have more questions and concerns.
“You don’t have to go. You can stay here and continue at St. Josephs or you can go to the world's top military academy. You choose Jason,” Ray said.
“Of course I want to go to the American military academy, but I’ll miss Catherine, Scott and—” Jason paused, his eyes filled with tears. “I’ll miss you.” Ray hugged his son. Jason’s exterior toughness always collapsed when it came to the love for his father.
Chapter Seven
Explaining to Princess Catherine he was going to school in America, which meant they would hardly see each other, went easier than he had expected. They had a strange friendship. She considered him her boyfriend and he called her his girlfriend. But they had not been able to spend much time together, and the time they had been together it was usually for a family birthday celebration. They never had time alone to talk and had become little more than friends.
Scott, on the other hand, had been difficult. Scott’s large brown eyes welled up. The two boys had become very close and shared a brotherly love. Scott was concerned how Jason would cope with his homework without him. Jason was concerned that the likes of Malcolm Vango would bully Scott once he wasn't there to protect him. Though Jason did thump Scott for saying he would take Catherine out on a date while Jason was away.
He was given instructions to travel in his Sea Cadet uniform. He had already sent ahead his measurements, so his new uniforms would be provided once he arrived, but it was a rule he came in his existing uniform.
*
May 1 st 1975.
Ray took Jason to London’s Heathrow airport and found it difficult saying goodbye to his son. It would be two months before Jason returned and very likely that he would be away at sea when Jason came home. He was leaving himself in a few days to join the Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier, HMS Hermes. The housekeeper, Mrs. Beeton, would look after Jason or he would spend time with his grandparents in Scotland. They kissed goodbye and hugged. Jason walked through to the departure lounge and found himself with mixed feelings, both nervous and excited.
The nine-hour flight on a United States Boeing 747 was over much quicker than Jason expected. His stomach tightened as the plane touched down at Des Moines International Airport. He collected his bags, went through a military passport control, and noticed a solider holding a small board with the name Jason Steed written across it.
Jason approached him and saluted. “Jason Steed, sir.” Jason thought the solider was around twenty. He still had acne on his face. Peterson was written on his shirt breast pocket. Jason assumed that was his surname.
“Follow me and keep up.” Peterson grunted, turned, and marched towards an exit. Jason jogged behind, struggling to keep up while carrying his suitcase and shoulder bag. Peterson climbed into a military Jeep and started the engine. Jason threw his bags in the back. As soon as he lifted himself in, the Jeep sped off before Jason was sat down.
“Hi, I’m Jason.” Jason smiled.
“No, here you will be called Steed. I’m Peterson and pissed off. I never joined the army to chauffer snotty little rich kids around.”
So much for the friendly welcome , Jason thought to himself. “Then why did you join the US army?”
“To defend my country. Fight for our freedom.”
“You are. I thought some of the best US generals went to Quentin Roosevelt Military Academy. Do you help run the place?”
“Yeah, they turned out some good generals and a few president’s, but many of the students are spoilt little rich kids like you. No offence, but really what’s the point of sending a pretty boy like you here? I bet your family is loaded too.”
Jason frowned at Peterson. He wanted to argue, tell him that no wonder he was just a driver if he had that attitude. He chose to say nothing and enjoy the American scenery. The two hundred mile drive from Iowa to Quentin
“You don’t have to go. You can stay here and continue at St. Josephs or you can go to the world's top military academy. You choose Jason,” Ray said.
“Of course I want to go to the American military academy, but I’ll miss Catherine, Scott and—” Jason paused, his eyes filled with tears. “I’ll miss you.” Ray hugged his son. Jason’s exterior toughness always collapsed when it came to the love for his father.
Chapter Seven
Explaining to Princess Catherine he was going to school in America, which meant they would hardly see each other, went easier than he had expected. They had a strange friendship. She considered him her boyfriend and he called her his girlfriend. But they had not been able to spend much time together, and the time they had been together it was usually for a family birthday celebration. They never had time alone to talk and had become little more than friends.
Scott, on the other hand, had been difficult. Scott’s large brown eyes welled up. The two boys had become very close and shared a brotherly love. Scott was concerned how Jason would cope with his homework without him. Jason was concerned that the likes of Malcolm Vango would bully Scott once he wasn't there to protect him. Though Jason did thump Scott for saying he would take Catherine out on a date while Jason was away.
He was given instructions to travel in his Sea Cadet uniform. He had already sent ahead his measurements, so his new uniforms would be provided once he arrived, but it was a rule he came in his existing uniform.
*
May 1 st 1975.
Ray took Jason to London’s Heathrow airport and found it difficult saying goodbye to his son. It would be two months before Jason returned and very likely that he would be away at sea when Jason came home. He was leaving himself in a few days to join the Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier, HMS Hermes. The housekeeper, Mrs. Beeton, would look after Jason or he would spend time with his grandparents in Scotland. They kissed goodbye and hugged. Jason walked through to the departure lounge and found himself with mixed feelings, both nervous and excited.
The nine-hour flight on a United States Boeing 747 was over much quicker than Jason expected. His stomach tightened as the plane touched down at Des Moines International Airport. He collected his bags, went through a military passport control, and noticed a solider holding a small board with the name Jason Steed written across it.
Jason approached him and saluted. “Jason Steed, sir.” Jason thought the solider was around twenty. He still had acne on his face. Peterson was written on his shirt breast pocket. Jason assumed that was his surname.
“Follow me and keep up.” Peterson grunted, turned, and marched towards an exit. Jason jogged behind, struggling to keep up while carrying his suitcase and shoulder bag. Peterson climbed into a military Jeep and started the engine. Jason threw his bags in the back. As soon as he lifted himself in, the Jeep sped off before Jason was sat down.
“Hi, I’m Jason.” Jason smiled.
“No, here you will be called Steed. I’m Peterson and pissed off. I never joined the army to chauffer snotty little rich kids around.”
So much for the friendly welcome , Jason thought to himself. “Then why did you join the US army?”
“To defend my country. Fight for our freedom.”
“You are. I thought some of the best US generals went to Quentin Roosevelt Military Academy. Do you help run the place?”
“Yeah, they turned out some good generals and a few president’s, but many of the students are spoilt little rich kids like you. No offence, but really what’s the point of sending a pretty boy like you here? I bet your family is loaded too.”
Jason frowned at Peterson. He wanted to argue, tell him that no wonder he was just a driver if he had that attitude. He chose to say nothing and enjoy the American scenery. The two hundred mile drive from Iowa to Quentin
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