After the War- A GerIta Reunion

After the War

I drum my fingers on the steering wheel in anticipation as I turn down the driveway. Why does this driveway have to be so long? I can't wait. Two years. Two long, terrible years. But finally, I get to see him again.

I park the car in front of the house, throw the door open, and leap from the vehicle. I run up to the door, then realize I left the key in the ignition, and the car running. I glance back at the car, and debate between leaving it and being good and turning it off. I finally sigh, knowing that he would scold me for leaving the car running. I walk back over and turn off the car, placing the key in my breast pocket. Then I run back to the door and pull out my key.

He gave me a key years ago, when he realized I would find a way in even if the door was locked. I carefully go to put the key into the lock, but to my surprise, it doesn't fit. "Ve... That's a problem..." I mumble to myself. He must have had the locks changed recently. Strange. He never did that the whole time I knew him. Why would he do it now? I put my key back into my pocket and instead ring the doorbell.

"RIIIIINGGGG!!!! RRRRINNNNNGG!!!" It seems to shriek, the sound piercing the otherwise silent atmosphere, but the door remains firmly shut. I frown. Why isn't he answering? I knock on the door. "BANG BANG BANG" again, no response. "Damn it!" I yell in frustration. Four years of living among soldiers has certainly changed my vocabulary. My new boss mistook me for Romano a few days ago, due to my language. I bonk my forehead against the door in frustration. Then I just stand there, my head leaning against the door. I sigh. Looks like I have to find another way in. If he won't open the door, there is a reason, and I will find out what that reason is.

My greatest fear right now is that the reason that the door remained closed is that he doesn't want to see me. That after two years apart, he doesn't like me anymore. Doesn't love me.

I run quickly and quietly around the side of the house. There is a back door, and if I am lucky, he will have forgotten to lock it when he took the dogs out this morning.

As I round the corner, I am suddenly met by a loud barrage of sound, as all of the dogs start barking at the same time. They all quiet down when they recognize me. I slowly walk up and pat them on the head. "Hey Blackie. Hey Berlitz. How have you been Aster? Why are you all outside?" He never leaves the dogs outside. Ever! It would be too easy for a stranger to come by and steal one, or for one to run off! I start to worry.

I carefully step over Berlitz, the German Shepherd, and walk over to the back door. I carefully turn the knob, but again, the door is locked. "Shit." I mutter to myself. I really do sound like fratello.

I pick my way between the dogs and off the porch. I walk from window to window, trying each one. All locked. Finally, I reach the back door again, having done a full circle of the house. I sigh, and place my hands on my hips. Well, I didn't want to do this, but all the evidence points to him being injured or worse, so I have to get in there. I walk over to one of the large trees near the house and pick up a large branch that fell down. This will work. I walk back over to the house, and take a breath. Well, here goes nothing. If he is okay, he will kill me for this.

I swing the branch, and break one of the windows. I drop the branch and hoist myself in the window. All those pull-ups he made me do have really helped. I crawl into the house and drop to the floor, quiet as a cat. I stand up and brush myself off. Then I take a look around. The house has a closed-up smell, like it hasn't seen fresh air in a long time.

I slowly walk around, turning on lights as I go. There is dust everywhere. This is wrong. This house is always so orderly. So clean. There wasn't a speck of dust last time I saw it. I slowly make my way upstairs, searching every room I pass for the man I know should be here. I call his name a few times, but receive no response.