Coming home

Saying goodbye

We climbed in the car with misery on my face, I jumped in the back seat and put on my belt and we were off. The drive to the airport felt like it was taking years and years. We finally arrived at the airport and mom parked the car. We got out and entered the huge building, there was loads of family's there ready to say goodbye to their loved ones the only difference between me and them is that I'm not ready to let go of him. we stood their waiting for dads flight to come up, it was the most nervous moment of my life my heart was beating so loudly I thought it was going to come out of my chest my head hurt I felt so faint and I was burning up "flight 7;51 to Afghanistan arrived gate 2" the robotic sounding voice came from the big speakers. We walked to the gate and then it was time to say goodbye to my dad, I looked around to see men hugging their wives and kids and crying whilst trying to say goodbye I just wanted to cry even when I wasn't saying goodbye myself. I looked at the fire door, I was ready to run out that door so I wouldn't have to say goodbye, as I turned around I could see a sobbing little boy well he wasn't that little he was about in 6th grade, he was on his knees sobbing into his hands reaching out for his mother that was heading for the plane she took glances back to him and back again to the plane I bet she didn't want to go but she knew it was the right thing to do because not only is she serving her country she is serving as a single mother to a boy who needs her most, she got to the door and turned around and her son stood up to she looked him straight in the eyes and saluted him and he stood to attention and saluted back to his mother to signal respect and love for him. "Astra it's time to say goodbye love" my mom said with a smile spread across her face "but mom I don't want to say goodbye to daddy I don't want him to leave" I said with a shaky voice "but you want to be proud of your dad don't you Astra, don't you" "yes mom" "well let him go he'll be back soon darling I promise I won't let you forget about him ever" as I turned back to see my father, he was hugging my grandma and grandpa goodbye as grandma started to cry he comforted her and then grandpa stuck out his right arm and shook my dads hand and then hugged him before tapping him on the back. He turned to look at me and I flinched back as his brown eyes burned in my skull "Astra, come" I ran to him with tears in my eyes and ready to explode. I flung myself into his arms and rapped my arms around his neck as I sobbed into his uniform "daddy will be back soon okay, I won't forget you" "I love you daddy" I said whispering in his ear "come on darling it's time to go, let daddy go darling" "no,no leave me alone" I screamed at my mother as she was prising me of my father. My grandpa grabbed me and stood me up as my father was walking away to stop me running to him, I wanted to just go with him "Astra, ill never forget you" he shouted back as he was crying so hard that I couldn't really hear him properly "I love you daddy" and those were the last words I said to him before the doors closed behind him for good and there was no going back now, he was gone and I knew there was a big chance he wasn't going to make it back though he promised me he would. My grandpa got in with me in the back seat and comforted me as I wept myself to sleep, he hugged me all the way home but everyone decided to stay round grandpa Joes house until we could manage. As we walked in grandpas Joes kitchen I saw my grandma gee cooking and to the left of her was grandpa Joe talking to my mom, I couldn't really hear what they was talking about but I guess it was about dad. "Astra do you want a sandwich baby girl" as she turned to look at me with a sympathetic smile on her lips "yes please" "what one would you like then, we've got bacon and and chicken with lettuce and Mayo or..." "I'll just have that then thanks grandma gee your the best" she walked towards me and gave me a big hug. "Everyone in the living room house meeting hurry up everyone" my mom shouted as she pointed the door to the room "well everyone is seated I'll speak, Astra is going to stay here and I am going to stay at my house to give Astra some space so people all in favour raise in your hands" everyone put their hands up I looked around and looked astounded by their looks on their faces, I guess I've just got to get on with life.
But i couldn't believe she would just get over dad leaving so quickly I wonder what's going on.