It was the first day back in my hometown. I felt a bit different because everything was so quite. Days ago I left collage and wanted to go to America. I really wanted to live my own life. That I am now here again, in Holmes Chapel was the last thing on my to-do list. Sighing, I unlocked the door and stepped into my old home. My parents would certainly spend the rest of their days here. For some reason, this realization made me smile. "Mom, Dad, is anyone home?" I called from the hall and put my keys on the dresser. Exuberantly, I was hugged by my mother when I entered the living room. "You're finally home," she muttered with tears in her eyes. Laughing, I wiped a tear from her cheek "Don't cry, Mom, I'm here now and I'm not leaving." But before I could say anything, my mom burst into tears and fell into my arms. Somewhat frightened by the situation, I held her tightly in my arms. "what's happening?" I asked softly and was very worried. "They just took him away, he did not want to go to war, but they just forced him." she sobbed. I looked around and noticed that the house was very quiet. "They... took dad ...?" I whispered and was close to tears. "That's not fair ..." I added and sat down on the couch. My despair was probably seen from a thousand meters away. I had hoped that the effects of the beginning of the war would not affect us, but that seemed to be the case. The only reason why I returned to Holmes Chapel was my family. I wanted to be with them at this terrible time, especially because the fear was far too big to loose them. Two weeks ago, the war had begun, England was at full speed and wanted to set up most of the soldiers. but I did not expect them to take my dad with them. First I made a cup of tea for my mother and myself and tried to understand that my father is at war. "I could not even say goodbye." I said in silence and started to cry. My mother hugged me and, as always, remained strong to me, though I knew exactly how weak she was at that moment. After a few hours I had managed not to cry immediately when I thought about it. I knew that I needed to be strong for my mother and that would only work if I did not cry in tears every minute. This silence throughout the house drove me crazy, it was awful. Before I could do anything against the silence, the doorbell rang. Surprised, I went into the hallway. "Do you expect someone?" I asked my mother and opened the door. It was Alison Taylor, the mother of an old school friend and my mother's best friend. She was just as surprised to see me "Isabell, how long has it been?" she said, giving me a warm hug. I was glad to see familiar faces. Although I do not like this quiet, rural life so much, it will always be my home. laughing, I let siw into the house. "Alex will be glad to see you." Karen said and hung up her jacket. "Alex...?" I asked and went to the living room. I noticed thar I felt a tingling sensation in my stomach. We sat down and were silent for a few minutes. Alison's husband Ron was not sent to war. She told us that he had become ill and as white as she was, that he would not be there for long. It was quiet again in the house. I liked Ron, he was always very nice and I remembered exactly how Alex immediately had a good connection with him and said things like "he's like a second father". Ron was Alex' stepfather and according to my mother's stories, Alison and Ron married 3 years ago. "Are your children home?" Asked my mother at some point and looked at me gratefully. I kissed her cheek and put an arm around her. "Yes, luckily Alex came back from Japan when he heard what would happen." I was a litttle surprised about that. "Oh really? I thought he would never leave Holmes Chapel." I said interested and supported my argument with a laugh, but internally I had a fight with myself because every time I heard or said his name, I felt a million butterflies in my stomach. "How would he look like? Is he even more lovelier than before?" These were the things I've ever asked myself. I didn't know that I would found out soon.