The Conversation

"All gave some, some gave all. Some stood through for the red, white, and blue and some had to fall..." BRC

[thump...thump...thump...]

 

Her ear pressed against his chest. He was talking to her. All else was silent beyond her voice and his heart. Her head slowly rose with his every breath. She had been talking to him since he got back, selfishly reassuring him. His heartbeat sped and slowed with her voice, the only sign from the tubes and bandages that he could hear her.

 

[thump...thump...]

 

Tears ran down her cheek and onto his chest. She was lying but the tears weren't. He knew it just as well as she did. She told herself that those lies had kept them together for a few moments longer, precious, unforgettable moments. She told him of Jamie's hit in T-Ball...

 

[thump, thump, thump, thump]

 

...and how happy he'd be knowing his dad would be there to watch.

 

[thump...]

 

She was holding out until the end. She wanted to say it so much; it was the one thing he wanted to hear. She couldn't bring herself to say it yet, there were still moments left.

 

[thump...thump]

 

She talked about the house, the car, and the presents he had sent for Christmas. How the dog had-

 

[thump........thump.........]

 

The monitor stopped beating and the nurse had gone. It was time. Fresh tears poured and she closed her eyes. He had to hear it. She brought the words to her lips, holding them, running them over her tongue one last time.

 

"I love you."

 

[...........thump...........]

 

He took one last breath and left her in that moment to reclaim his legs from the battlefield.

Author's Note

I am thankful to have made it to my 5th deployment unscathed. To those that were not and will not be so fortunate...

Reviews

[Siren]

This is amazing. I love the title, the beginning, the middle, the end. It's sad, but it's heartfelt and pure. This is love in its truest form. Great job, hun.

[Nastia]

beautiful, nt many can write the moment before death so vividly and truely, sad bt great