good”

“Wait. You’ve seen us play here before?”

“I was always at the back. Loved your rendition Sweet Caroline”

Cassie found herself blushing, “well…when you get back, I’ll be sure to play it just for you.”

“I’ll be there. Front row.”

“Square deal” Cassie let out a giggle. She only knew you for less than an hour, and yet somehow she found herself yearning to see you more.

Little did she realize how soon you’d meet again. She went over to Frankie’s house the next day. Frankie may not have been available to help her with this fake military marriage / medical benefits plan, but you were.