Sammy's Hope

Back on tour and the sell of the house

After the funeral we just stayed together and bond. We sold some of their stuff. I collected all my awards and trophies. And put them in a box. I put it in the truck. I kept some of mom and dads things. Like dads sweatshirt. A watch. A quilt mom made when I was younger. When I sold the house and had everything packed away or sold off I stood in front of a Sam who a tears streaming down his face. I give him a hug.
"Now Sammy I have a couple things I want to give you. They were mom and dads. You want them?" He nodded and wiped his face.
I handed him moms quilt.
"This was moms. She made it when I was younger. She was on leave so she made it. Now I'm giving it to you." I said. He smiled. He smelled it.
I hand him a hoodie. It was grey with worn letters. The smell of dads cologne on it.
"This was dads old hoodie. From college I believe. And when your wearing it. I bet you can feel a warm hug." I said with a tear trailing down his face. He hugged me. I kissed his head. I heard a car pull up. Out popped a family. The son wore a cowboy hat. They walked up to me. They give a sad smile. I give a nod.
"Hello you must be the Johnson family. My Name is Sammy Jacobs. And this is my little brother Sam Jacobs." I said shaking their hands.
"Nice to meet you. I'm sorry for your loss." Mr. Johnson said.
"Yeah. I'm sure we'll find a new adventure. Um the power is on also the water its good till next month in which it will be your responsibility to pay. The furniture is still in there. You can replace and sell the old ones if you want. There's stables in the back. Unfortunately we had no live stock it was pretty much a work space for wood working. The master bedroom is on the top floor. The kids room is just down the hall. There is a bathroom on the top and one on the bottom. It was mostly modern. And the closet on the bottom floor by the stair you may want to block that off for your son until you make sure it's safe for him. The elementary is ten miles out. The middle school is fifteen and the high school is 20 miles. There will be snakes but they are all harmless." I said. I hand them the keys and the title. They smile and nod.
"Thank you." They said. The man handed me a money order.
"Would your son like a piece of candy?" I ask.
"Uh sure what do you have." The man asked.
I led them to the back of the truck.
I open it up to show shelves of chocolate, bags of hope and a little bit of boxes.
"Woah that's a lot of candy!" Said the kid wide eyed.
"Yes it is. I go around schools and gather bags of hope is what I call them. They are for the veterans of the military or the family's who lost a member. To push them giving them hope to go on. I grabbed an open bag and sit on the tail. The kid looks through the bag.
"So your in the military?" Mr. Johnson asked.
"Yes I've been of four tours. I've been in it since I graduated high school at the age of fourteen." I said.
"Woah that's an achievement." They complemented.
"Yeah but there is a reason I worked hard and to prove I was good enough. And when I left and never came home my parents opened their eyes to what they did. In hope of my brother to lead the same path as me they named him after me. I missed his first steps and first words. I didn't meet him till he was four and I just finished getting my degree. I met him one day but I got a job in Virginia with the FBI. Then I was called to my fourth tour in which I was one of the 25 survivors of my camp. I'm doing this for them and all my fallen parents. I crashed at their places when in break I would raid the fridge then scold me on stilling their cookies. It was cool. I just wish they were still alive today." I said wiping my face. They gave me a sad smile. I check the time.
"Sammy why don't you get comfortable and buckle up we have a long drive to Washington." I said. He nods and hugs me. He gets in the front seat and buckled up. I turn to see the family.
"It's his birthday next week. And I have the meeting with the president on the same day. Then we are off to England." I said.
"I bet he will love that present." Mrs. Johnson said sweetly.
"Yeah. We're going through a rough patch. Our parents died two weeks ago. He's saddened that they weren't able to be alive until he hits the double digits. He's turning nine. I'm sure he'll be fine. I've been home schooling him since we went on tour six months ago." I said. I stand up and place the candy away and shut the door. And secured it.
We gave a hug.
"There's a diner by the elementary. It would be good till you get groceries tomorrow. The store is down the street from the diner." I said.
"Thanks we appreciate the info." Mr. Johnson said.
"Welcome." I said. I get in the truck and put on the seat belt. I pull out of the drive way. And started down the road towards Washington.