The Story of the Golden Ribbon

The Beginning

The sound of gun fire and yelling filled the air as soldier Thomas Smith fights along side his noble soldiers.

It was months before. Him saying goodbye to his family and his daughter giving him the ribbon. The ribbon that she used everyday to tie her hair, the ribbon that has a golden color and shines in her hair. He says his last goodbyes before taking off. As he wipes the tears from his eyes and he collects his duffle bag and leaves toward the plane. The plane would drop them right at a base camp were they would live for the next eight months. Him and a soldier named Luke Hoffman were assigned to take routine checks around the base. They were making small talk and were starting to get to know each other. Then it all happened. The shrapnel cut into there skin like a sharp blade. They were knocked back fifteen feet, all Thomas could here was ringing in his ears. Finally the dust settled he could see other soldiers rushing to them. But all he could see was the medics mouthing words, he couldn't hear anything finally after moments passed he could hear the medics screaming and rushing to Luke's side. Luke wasn't moving. He was having tubes put into him. Him being rushed onto a gurney being ran to the medic tent. Rushed into surgery.
Would I see him again I asked myself. Would he see his family again.

After being treated and getting shrapnel removed Luke appears, as he is being taken out of surgery. As I look over at him, I see he has no leg.
No leg.
What will he say when he wakes up.
Will he point fingers at me.
Will he wake up.

It was three weeks in the infirmary, he never looked over. He never moved.
I decided to ask the nurse what's wrong with Luke and if he's okay.
The nurse says that he had a large amount of brain damage and that it was a grenade that went off extremely close and the leg damage was irreversible. And that he will be sent home.

I walk slowly back to the housing units wondering what will happen to Luke. Then those three questions return and haunt me.

What will he say when he wakes up.

Will he point fingers at me.

Will he wake up.
The next morning one of the nurses run to me.