Traveling Soldier

Homecoming

       "How do we know when he gets home?" I asked Delilah when I woke up with Dylan. "We have to go pick him up from the station, June," she said, wrapping her hair in her bandana. "We've got to tell Mrs. Sylvia!" I said. "I'll tell her when she gets here, you go with Mr. Brown," she said. I ran over to the neighbor's house with Dylan and begged Mr. Brown to take me to the station. "Alright, alright," he said smoothly. 

       "When will the train get here?" I asked Mr. Brown. "Soon enough," he said. The train pulled in and slowly came to a stop. Everyone was waiting anxiously to get their injured soldiers. The doors opened and soldiers piled out on crutches. Finally I saw him. Dylan pointed at him and I was frozen in my place. He looked at me and grinned as he made his way over to me with his crutches. "Like my battle scar?" he asked, indicating a small scratch on the far left side of his forehead. All I could do was smile as tears pricked in my eyes. Mr. Brown picked up Dylan and I threw myself into Gabriel's awaiting arms. Why did I have to wait so long?" I said into his shoulder. 

        At the house, Delilah helped him into my bed and made him keep in the bed. "Where am I supposed to sleep?" I asked her. "I don't know," she said, handing me Dylan and walking out of the room. I could've sworn she winked. "Hey there, Squirt," Gabriel said to Dylan as she crawled out of my arms and into his lap. She giggled as he tickled her belly. "Not so fast," I said, grabbing Dylan as she whined, "No!" I removed her blanket, coat, and bonnet and put her back in his lap. "Just be glad she can't walk yet. Only standing," Gabriel said. 

      Delilah came back in to retrieve Dylan's coat and winked again at me. Mrs. Mary came in to get Dylan and said her goodbyes to us for the day. I was still standing beside the bed. Gabriel moved over and pat the remaining space in the bed for me to lay on. I hesitated for a moment but then removed my shoes and reluctantly layed down. "I have to go back as soon as I'm well again," he murmured, as he kissed the top of my head and wrapped his arm around me. "I'm just glad you're home," I said with my eyes closed.