Coming Home

From the war to home his life has been as struggle. Memories come as he grips the railing.  He can hear their jokes despite the roar of the hummer and  he can see their smiles on their faces.

He takes a step up on the wooden steps, three steps more to go . The hummer hits a bump and the ground beneath explode in a cloud of dirt and flames. The hummer shoots upwards and flips on its hood.

Two steps to go. Pain and surprise shook his sight as he looks down. One color stands out against the white camouflage army  suit, red.

One more step. Helicopter blades above his head whir. His vision a blur. He does not remember the ride only the hospital after words.

He stands unsteadily on his feet. There nothing more then  cold silver to replace flesh and bone. His hand grips the screen door and he pulls.

Suddenly The door is thrown open before his hand touches the knob and a five year old girl's voice screams out in surprise and delight. Bullets and bombs could not make him shed tears but with one word the solder is brought to tears. “Daddy!”