Short Stories

"Dad left: a flag came back"

~Flashback 4 years ago~
"Adam we need to go now" my mom was saying while holding her baby belly. My baby brother was is there. Me and dad are sitting on the couch watching a hockey game. "Okay, we're coming May. Come on Jake, put your shoes on." I did as I was told. As I was doing this mom was putting on her shoes and dad was doing the same and graded 3 bags from the closet. "Okay everyone in the car. May the car set is already in there. I got your bag, the baby's and Jake and mine." We left to the hospital. On the way dad called grandma when we arrived at the hospital she was waiting for us. Dad and mom went to a room while grandma and I went to the waiting room. 7 hours later, dad finally came and got us. "Are you ready to meet your baby brother?" I said yes and I was smiling. We walked into mom's room and saw her holding a small blanket which was my baby brother. As I walked closer, mom said, "Jake meet your baby brother, Sawyer Andrew." He was very small. I loved him the moment I saw him. I'm a big brother. June 20, 2013 I will always remember this day. I said to them. They smiled. "We will too, Jake." Dad said and was holding Sawyer. 8 years old and finally had a complete family.

-Flashback over 4 years later-
June 20, 2017. Today is Sawyer's 4th birthday. We are having his birthday cake now. I'm now 12 years old. As we are singing "happy birthday" to Sawyer I look around the table. Mom, Sawyer, me, grandma, uncle Eric and aunt Katie are here. Dad was over in Afghanistan fighting for our country. He's been gone for 47 days and will be back in 107 days. We miss him so much. Sawyer blows out his candles, 'Happy Birthday.' Mom cute the cake for us. I remember when I first met him. I love my baby brother. After we are done we have him open his letter form dad. He is sad that he's missing his birthday again. This is his 2nd birthday that he has been gone for.
'My dearest Sawyer,
Happy 4th birthday. I'm so sorry that I'm missing it. But I'm doing my job and keeping the bad guys away from home. The past 4 years I've watch you grow so much. I can still remember when I first saw you in your mommy's tummy. I cried because I've been hoping for you. I love you and Jack. I hope that you are listening to mommy and Jack. Be brave, I'll be home soon. When I get home we'll go fishing and to Texas Road house. I love you to the moon and back Sawyer Andrew.
Love Daddy.'
Everyone was crying after mom read this to Sawyer. Dad always knew what to say. I couldn't describe the feeling we have from his letters. Happy, Hope, Love, Bravery and Strong. He has it all. We talked awhile then Aunt Katie and Uncle Eric left. We went to bed, leaving the light on for dad. For when he comes home again soon.

-17 days later-
Sawyer and I are playing NHL 17 on our Xbox One in the living room. Mom is in the kitchen making some cookies for a school bake sale. There was a knock on the door. I parsed the game and yelled 'I got it' to mom. It was about 4:30pm on July 7th. It was probably the mail man with something. I open the door and saw 2 guys dressed in military uniforms. This wasn't good. "Hey Jack is your mom home?" One asked. I couldn't speak. I couldn't think right. At that moment I knew something bad has happened today. Then mom came over and said "Jack who is ..." Then she saw them. She started crying. "Mrs. Malaya, I'm sorry I have to tell you this but your husband Adam was killed 2 days ago." I started crying. Dad left and never be back home. I won't see him again. That night we change the light on the pour champagne to green. To have it for when Dad comes home. We all slept in mom's bed together. Crying to each other. We have to be strong. I have to be strong cause I'm now the man of the house.
October 5th 2017.
Today. We didn't go to school or work. We went to breakfast and when to the cemetery to bust Dad. We brought lunch and the flag we got. And sat and visited for a while. This was the day that Dad was supposed to come home. But we are in the cemetery with the last thing we got from him, an American Flag. Dad left: a flag came back.