People gathered on the tarmac near the aircraft. The others from the company found their loved ones. The cargo bay door opened slowly on the C-130, and the sun was almost blinding.The other soldiers looked relaxed and happy, but I stood as rigid and seemingly unfeeling as in the field.
"Bugler! Taps!" The Sergent called.
I took my place on the side of the metal casket. The tune began, and we walked out solemnly. Two boxes emerged from the plane to the others standing at attention with a salute, my mother and sister in shock.
When war broke out in '01, my father was called into active duty. I was only about eleven, and my sister was ten. As the years passed, I felt a longing inside me to join the military. I did it as soon as I got out of high school. I was the youngest in my senior class, being 17 not 18. I was lucky to be placed in the platoon under my father's command. Then I noticed one more familiar face. Alex, my sister's boyfriend and now a high school dropout, was in my company.
Those two brave men died in the line of duty. And I carried my father home that day at the airport.
**********
Once we had finished the march procession, my mother and my sister came up to me in shock.
My sister, who I hadn't seen in a year, had almost never looked more beautiful then she had there. She has a near hourglass figure. Her hips are almost perfectly proportioned to her 22D breasts. Her legs are long and muscular. She's tall, about 5'10". She has long brown hair that she has always let flow freely down her back. Her big green eyes make men melt, and her smile is the sweetest thing anyone will ever see.
"ANDREW! What happened! Where is your father?" My mom asked in complete disbelief.
I stood. Not a word escaped me.
"Where's Alex?" Ashley asked.
"They're both gone." I whispered.
I looked up at them both. Mom had turned away, and Ash was crying. The only thing to make you look away from her hypnotic eyes was her running mascara. She suddenly lurched forward, and hugged me. Her grip becoming tight. Never had she been so attached. We had always been friends, but she had never shown so much affection. I thought it was the spur of the moment, and classified it as such in my mind.
**********
The air was clear. The sky was blue, not a cloud in the sky. It's the kind of day that makes a person happy. Ironic, an outdoor funeral for two great men taking place. As the only soldier to show up, I stayed in uniform. I stood out, but the only others were the men to administer the flags and play taps.
I had still not told the full story. I had tried my hardest to cover up my wounds, lying about the scars on my cheek near my lip. People needed to know the truth.
"Good afternoon." I introduced, standing at the microphone. "It may not be very good. I do have a few words. I admit, I haven't been honest about what happened. You don't know the whole story." I said. "The whole story, is not what you may expect. Two weeks ago, we were on final rotation in Baghdad. Activity had been low. We patrolled the crowded market streets, an average routine. Then, Staff Sergent James McHale, my father, spotted a man in the crowd. Private First Class Alex Carr and I followed him as he bounded through the streets. I tripped over myself, and lost pace. Then the fateful cry no soldier wants to hear was screamed. 'ALLAH AKBAR!' The man screamed. Instincts took over, and instead of pulling back my comrades, I grabbed a mother and her daughter and covered them from the blast. I felt a sting as the shrapnel entered me, and ignored it as I ran to find the two who I had left." I said. "Alex was killed instantly. My father lay there. As I grabbed him and radioed for a medic, he looked at me. I tried to explain, but he just told me he." I paused. "He was proud that I made the right decision. He died there. I disregarded family and friends to save someone I had never even known existed until moments before. I'm sorry." I said. I felt myself begin to cry, and finished my speech. "One final thing. I take responsibility for the death of PFC Carr. My sister's boyfriend had always looked up to me, and followed me into the service. I feel it's my fault." I said, being interrupted.
"It wasn't your fault Andrew. My boy died serving his country. I'm proud he was able to fight with you. We don't blame you for anything." Said his father.
Then the bugler played taps as they were lowered into the ground. Gunshots filled the air and everyone jumped. I saluted. Then, I approached my family. My sister's first reaction was to slap me. On the scarred side of my face. It stang, but I looked past it and into my mother's face. She just nodded. Thats how she forgave us in this family. I felt my waist being constricted and looked down to see Ashley's arms coming around my stomach. I heard her muffled sobs in my back. I turned myself around as best I could. I tried to move, but couldn't. I picked her up in my arms, and carried her away.
**********
The next morning, I rolled over in my bed and hit a wall of hair. My eyes shot open. Ashley was right next to me, her back to me.
"Jesus Ash! What the hell are you doing in my bed!?!" I yelled at her.
"What?" She asked with a yawn. "Oh, sorry Andrew. I'm just really sad." She said.
"That still doesn't explain it." I shot back.
"Well, you remember when we were little and I was always scared of thunderstorms?" She asked.
I nodded.
"Well, you always invited me to stay the night with you. You always made me feel safe, secure, and happy." She said.
"Well, of course. Thats a big brother's job. Keeping his little sis happy, safe, and secure. I didn't think you'd still do this though." I replied. "I know you miss dad and Alex. I don't mind. Just tell me next time." I said, sitting up and smiling a bit.
I could see the tears welling in her eyes, but she smiled. She leaned in and gave me a hug. I felt her hand move up and down my back once before she pushed me back.
"Where'd you get all of the scars?" She asked.
"I told everyone. I sacrificed my safety to protect a woman and her child. The frag from the bomb cut the hell out of my back." I replied.
"Oh yeah." She said.
I wiped the tears from her eyes, and looked at her.
"You okay?" I asked.
She nodded.
"Come on, let's go downstairs." I said as I stood up, pulling on a pair of fatigue pants.
"Carry me?" She asked, almost begging while she outstretched her arms.
I leaned down and she wrapped her arms around my neck. I grabbed underneath her knees with one arm, and her shoulders with the other. She giggled as we walked down.
"My, aren't you two happy." Mom said.
"We're just remembering old times, mom." I said.
"Well, I'm glad you two are enjoying each others company. I'm going to Vermont at the end of the week to be with your grandmother. She's having a hard time with the loss of her son. Andrew, take care of your sister for me while I'm gone." She said.
I had no choice but to agree. Ashley hadn't looked happier since I came home. I waited for mom to leave the kitchen so I could give Ashley the last thing Alex had with him when he died.
"Ash, here." I said, handing her the wallet size photo of her.
