Chapter 1

Soren stared at the clock for what seemed the millionth time.
4:59. Soren started to absentmindedly pet her husky, Dragon. His smooth, jet-black fur was soft and warm. Suddenly, his floppy ears perked up as he heard a noise outside and growled deeply. Soren heard it to. It was the crunch of tires on gravel. Soren jumped up and threw open the door to greet her husband. The day’s final pink rays framed him as he walked up the path.
“James! There you are!” Soren embraced him, then pulled away to see his face.
“Haha, yes, here I am! How are you?” James asked, brushing a stray piece of soft brown hair away from Sorens’ face.
“Good. So, where were you?”
“I…was accepting deployment for the army.” James swallowed; bracing himself for the berating he was sure was coming. He had been on leave when he met Soren, and she had been very brave while he was away. But nothing came forth from Soren, just a look of subdued shock on her face, her beautiful blue eyes going hard.
“Again? Ok…I’ll go pack your suitcase…” Sorens’ voice trailed off, and she quietly walked away, leaving James to stand in the doorway. Thoughts whirled around his head. Will he make it back? Will Soren be okay? What would....will this....what if...questions, questions! James closed the door behind him and walked into the bedroom.
"Soren, please, don't be mad. They arrived at work and I have to serve my country! Our country! You knew this would happen! I said so when we were dating..." He trailed off.
"James, it's okay. Don't worry, I will be fine. Your uniform is packed, and your supplies are in here...Captian." Soren smiled. James shook his head and hugged Soren tight.

Chapter 2

The next morning, Soren placed the overflowing tan and black suitcase on the brown, beat up coffee table.
“James, I’m sorry about last night. It was just…unexpected. I love you, and be safe. Return home safe!” Soren smiled as she leaned over and kissed James on the cheek.
“I will. And I understand. I’m sorry for having to wake you up at 4 o’ clock in the morning.” James replied.
“It’s fine. I’ve done it before.”
Soren fell silent and started drinking her coffee, thinking about James and worring if he would return. James seemed to read her mind as he leaned over and threw his arm around her shoulders.
Soren relaxed a little, and she continued to sip her drink.
"I may be promoted to a major this time."
"That's cool. I hope so."
"General Kard should be here soon."
"And....here he is." Soren said, watching the tan SUV rumble down the cul-de-sac.
"I love you, Soren." James kissed her.
"I love you to, James." Soren returned the kiss and invited the stiff colenel in.
He shook Soren and James hand, then looked James over.
"Ahem! I see you have kept in shape. Good, good. Pack your bags and head in the car. Mrs. Sarn, nice to meet you." General Kard tipped his hat and ushered James out the door.

Chapter 3

Soren stood in the doorway, staring at the tan SUV as it disappeared around the bend in the road. It was transporting James to the airport, and from there, he would go to Iran to serve and defend his beloved country.
She turned away and locked the door, then sighed and looked at Dragon.
“Well, it’s just you and me…again!” Soren shook her head and headed to the kitchen for a quick breakfast of yogurt and a cereal bar. Dragon followed her, his long, black, furry tail wagging furiously. He obviously thought that he was going to receive something.
“Ok, ok. I’ll get your food, you impatient customer!” Soren laughed and handed the excited husky a bacon strip she hid in the cupboard. He happily trotted away with his treasure held protectively in his mouth. Soren just laughed and continued with her breakfast.
A while later, Sorens’ phone rang. It was an international call from James. He must have landed and arrived safely.
“Hey darlin’! How are you?” James asked, sounding concerned.
“Oh, just a little lonely, that’s all. I’ll be fine. How long is your station?” Soren changed the subject.
“For 3 months. It’s just because I am a ‘veteran’ in a sense.”
“Great! I’ll see you soon then!”
“Yes, the landscape here is beautiful…for now. Once I arrive at the camp, it will be littered with tents, weapons, ammo, and a whole bunch of other stuff.”
James’ voice was interrupted with the sound of a gruff voice shouting.
“Oh boy, that’s General Kard. I better go. I love you sweetie!”
“Ok. Good luck! Love you to, bye!” Soren hung up and was very glad James was not there to see the tears fall from her face.

Chapter 4

Soren stared at the calendar. Just 1 month until James came home! She was startled as the doorbell rang.
“Um, Ms. Sarn?” A mailman with a bulging messenger bag asked tentatively.
“Yes?” Soren asked, feeling her skin go cold.
“This came in the mail for you.” The mailman tipped his cap and walked away across the manicured, green lawn.
Soren looked at the yellow envelope, then ripped it open and thought her heart stopped.
“Dear Ms. Sarn,
We are deeply sorry to say that your husband, James Sarn, has been killed in action today. He was a credit to the army, and he will be missed greatly. His body will be flown in the wonderful U.S.A. ASAP. Again, our deepest condolences to you.
Sincerely,
General Kard.”

Soren could barely believe her eyes. Her husband…killed. He had promised he would come home safe…and now…Soren dropped the letter and let the tears fall, crystal drops leaving their sad tracks on her cheeks.
She grabbed Dragon in a hug, seeking comfort in his fur and warmth. Dragon replied with a slobbery kiss on her cheek, his long pink tongue making a soft rasping noise. Soren sobbed into Dragon's fur, his warmth comforting.

Chapter 5

Soren fumbled for her vibrating phone. Stacy, her best friend, was calling.
“Stacy! Hey!” Soren nearly shouted.
“Hey Soren! I am very sorry to her about James. Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m feeling better. Just…lonely.”
“Good! You know, we need to have coffee sometime. Tuesday at 8 o’clock sound good?”
“Yes, it does. Listen, I’m busy writing funeral invitations, so I’ll call you back. It was good to hear your voice, Stacy. Thanks so much!”
“You’re welcome dear! Anytime! See ya Tuesday!”
I’m not going to cry…I’m not going to cry…Even though writing these invitations are killing me inside, I’m not going to cry! Soren thought.
“Dragon, do you think I should invite the neighbors? Even though they were mean to James...Oh, listen to me! There I go, talking to you again! I guess I am lonely!”
Dragon sat started wagging his furry tail happily, his tongue lolling out as he panted.
Yet again, her phone vibrated. It was an unknown number.
"Hello? Who is this?"
"General Kard, Mrs. Sarn. I am proud to inform you that James was flown in today and reported alive. He is in LakeView Hospitial."
"What? Thank you so much General! I will go over and see James tomorrow. Goodbye!" Soren hung up and hugged Dragon.

Chapter 6

Soren walked quickly into the bright hospital, her heels clicking on the polished floor. She walked up to the receptionist’s desk.
“Um, excuse me? I am here to see someone.” Soren swallowed nervously, not liking the look of the receptionist. She had short, clipped hair, sad almond eyes, and her too-red lips were pressed tightly together.
“Yes, who?” The receptionist glanced up at Soren. Soren did not like the way Betty, the receptionists’ voice rasped and almost groaned.
“James Sarn.” Soren stated matter-of-factly.
“He was flown in yesterday…Room 803.”
“Thank you.” Soren walked to the stairs, rolling her eyes at Betty’s muffled groan she thought was a reply.
Soren quickly ran up the stairs, and then found Room 803. What she saw made her gasp. She knocked on the door and the doctor met her. "Doctor..."

Chapter 7

Soren rushed to the doctor, peppering him with questions.
“Will James survive?”
“Yes, ma’am, he will.”
“Can he leave here soon?”
“No, ma’am, not yet. As soon as his injuries heal.”
“May I talk to him?”
“Yes, you may.” The doctor took a step back.
Soren walked up to the bed, were her husband laid, the wires and tubes attached to him making him nearly impossible to see.
“James, it’s me, Soren. What happened baby?” Soren gently squeezed his hand. The doctor sensed that they wanted to be alone, so he and his nurses left the room and shut the door.
“I’m…I’m fine,” James breathed. “Just…just…hurt…how…are…you?”
“I’m a lot better than I was. So, what happened?” Soren managed a weak smile.
“I was…riding in the…Jeep after…the guys and I had taken…out a…small band of…bad guys. One escaped…and killed two of the…guys. He shot me…the rest took him…out. Then, before he…was killed, he…threw a grenade…” James lifted his bandaged hand and touched Soren’s face.
Soren held his hand and just smiled, trying to comfort him.
“I’m glad you’re alive! I got a letter from General Kard saying…saying…well, never mind. You’re here and that’s all that matters.”
“Yes, that’s… all that… matters.”

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 14.04.2012

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No true dedication, this was a story I created for a project at shool. Please enjoy!