'Til The End of Time

Chapter 30: "He heard the Trumpets"

Jay dropped his phone and fell to the ground. Erin handed Jack to Hank and rushed towards him.

"Jay baby what happened.." Erin asked panicking

"M m my best friend.. Easton's dad.. H h he died this morning..." Erin kissed his head

"What do you mean Jay? Easton's dad?"

"His dad was my best friend.. I didn't know that he was his dad when we adopted him.. Erin, I didn't know he had a kid.. He never told me.. Easton I promise I never knew.."

"My mom just told me he left.. He never said anything about him being in the Army but now that I think about it... Before I came and lived with you. I had these dog tags like the ones you gave me.. I always wore them but then one day I just misplaced them.." Erin walked closer to Jay.

"No, actually I found some dog tags a week ago cleaning the living room... They didn't have Jay's name on them and I was wondering who gave them to anyone.." Easton sat down

"Why didn't anyone tell me anything?" Easton asked

Erin walked closer to him and hugged him. "Look East, I didn't know they were for you.. I didn't know you wore them.." Erin said compassionately.

"It's fine.. Can we just go home?" Erin shook her head.. His grandpa walked over to Jay and hugged him.

"Jay, he was a nice boy.. One of the bravest.."

Jay had been silent for a while and he didn't want to talk. He was just reminiscing on the memories he he had with Brandon.. Everything from the time they TPed the teachers house to when they both dated the same girl to signing the papers joining the Army... Everything was flowing through this mind..

Jay paused before he said anything..
"... We lost contact after I got hurt.. I was in a bad place You know.. I didn't know what to say he saved my life, he was my best friend we had conquered the world.... Did what most don't do... He pushed me to the finish line he told me if I didn't come home he'd jump off a bridge.. It was him who helped me meet Erin.. It was him because he told me join the force after.. We were planning on doing it together.. Both of us.. He had meet this girl and I didn't know her very well.." Jay stood up and clung tight to his grandpa..

"Find happiness with yourself your kids and most importantly with the lord.. He'll guide you through to the light through the dark tunnel.. Jay, you'll always have him in the end.."

"I hopefully will.."

Next Week
Easton walked into the school on his crutches he looked around at his friends then sat down.. He was daydreaming when the teacher called on him.

"Do you have anything to add?" He looked up on the board. It read "Should Flag Burning be a Right?" He was in 9th grade history, most importantly American history.

"Yeah I do.. All of my so called friends you are not my friends anymore.. Sorry but if you think it's okay then that's what's wrong.. My dad and my stepdad both were best friends they both went into the Army.. My older cousin is in the Army.. The thing that means most to me is that Flag God and my family.. Because all of those things I know will always be with me.. These dog tags around my neck I've been told to take them off.. I'm not fuck you if you've ever told me.. Those three people they have risked their lives for you to have this so called right.. No it's not a right it is not freedom of speech.. It never will be freedom of speech.. Men Women they all lay down their lives taking their last breath underneath that flag.. And you give them so much disrespect Everytime you step on the flag.. I don't want to hear the I hate the government.. You can hate it.. But don't you dare go step on that flag claiming you hate them.. It's disgusting.. That's all I have to say.. Now if you want to add more anyone.. I'll be happy to back it up with facts.."

The teacher started clapping he knew damn well that was what he was going to say..

"Nicely said Easton.." Owen said tapping his shoulder..

The next morning was the funeral and Easton rather did want to go. He didn't want to see what his dad looked like he didn't want to see anything. He sat down and looked around at the Soldiers in their dress blues. Jay was in his.. Erin put Jack in clothes then put him in his car seat..

"How you holding up Jay?" Erin asked

"I don't know.. I really miss him.. I just want to turn back the clock and tell him about you and Jack.." Erin hugged him tight

"I know you do.." Jay clung tighter to his wife and buried his head in her chest..

Easton crossed his arms and looked around at everyone crying.. He didn't know his dad but deep down he knew him.. Deep down he knew he'd have to do something..
"Easton, would you like to say something?" Easton shook his head..

Easton choked back on the tears..
"No.." He said sternly. Jay shook his head as the soldier around his age asked.. Jay stood up fighting the tears..

"Brandon was my best friend, we had been through everything together. I met him in pre-k we were playing with these GI-Joe action figures and we both decided to go into the Army and be like Joe.. It was our thing from the time we were four to when we enlisted. He dated my twin in 5th grade I told him if he ever broke her heart, I'd have his head on a stick.. He didn't break her heart, she broke his... The month before we left, they were still dating both of them they dated 5 years I think.. I don't know.. Caroline left for New York for her internship a week later she was killed on 9/11... He was heartbroken we both were.... He never thought he'd find another girl... What I'm getting at is he saved my life and I saved his.. We were partners in crime the both of us. We pledged to save lives and do the best we could.. It was all because of him I met the love of my life and have three wonderful kids... And look at this Brandon I'm raising your son as my own.. I'll miss you partner.."

Easton turned his head and started crying. Erin put her arm around him and hugged him tighter..

"I wish I could've met him.." Easton said one last time, before Taps.. The soldiers blew their trumpets and those sounds reminded Jay of the funerals he had attended.. He was damn proud of his best friend and in this moment he'd never felt anymore braver,stronger or prouder for anything he's ever done... Everything he's done in his life saving those two kids. Marrying Erin having Jack and adopting Easton.. That moment made his life worth while..

Jay was gonna miss his best friend he already was.. The soldier came closer to Jay with the folded flag in his hand trying not to burst into tears.. Jay grabbed the flag from him and held it close to his chest like he had never felt a flag..

Easton walked over and let the soldier put the dog tags around his neck..

"You want me to keep these?" Easton asked looking up at Jay then back at the soldier.

"He was one of the bravest men I've ever met kid.. You were lucky.. Both of you.. He'd want you to keep it." The soldier with his white gloves on his hands wrapped the dog tags around his neck.

Easton tried cracking a tiny smile through the tears streaming down his face..

In that moment he had decided he was going to be a United States Army Ranger one day.. After high school..

This chapter brought back so many memories writing Filling Your Daddy's Shoes and I wrote that so much differently from this one and it made me cry writing this whole chapter.. Thanks for reading... In the next chapters this one included Im dedicating it to my Grandpa for he has inspired me to do the good I was destined to do, and he is proud of me.. I know he'd be proud if he read this... This is also dedicated to the Soldiers fighting overseas with Memorial Day coming up I'd like to thank you.... 💙❤️🙏🏻 Rest in Peace Heroes