CHECK OUT THE FIRST CHAPTER OF MY NEWEST STORY: THE FALLEN SOLDIER

"When my dad met my mom, they fell in love at first sight. They had shared only a few words and a few looks, but they knew that they would be together for a very long time. Only two years after their first meeting, they greeted each other in a church and recited their vows. The Chaplain pronounced them husband and wife.

They always said that their greatest achievement was something no one could take away from them. It wasn't a ring and it wasn't a promise. It was something that would always be theirs.

Me.

My mom gave birth to me five years and two days after their wedding. "It was like a dream come true," she said. My dad would never forget it. He got there just in time to support his wife during that painful event. He never admitted it, but I think he ran multiple red lights.

He was a proud Colonel, always serving his country in the US Army as infantry. It was that instance that almost kept him from the birth of his first and only child. But being a Soldier was his childhood dream, and he never gave up on it. We supported his decision, despite missing him for so long and fearing for his life.

We had to move a lot, and I was fine with that. It was difficult to make new friends, but I did every time, again and again, because that is what my Dad taught me. He taught me the values of kindness and peace among other things, and reminded me of them every time he came back from deployment.

He would surprise me. Sometimes he was my birthday present and jumped out of a big cardboard box. Other times he was my treasure, and I would get a treasure map in the mailbox so that I could find him. He even was my credit card and surprised me when I wanted to pay for the dress I would wear on my first date. When I least expected it, he would show up. At my prom, at my graduation, at the times he told me he was abroad, that's when he stood before me and wrapped me in his arms.

Every day he wasn't home, I wondered about him. Would today be the day he surprised me? Or would today be the day he died? When the doorbell rang, I would hope it was him, casually standing in front of our door, smiling at me and opening his arms for a hug.

But one day it wasn't him. One day I opened the door and saw two Soldiers. One of them was holding a letter, and I knew what it meant. Still I watched Mom open the letter and cry before I gave in to the truth.

My dad, the amazing Colonel Michael Foster, was killed in action during the battle of Fallujah. He was a true hero, the letter said, but I never read the details. I didn't want to imagine how he was in pain, or where he blew out his last breath. I wasn't a child anymore, but I still cried in the arms of my mom until we both fell asleep.

He was not just a hero to the Army, but also to me. He was a great man and the best father I could ever imagine. But now he is gone, and I have to live the rest of my life hoping he can look down at me with a smile.

Daddy, I hope I don't disappoint you."

After wiping a tear off my cheek, I turned to his coffin. I wanted to smile at it because it would prove that I would be alright. But I couldn't smile knowing my dad was gone.

Ever since receiving the letter of his passing, I wished it was just a joke. Maybe it was another surprise and tomorrow he'd be at my door. But he never showed up. It was only when the funeral started and I saw the closed coffin, that I realized he was really gone.

My dad would never surprise me anymore. He would never tell me of his great adventures or make my mom laugh so hard, it looked like she would choke. He was good like that. Always happy and ready to make other people's day even greater. Nothing stood in the way for his happiness.

"He was also a good Colonel and a great man," the Brigade Sergeant Major of the Army had said. Many of his superiors were in awe with what he did, while those lower in rank looked up to his authority. "He was one of the best," the Sergeant said.

All those words were kind, but they didn't help me. My dad wouldn't return because of their kind words. He would be proud, there was no doubt about that. But he wouldn't come back to me anymore.

After the eulogy, I returned to my chair next to my mom. She was holding a white handkerchief to her teary, red eyes. It wasn't easy losing a loved one. People say it's easier to deal with this sort of grief, because you know there's always a chance your loved one will die in battle. But that wasn't true at all. Death was still death, and it would never be easy.

The Chaplain continued with the ceremony while Mom took my hand and squeezed it. "That was very beautiful, Quin," she said, choking back tears. I squeezed back, but kept my eyes in front of me. I couldn't watch Mom cry, because then I would too.

Tears were already burning my eyes, but I managed to keep them to myself. I had already cried so many tears. One day I wouldn't have any fluids left in me anymore.

I didn't know how much time passed. I blindly watched the Chaplain and deafly listened to his words. My mom suddenly left, and I hadn't even realized it. Only when the six honor guards folded the flag, did I look at the empty chair next to him.

Filled with disappointment I watched the presenter of the flag walk my way and kneeled before me. Then he recited, "On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service."

Tears streamed out of my eyes now, and I blindly reached for the folded up American flag. Through my blurred vision, I saw the honor guard nod encouragingly at me before he stood up and returned to the Chaplain.

I watched my tears fall on the flag while the ceremony continued. I couldn't manage to look at the Chaplain anymore, nor at the honor guards. The only time I did look up was when the Commissioned Officer in Charge commanded the three gunshots to be fired in the air. This was what Dad deserved. This was his honor. So I lifted my head and watched the riffles spit out the volley casings.

My father was gone. He earned honor and respect for what he had done, but no matter how many bullets fired, he wouldn't return.

Read the story here: https://www.wattpad.com/story/231037195-the-fallen-soldier