Traveling Soldier

A Day With Dylan

        "Look Dylan, there's a pretty dress," I said, carrying her bundled up little figure in her coat and blanket. "Pretty," she said, turning her head from the shop window to look at me. I adjusted her bonnet and walked into the store to buy the dress. "You're gonna spoil that baby to death," Delilah said, walking with me. "I'm just making her extra happy," I told her.

        We thanked the worker on the way out of the store and continued down the walk. "June!" Beverly shouted, running across the street towards me. "Is that your baby?!" she said, out of breath. "Lord, no, Beverly! You know better! This is Gabriel's little sister, Dylan," I said. "Hello," Dylan said in her innocent little baby voice, smiling. "How serious is this relationship getting," she asked as we continued to walk. "I'll be fine..." I assured her. 

         Dylan go tired after about another hour, so Delilah walked both of us home after we said goodbye to Beverly. At the house, I sat Dylan down on a blanket with her doll and went to sit in the kitchen with Delilah while she cleaned. As soon as I sat down there was a knock on the door. "You never get a break do you?" I said to Delilah as she just laughed at me.

       "Yes?" I said as I opened the screen door. "Miss Hartman?" an official looking officer said. My heart sank as I realized who this was. "Yes, sir," I said, quietly. He handed me the envelope and saluted me. I walked inside slowly and sat down of the couch in front of Dylan. "Who was it?" Delilah asks, walking into the living room. She saw the envelope and knew exactly what it was. "Well what does it say?" she asked.

       I ripped open the envelope as quickly as possible. "Injured!" I exclaimed. "Uh-oh," Dylan said while looking up at Delilah. "That means he's coming home," Delilah said. "But he's injured! What if it's serious?!" I said in hysterics. "We won't know until he gets here. Now you go on up with Dylan and wash up. It's been a long day and you both need a good sleep. Mrs. Sylvia is bringing Gabriel's grandmother over tomorrow morning to get Dylan," Delilah said, supporting my arm and trying to stand me up.

      I washed Dylan and washed myself. After we were both in our nightgowns I put her in my bed with me. "Goodnight, Dylan," I said. "Night, Mommy," she said, curled up. And I cried myself to sleep...