Mountains Wanted Read Online Free PDF

miss a
beat, clearly familiar with this response. “I know it’s hard for civilians to
understand, but there are pros to serving in a war zone,” he replied, still
sensing the confusion on her face. “It’s okay, my mother doesn’t get it
either.”
    “You don’t have to
defend yourself,” Sarah recovered and redirected the conversation. “So, back to
the original topic from the other night…I thought you might talk a little bit
more about the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell thing?”
    He cleared his throat
again, “Of course.” He took a long sip of his coffee and thoughtfully set his
mug down on the table. She studied his hand and the way his elbow grazed the
table. She caught a slight inkling...very slight...that he might be
disappointed that the conversation had already shifted back to a professional
track so quickly. Argh! she chided herself. Why can’t I stop
analyzing and just enjoy this?
    “Being deployed in a
warzone, it’s obviously not like everyday life,” he began. “In order for
the men to stay focused, accomplish their missions and stay alive it requires -
more than anything else - mental discipline. If an individual loses focus and
doesn’t see something they ought to have seen, it may not only get them injured
but the person next to them as well. It’s imperative to keep distraction to a
minimum. It is focus and discipline that make the difference between frightened
boys and professional soldiers who get the job done. That’s also why there is
no drinking and no sex while deployed.”
    He looked at Sarah to
gauge her reaction. She nodded and he continued, this time sounding more like
himself and not the “professional tone” he had exhibited during the previous
mini-lecture. “I’m just thinking what it would be like to have this
flamboyantly gay soldier in my bunk going on and on about hair products or
something stupid like that. Or wiggling his ass in front of the guys. Or
listening to a lisp over the radio...” his voice trailed off suddenly.  He
could see by Sarah’s expression that she was trying to formulate a diplomatic
response.
    “You seem to know a lot
of gay stereotypes,” Sarah finally remarked. “You asked me last night if I’d
ever served in the military, but I have to ask you,” she paused for effect,
“Have you ever known anyone who was gay? Do you
really believe that with all the people you served with, not a single one was
gay, lesbian or bisexual?”
    James was quiet for a
moment. He wasn’t one to back down easily but he was also able to own up when
he’d misjudged someone or something. “No, I haven’t ever really known someone
who was openly gay.” he admitted.
    “Well,” Sarah said
gently and carefully avoiding any trace of judgment, “my brother is gay and he
is one of the most masculine men I know. You’d never know it just by looking at
him or talking to him.” An image of her brother Adam popped into her head:
tall, well-built, shaggy brown hair, slightly slouchy posture and a way more
casual wardrobe than most gay men would find acceptable. He had a deep voice and
a really quiet way about him. He was the antithesis of flamboyant or
effeminate.  
    “I see,” James
responded.
    “Do you think a man who
was very effeminate would be drawn to military service?”  Sarah asked. “And
if they were, do you think they’d survive boot camp?”
    James smiled, “Yeah, I
suppose you have a point, and boot camp does
have a way of weeding out those who are unfit for military service.”
    “How many times has your
sexual orientation impacted your ability to do your job?” Sarah questioned.
    “Never,” James replied.
 There was a bit of an uncomfortable silence. “So your brother is gay, Dr.
Lynde,” he broke the silence. “Care to tell me anything else about yourself?”
    “Let’s see if I can
manage an executive summary,” Sarah laughed. “I’m divorced, I have two
kids, I love to read and write, one of my legs is longer than the other so