When Amir didn't come home on August 12 as planned, I didn't think much of it. He was often late. I always told myself he was out on a mission- like my own personal secret agent. I laughed to myself quietly at that thought as I filled the cat dish with food. I sat on the counter and watched him do his usual three-kibble taste test when there was a knock at the door
It startled calvin and he ran off to hide behind the sofa. Filled with curiosity, I hopped off the counter and walked to the door. I looked through the peephole only to find that which every person who loves a soldier fears the most. I slid the door chain open and turned the lock. I couldn't breathe as I pulled the door open.
I stared in silence at the two uniformed officers. "I understand English is your first language", one of the men said, as he took off his hat, almost as if he were ashamed. I replied only with a slight nod. "Are you Delilah?" I choked back the thoughts and tears and once again replied only with a nod.
"I am very sorry to have to inform you..." The words ran together as I fell to my knees. The other man picked me up and carried me to the sofa. "These were among his belongings..." I looked up again the first man held out a plastic marked "Amir Yohansen." I swallowed hard as I opened it. His dog-tags. I began to cry. His wedding ring, a picture of us. It hurt even worse knowing that he loved me so much.
I pulled out a little white sealed envelope. The front read "To my beloved Lilah." I opened it only to find four lines:
Talk of a beautiful place,
A place we'll all be soon,
My darling I will see you there,
Meet you there at noon.
I was confused. Noon? What happens at noon? I looked up at the still standing officers. Though my tears, I commanded them to sit down. I folded the note again and put it in my lap, guarding it with my hands. "What time did he..." I choked on my tears once again and couldn't finish. "08:00", sighed the now-sitting officer. "Then why noon?!" I demanded. "What happens at noon?!" I began to sob. Neither man said anything- it would seem they were as perplexed as I.
It startled calvin and he ran off to hide behind the sofa. Filled with curiosity, I hopped off the counter and walked to the door. I looked through the peephole only to find that which every person who loves a soldier fears the most. I slid the door chain open and turned the lock. I couldn't breathe as I pulled the door open.
I stared in silence at the two uniformed officers. "I understand English is your first language", one of the men said, as he took off his hat, almost as if he were ashamed. I replied only with a slight nod. "Are you Delilah?" I choked back the thoughts and tears and once again replied only with a nod.
"I am very sorry to have to inform you..." The words ran together as I fell to my knees. The other man picked me up and carried me to the sofa. "These were among his belongings..." I looked up again the first man held out a plastic marked "Amir Yohansen." I swallowed hard as I opened it. His dog-tags. I began to cry. His wedding ring, a picture of us. It hurt even worse knowing that he loved me so much.
I pulled out a little white sealed envelope. The front read "To my beloved Lilah." I opened it only to find four lines:
Talk of a beautiful place,
A place we'll all be soon,
My darling I will see you there,
Meet you there at noon.
I was confused. Noon? What happens at noon? I looked up at the still standing officers. Though my tears, I commanded them to sit down. I folded the note again and put it in my lap, guarding it with my hands. "What time did he..." I choked on my tears once again and couldn't finish. "08:00", sighed the now-sitting officer. "Then why noon?!" I demanded. "What happens at noon?!" I began to sob. Neither man said anything- it would seem they were as perplexed as I.
posted by Teddy at 11:33 AM
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