Unforeseen Romance

Prologue

Welcome Home

     It's a cold and damp night in Augustine, the time was 8:57 pm and most of the streets were bare of life. The only sound was an occasional tree branch or the sound of a slight breeze coming in from the west. A single car driving through the center of town is making it's way to Dorthy Ave, the rural part of town. It's black and blends in with the rest of the darkness surrounding it. It shines it's lights through the closed shops and restaurants of main street, causing shadows to fade in and out of each empty lot. The car, makes it's way through the town until it reaches the suburbs.

     The suburbs are much darker than the main street but equally as quiet. Everyone who lives in the city knows that, at night, everything sits at a stand still. No one leaves their homes for there is nothing to do with everything being closed. There is only this one car, a car that bears grave news. Nothing exciting usually happens in the city. The local high school football team may occasionally rank higher than last year, but besides that nothing else is worth bragging about. At least, that's all people want you to hear. Many times things that deserve attention get neglected in this town, or rather, this society. The car is about to make it's stop, but no one else will care, why should they?

     The car goes four blocks down from the local gas station, it's possibly the only landmark that divides the main road from the rows of houses on either side. That and a small restaurant that has been closed since the 50's, but nobody thinks about it. The road the car turns on is a humble neighborhood. It has no blemishes on it's record except for the occasional break in from an outsider of the street. The houses are decorated with flags and large, garden-like yards that make the street unique. The car blends in better to the street, mainly because of all the small yard ponds the neighbors have are making a lot of noise.

     745 Jacob St. is the destination of the mystery car. The house before is much less decorated from the rest of the houses. The only thing that makes the house stand out is a small tree and yard flag standing in the yard. A tall, scruff man walks out of the car and heads toward the front door. The house has no functional door bell, so the man gives the door a hardy knock. A few dragged out moments later, an equally tall man with a nicely cut beard and glasses answers the door.

"Mr. Hays, I presume?", the man from the car is revealed by the patio light as some rank of military. He stands with his hand open, awaiting for a polite hand shake. The other man, a young Howard Hays, stands motionless at the door with shock on his face. He knows exactly why the man is there, and he's come at a bad time. "Which one of us?" Howard is barely able to mutter out the words behind and teary eyes. "Sorry to say Mr. Hays, but it's both of ye'", the military official says in his most comforting voice. "What about our newly born?" At this point a woman carry an infant has walked behind Howard, she too understands the situation, unlike the child. "I knew this would come, my parents are not far from here...they could always watch Charley", the woman assures Howard as she cradles little Charley in her arms. "The likelihood of either of you staying on port for long is slim to none, you most likely won't even see any action." The military man pulls out a letter that gives exact details on their draft. "You will need to leave by Saturday, that gives you three days to get all of your matters in order before you report to the base. I shall see you Saturday Mr. Hays." With that, the man turns around and walks back to his car. Before Howard knows it, the car is once again gone and the soft sound of water is the only sound around. 

    Howard turns to his wife, "What are we going to do?" He sits down on the leather love seat and puts his head in his hands. "Look, we may have only had Charley for a small time now, but my parents are good people. They can live here and watch over Charley until we get back. It's like the officer said, we probably won't be on duty long." His wife puts her hand on his back reassuringly. After a few silent moments, Howard turns to his three month old child. "Charley, keep a good eye on grandpa and grandma for us...ok?" Charley is barely able to keep his eyes open as he slowly drifts to sleep in his mother's arms. "We should head on back to bed deary," his wife, Bethany, says in a soft voice. "Alright, let's get on then." Howard stands up and drags himself back to bed, still unsure of what is to happen. Bethany takes Charley to his cradle and gives him a goodnight kiss. Bethany walks to the light switch and says, "Stay strong, Charley," before the lights go out. The neighborhood is finally at rest.