The Veteran

The Connection

As everyone was sleeping, Victor kept having his flashbacks. "Die well, we'll all be reunited in the afterlife." These words kept going through Victors head as he slept, as well as the grusome memory of Anthony being killed.
Victor began to yell in his sleep and he sat straight up, panting and sweating. He turned to his right and saw Taylor staring at him.
"I'm sorry, did i wake you." Asked Victor
"No, I was already awake. I watch over my mom at night to make sure she's safe."
Victor smiled
"My dad used to be in the miltary, just like you."
"Was he now? He must have been a noble man."
"He was." Taylor chuckled " I remember, everytime he came home, he'd tell me stories of the war and how he would fight bad guys with his partner."
Victor sat up straight. "Yeah, I have some good stories of the war too with my partner."
"I bet they weren't as good as my dad's. He'd always tell the best ones. Id always wait for him to come home and tell me stories. But one day, he didn't come back."
"I'm sorry for your loss, I know how it feels. To lose someone close, someone you love."
"It's okay, he left me a message in his will, it said 'dont worry son, even though i have died, we will all be together in the afterlife."
Victor's head perked up.
"What did you say?" Asked Victor
"I said that he left me a message saying ' dont worry son, even though i have died, we will all be together in the afterlife."
"What was your dad's name?"
"Anthony Tuller"
Victor was shocked with realization. Could it be possible, that this son and woman, were the wife and son of his old partner.
"What's wrong Mr. James?" Asked Taylor worried
"Your father.....your father was my old partner. Thise stories of him and his partner, were of me and him."
Taylor was amazed. The two of them just stared at eachother and thought about Anthony.
Suddenly Janice sat up. Tears ran down her face.
"You knew my husband?"
"Yes ma'm, I did."
She wiped her tears away and asked "You fought by his side?"
"Al the time." He answered
"Okay, I trust you. If ylu were able to protect him throughout all those times, then i can trust you to protect me."
Victor smiled and laid down as did everyone else. Before anyone fell asleep Taylor told Victor "Thank you, without you, my dad wouldn't have been able to tell me all the great stories, and i sould have no memories of him." Victor grinned and fell asleep, and finally, that night, he slept with peace. No flashbacks or horrible memories. Just sweet, quiet peace.