A Collection of Imagines

John

So Sweet. So Innocent.

The plate in my hands feels heavy. My mother tells me everything is going to be ok. She puts some sort of rice on my plate, but I'm not really paying attention. My eyes fill with tears at her words. I know she planned this "family get-together" to cheer me up. It's not working. I'm too busy thinking about what the officers told me. M.I.A. M.I.A. M.I.A.

I'm not a deserter. It's not true. I don't know if they told her that. My car stops in the driveway of her childhood house. Naturally, I came here after finding her apartment vacant.

I feel a tug on my long floral skirt. I look down to find the 5 year old who shares his eyes. He points to a slice of watermelon on the table. It's too high for him to reach. I grab on from the bowl, handing it to him. There wasn't a "thank you". I let it slide. He hasn't spoken sense they came to our door.

I slam the door behind me. Speed walking to the front door. Loud music sounds from the backyard, making me change my course. I run towards the side door, opening it frantically. I glance up at her childhood bedroom window. The many memories of me sneaking up there during the night, so I can fall asleep on her chest. So sweet. So innocent.

I look back down at my plate. I don't know why I thought I could eat. I place it onto the table. I don't know why I came here. This house reeks of memories of him. A tear falls down my cheek. I look around the room, hoping no one saw me.

I finally enter the backyard. Her back is turned towards me, yet I know that she's not ok. My body freezes as I see her tremble. She's crying. Her mother beside her catches my eyes, gasping dramatically. I can hear the party going dead with everyone's eyes on me. As if they had seen a ghost.

My mother hits my shoulder violently. I whip my attention towards her, "What?" She points behind me. I turn around and ... silence. There he is. Standing at the side gate, wearing his military boots, camouflage army pants, black tank top and a prominent beard with his hair askew. Oh my god. He's alive.

She turns towards me and I know that she hasn't forgotten about me. Like she could, but still. I can tell she tried to look presentable. She's wearing a long skirt with yellow sunflowers as well as a white top. Her long hair falling down her back. However, her expression contradicts her appearance. Eyes pooling with tears. Once they meet mine, I feel my own tear ducts filling up as well.

He looks like he has gone through hell to get here. I don't want an explanation. I just want him in my arms. I take a step forward, picking up the pace as I go. I sob with every step. I don't care at this point if anyone sees me. He's alive.

She runs towards me. Every step makes my heart beat faster. She cries harder the closer she gets to me. Air comes out of my mouth like someone had punched me in the stomach. Tears falling down cheeks. She wraps her arms around my neck and I pick her up from her waist.

He pulls me up against himself. My hand goes through his hair, pulling at the root. I let out a cry when he kisses my cheek. My lips go everywhere around his face. His forehead, his cheeks, his eyelids, and finally landing on his lips. Missing this feeling the most. His mouth just as hungry as mine. He sets me down without unlocking his lips from mine. Hands go to cheeks.

My hands go to her cheeks. She tastes the same. Still sweet. Still innocent. My forehead rests on hers and she bursts further. "I'm not a deserter."

"No, I know. It's ok."

"I love you. I love you so much." The words fall out like a rushing stream.

"Dad!"

I hear a smaller voice behind her. She turns around and I see my son running towards us. I let go of her and fall to my knees. He comes quickly to me, hitting his body against mine hard. My right hand goes to his head and the other wraps around his waist. She crouches down and I open up to let her embrace the both of us. I got my family back. We all sob together in this position. I'm so thankful I survived. I love them so much. Her, for giving me him. Him, letting me keep her.