Broken Heart

The First Words.

October 4, 2016

He was in his uniform.

On his way to a military funeral. He part of the firing squad. He met us at the parking lot in the middle of town where the honor guard meet to catch the bus for the funerals. As we got in the honor guard bus I sat in the back with a few of the guys I knew from going to the funerals with my grandma. I sat with Joe Mason and Jackson Lovely, but little did I know I was about to meet someone that would change my life forever. As I took my favorite seat in the back of the bus a tall man came to the back and asked if he could sit with me. Not wanting to be rude I said of course and shifted a little so he could sit down. Joe and Jackson looked at each other then at me. I shrugged my shoulders and looked straight ahead, not wanting to make eye contact with this strange man that sat next to me. Joe had told me before he was a new honor guard and he didn't really talk much.

As the rest of the guys got on the bus and settled down for the hour drive to the cemetery I looked back at Joe and he asked if I was alright. I told him I was and he nodded his head. The bus engine started and we were off. I hadn't looked at the strange man since he asked if he could sit down. I sneaked a glance to my left to catch a glimpse of the man sitting next to me.

He was really attractive for an old man. He looked about forty-five. He was thin with salt and pepper hair, light grey eyes, a sharp jaw line, and soft lips. As I let my eyes move lower I noticed he had a bit of muscle under his coat. He had his large hands folded over his lap. They looked rough from working. I quickly turned my attention back to the front of the bus as he turn his head my direction. I could feel him staring at me. I felt a hand go up my bare leg to the hem of my dress. He rubbed my thigh a little before moving his hand back to his own lap. Then he spoke his voice like honey.

''My name is Luther, whats yours?''

''I'm Lana.''

''Your LeAnn's Granddaughter, right?''

''Yup, she is a little crazy but I still love her.''

''I think she is pretty smart for a blonde woman.''

We couldn't help but laugh at that. He had the most amazing laugh. He flashed me a smile with a dozen white teeth.

''How old are you Lana?''

''15, How old are you?''

''Too old.''

''Tell me.''

''58.''

''Whens your birthday Luther?''

''May 17, What about yours.''

''October 27.''

We started talking about my school and grades, his job, and our hobbies.

I found out he loves gardening and growing vegetables.

We pulled up to the cemetery and the guys started to get up and stretch and got off the bus me and Luther were among the last ones to get off. As the guys got their guns we heard the commander yell for everyone to get in their places.

''Guess thats my que.''

Luther winked at me as he walked away and grabbed his rifle.

Commander: ''Firing squad here, Ready, Aim, Fire!''

He repeated this  three times and every time seven guns were fired at once echoing off the mountains.

Commander: ''Left turn, fall out.''

Then they played taps, presented the flag and with that they left the cemetery with no words. I stood back with the bus while I waited for them to come back. When he finally got back to where I was he put his rifle in the back of the bus and helped me back to our seat in the back. When we sat down he put his hand back on my thigh rubbing slightly.

''You look really beautiful in that dress.''

''Thank you.''

He trailed his hand higher up my thigh until he was almost touching my core. I let out a small moan and he laughed.

''Good thing no one else is on the bus yet right, Lana.''

''Yeah, good thing.''

He moved away a little and gave me some space as the guys got on the bus. On the way home he bent down to fix his sock and ran his hand up the lower part of my leg causing me to let out a soft moan. He smiled at me when he sat back up.

''I will stop teasing you for now.'' He whispered this softly into my ear and I  just stared at him. When we pulled back into the paring lot to let the guys go back to their cars and trucks, Luther told me to come over to his truck. He unlocked his truck and pulled out a pencil and notepad from the glove box and wrote something down, then he slipped the paper into my hand and got in to his truck. He smiled and waved as he started his truck and drove off.

My grandmother noticed this, I quickly tucked the paper in to my pocket as she grabbed my shoulder and pushed me into the car.

She started her 2014 challenger and pulled out of the parking lot. She watched me out of the corner of her eye as she started to speak.

''I don't know what the hell that was about but I don't want you around him. I don't trust him after he smiled at you like that.''

''Like what?''

''He had a look on his face, I don't trust him and you shouldn't either.''

''Gram he is just an old man trying to be nice.''

''Lana please, just stay away from him unless Joe or I'm with you. I don't want anything bad to happen to you.''

''Fine I will stay away from him.''

''Thank you baby girl I love you.''

''I love you to gram.''

With that said we slowly drove back to the house. When I got there I made dinner and put it in the over then I ran upstairs and took the paper out of my pocket. I opened it and in neat hand writing was a phone number scribbled across with a little note with it.

'Call at 9:15pm

Look forward to talking with you.'