My Name Is Naomi

Chapter Seventeen

WWI

November, 1918

End of the War

David stood there in the graveyard, listening to the cheering and celebrating in the streets. World War I was finally over. He had been allowed to finally return to his wife and daughter. And oh what a beauty his daughter was. She was exactly as his wife described her and more. She had the deepest chocolate brown eyes he had ever seen and beautiful auburn curls like his wife. Her cheeks were rosy and her laugh twinkled like little sleigh bells.

"She's a beautiful girl." David said, the first time he had ever set eyes on her. He lifted his daughter into the air, cuddling her close. "I'm going to have to work hard to keep those boys away when she's older."

"You'll do no such thing." His wife swatted his arm. "How else is she supposed to find a husband if you are scaring them all away?"

Now, he stood in the graveyard, his wife's arm slung around his waist, hugging him close as she held her daughter with her other arm. They stood there silently before the gravestone that read:

Jeremiah Alexander Smith

February 2, 1898-August 21, 1918

David bowed his head, clenching his fists in anger. It seemed so unfair that his friend had to die. He would never get to see the aftermath of the war and the joy of meeting a girl and having a family. He wouldn't even get to see Joanna growing up. It made David furious. He had gained a daughter, but he had lost a wonderful friend. Wasn't that how wars always worked? You never came out unscarred or broken. But you never came out empty handed, either.

"David, it's getting chilly." Mary Grace tugged their daughter's hat over her ears, keeping Joanna from catching a cold.

"You go on ahead. I just...I need a moment." David said, a choking sob making his throat tighten up.

Mary Grace kissed his cheek, "Come home soon."

He nodded, listening to her retreating footsteps. When she was gone, he sat down on his knees, listening to the heavy silence in the air. Everyone had gone home because there wasn't anymore sounds coming from the streets. All he could hear was the rustling of the wind in the trees. David could smell the storm in the air that was coming. The clouds were gray and heavy looking.

He placed his fingers on the headstone, bowing his head, "Thank you, friend, for your service to our country. And just for being there for me..."

David swallowed back his words, feeling too choked up to go on. He nodded and stepped away. David turned on his heel and headed towards home, aching for the sight of his wife holding his daughter. He wanted to go home and eat dinner with this for the first time in a year. He wanted to be with his family and shower them with love and adoration. Somehow, he knew that's what Jeremiah would want, as well.

Copyright © 2017 by Rosanna Parker

All Rights Reserved

Hey, so I'm getting really close to wrapping up this book! I promise all of the loose ties will come together at the end and I won't leave any questions unanswered. But the biggest questions right now seem to be, will Naomi make to America? Will she and Wolfgang be reunited again? It would seem so unfair and evil of me to leave this story with such a terrible ending, but I'm not making any promises so you'll just have to keep reading to find out!

Remember to vote and comment and always keep reading! 😊

-Rosanna