Your War, My War

| Chapter XIV |

The Operation Overlord did not last very long, it was only a few days until the Allies finally claimed their victory. 

As for me, it took the length of the operation to recover. I had to change bandages ever so often, and it was decided I couldn't do it myself. Often times Lieutenant or Charles would change out the bandages. No one else did. Mainly because Lieutenant didn't trust anyone else. Slowly, I was able to regain for range of motion and swift actions.

The longer I was from home, the more I wanted it. The other felt the same as I, as we couldn't go a single day without sharing personal experiences with family. Soon, the crew knew of my new name. They never called me my real name, as they were too accustomed to calling me Silas. 

Back at the base camp, soldiers began to rally about protesting about going home. The soldiers were beginning to get homesick. They have wives, families, sisters, and brothers to come to. Did they know they'd spend such a long time here? I was feeling the same, as I didn't think anyone wasn't. Even those who were re-enlisting still wanted to get out of this inferno. Everyone needs time to think, to break, to collect themselves.

It was the December, and finally there was word about "Operation Magic Carpet". It was an operation to get soldiers back home, as there was really no reason to fight anymore. Germany had lost most of the battles. The Axis was losing. The Axis have lost. 

Soon, it was time for us to go. It was upsetting for all of us, as we had gotten so close. I knew it was a risk, but it was a risk I was willing to take. Everything I did here contradicted my standards at the orphanage. The main one being getting close to others. 

Charles especially. 

Was it because I had known him the longest? I didn't want to give into my feelings. I struggled to be in denial, because everything inside of me just wanted to admit to it. My mind had other plans. 

The crew had lived in different parts of the United States, which would explain our different routes. To those of us who could, we gave locations to gather. It was a stretch, and call it unnecessary, but we were family, and I had grown attached. Garrett lived as far away as Mississippi. 

Successfully, we had made it back. We had gotten separated for whatever reason, as much of the commute was a blur. In the end, the one by my side was Max. It wasn't a single trip, and then we were far from home; we arrived at Fort Mason. Fort Mason is far from home, being in San Franciso. Different transportations were used before I finally returned back to Father, and his little suburban shop. 

There were many parades and celebrations happening in favor of the returning soldiers. Through all of it, I didn't feel proud of my part until I had seen Father. 

When I had finally made it back. I hadn't seen him in the window. It didn't discourage me, as I kept my pace. People took note of my attire, and thanked me, unaware of my gender. I smiled thoughtfully in return.

I swung the door open. I heard father get up from his chair. He brushed himself off. "Hello, how may I he-" He started. Once he looked up, he froze. 

"Bon?" His voice began to crack. 

"Father." I said back. He hastily walked up to me and wrapped his arms around me. He rubbed his iconic circles on my back. He examined my body and my hair, ruffling it as he always does. I smiled, glad I was back, but frowned at the thought of being away from my other family. He had so many questions for me. They flowed out his mouth like a waterfall. I gingerly laughed, after not doing so in such a long time. It felt odd to laugh, and truly smile. I was glad to finally be back in his embrace, but something inside of me wouldn't let me cry. So, I stood there, in my father's grasp. 

"Has... Has Edward returned?" I asked. 

Father said nothing. He instead straightens his posture and sighs deeply. He lingered on the thought, not knowing how to approach it. The worst came to my mind. I thought that he had lost a limb or had become disfigured to an explosion. Was he in a coma? Did he become a prisoner of war?

That afternoon I would learn myself. Together, father and I walked to the house of the Harrises. For a second I was proud, soon I would see my brother by heart. When we arrived, a flag was propped and raised high from the second story. A white flag with a golden star was seen blowing the wind. I smiled. 

"Is he here? Is he home?" I asked urgently, tugging on my father's sleeve. 

"Flags with blue stars mean that the present family in the house has a member in army. The gold, one..." He paused. " The gold one means the life was lost."

I jolted at the words. I looked back at the house. My hands began to shake. I clasped them together tightly as I looked down at my feet. Father place a hand on my back, guiding me back to the shop. I cried the way back, tears blurring my vision. 

Edward, my only friend, was lost. It was the last that I thought would happen. I could have died before him. I should had died for him. I should have enlisted in the same field as he was. We should have been foot soldiers together. We'd watch out for one another, and that would have never happened. Why did he have to die? 

I wiped my face into the back of my wrist. My father kneeled onto a knee and looked at me deeply. 

"Edward was a strong boy. He did the best her could. God took him. His time had come. On this Earth, he did his part. We don't know what he did for others in his regiment, but I'm sure it was life changing." 

I nodded. I wanted to agree, because it was the truth, but I couldn't let go. 

A few days following my return, I was still getting use to my old lifestyle. I couldn't get over some events and I didn't get used to sleeping properly. I found myself staring into my wall, counting the nails or... the beats of my heart. I couldn't bare but remember the tank crew. I had missed them dearly. For we did share information, I couldn't let them go. We almost died together, we laughed together, comforted each other, helped each other. 

I was falling back the schedule of my normal life. It felt comforting, but abnormal. Something wasn't right, when everything was supposed to. I dressed in my signature outfit: a buttoned shirt and overalls. 

Father did his best to lighten the mood and make me feel comfortable. It did work, but I was still somehow still attached to the battlefield. 

When we had reached the shop, I took the my spot. I had grabbed a scrap piece of wood and began to carve into it. I needed something to do, something to distract me. I scrapped into the wood, not knowing what to do. It began to resemble a flower, so I continue the shape of flower. It wasn't long before Edward entered my mind. It resulted in me breaking a petal. After I noticed my mistake, I looked at it carefully. The door opening freed me from my trance. I set the project on a table beside me. 

I stand up, brushing off my lap. I met the customer's eyes, but they weren't to someone I had known, at least I didn't think they were. I waved to start. "Good morning, how may I help you?" I say, forcing speech. 

"Bonnie?" The customer said. I shocked at when he said my name. The customer's face was covered in a dark red scarf. He was tall, with a bod that wasn't too muscular, but not too slim. He was dressed well. 

"Excuse me?" I said, confused. The customer smiled, pulling down his scarf. "Didn't think I'd see you here."

My eyes widened and I felt my neck tighten. I gulped hard before, slowly walking from behind the counter. We looked at each other, a think tension between us. The customer brings his up his hands slightly. I continue over, sealing the hug. My breathing was uneven. I was scared, shocked, happy, relieved, and upset all at once. I had nothing to fear. 

For it was... Charles. 

"Charles, what..." I couldn't process anything. "How are...?"

"I don't live that far away from here. My father at an issue with his car, so I came here. He quarrels with the other nearby, so I decided to come here."

"I'm... I'm so glad to see you." I say, my hug tightening. 

"I am glad to see you, too."