A Broken Soldier

1.Pieces

Justin

I felt the crunch of the snow beneath my steel toe boots as I walked defiantly up to my wife and I's home. I clutched my duffle bag as I carried myself up the creaky wooden steps. I could never get those stairs to stop that awful noise, even though I put this entire house together by hand. I remembered wanting it to be perfect for her, Leanna, I suppose I couldn't fulfill my wishes.

I took a deep breath as I sat my bag down beside me. I couldn't wait to have my hands on her beautiful face, kissing her beautiful lips, breathing in all of her as my sorrows and pain from what I endured back in the middle east slowly wither away and die. I will love like I never loved her before as soon as I step inside of this house. Appreciate her just a little more. I know she missed me just as much as I missed her.

I lifted my fisted hand to knock on our door. My eyes travelled to my left when I heard a door close next door, a man that I hadn't known before I left jogged down his steps and headed to his car in the driveway. It made me realize how much I've missed doing the simplest things, such as leaving for work after kissing my sweet Leanna goodbye.

My eyes slowly travelled back to our front door as it creaked open. My eyes met her blue ones. She looked much more beautiful as she did when I left her crying 3 years ago. My heart sank to my stomach that day. Knowing I wouldn't wake up to her kisses every morning anymore. But that is no more. Her lips opened, and I heard the voice that I constantly dreamt about in my bunker back at base. I yearned to hear it for 3 long years....and now my wish came true as that voice filled my frostbitten ears....

"Justin....." She breathed. I blinked back my tears, licking my chapped lips, I answered her, "Leanna...."

I take her in my arms before she could say anything else. I squeeze her tightly, my eyebrows furrowed in sadness at leaving her for such a long time. How could I? How could I do that to her? My fingers entangled into her long golden locks, I inhaled her sweet scent. The smell of chamomile. God I missed her.

I stroked her back as she stroked mine. "I've missed you so much," I breathed into her neck. I allow my tears to freely flow onto her shoulders and neck. She let go of me, much too soon. I slowly slide my hand down the back of her head, leading it away from her, tugging at the ends of her hair as I stepped back.

I looked at her with confusion. She looked at me as if she was nervous. She looked down at the wooden floors, and then up again at me. "Is there something wrong, Lee?" I felt my stomach develop tight knots. What is she about to tell me? Is she going to tell me that she's found someone else?

No. That can't be, she's my everything. She promised me that she'd love me forever. She told me that on the day I left for Pakistan.

She loves me.

She brings her trembling hands up to her mouth, her eyelids fluttered closed, tears immediately followed after, running down her blushed cheeks. My eyebrows furrowed, my eyes glossed over yet again.

She's just happy to see me right ? She's glad that I'm back? Yeah.....that's it.

But any optimistic thoughts became ghostly, withering in the back of my mind, as I gazed upon the engagement ring placed perfectly upon her dainty ring finger.

I......did not giver her that.

My breath hitched within my throat as I felt my chest tighten.

I felt my lip quiver as I let my voice bellow out of my aching body, "L-Leanna......wh-what's going on?"

I felt my soul shrivel up within my hollow shell that I call a body, it backed away into a dark corner that slowly became darker........and darker.....as I looked my lover over. My eyes trying to find hope that this was all a misunderstanding.