R | Writing | Short Stories | Wishes

I hadn't seen you in months, but I was excited that you were finally coming home. Life without you had been so lonely, everything I'd expected it to be. All I had for company were the dogs; they were sweet animals, but they weren't you. My hands clench the steering wheel as I stop at a red light. I couldn't meet you at the airport (or wherever marines come back at) this morning because of work, but I knew you were waiting for me at home. My head tilts slightly to one side as the light affront me turns green and I press on the gas. What exactly would I be coming home to? I already knew you with a buzzcut was ugly -- that made me giggle -- but would you be changed? 'Of course he'll be changed,' I thought to myself, turning into my neighbourhood -- our neighborhood. 'He's been gone for three months... I wonder if he remembers what I look like in person? What my eyes look like? What my hands feel like on his body?' I can feel the tears begin to sting the corners of my eyes. After what seemed like an eternity, you have finally come back to me. After all the hardships, lonliness, and tears...you were home.

I pull my car into the driveway and practically trip over my own feet climbing out, forgetting my purse in the car in my frantic scramble to the front door. I fumble with my keys, but find the door is ajar. I pause, 'That's weird... And dangerous.' I roll my eyes, walk into our house, and close the door behind me, 'You can't trust ALL the kids in this neighbourhood.'

My eyes search, scanning over the stairs, the "nice room", the beginnings of the kitchen ahead... There's no sign of you, and for a moment I'm frightened that someone ELSE is inside the house, and you haven't come home yet. But you were supposed to get home this morning, it's 5 o' clock in the afternoon now, what could have kept you?

I begin to creep around the house, the *clank, clank* of my heels silenced on the soft ivory carpet. "Nick...?" I call out, "Are you here?" There's no answer. My shoulders unconsciously droop with disappointment. 'Where IS he??' With a whimper, I plop onto the couch and rest my head back on the cushion, groaning with disappointment. I sit there for a moment or two, letting the worry fade away. My bottom lips quivers a little as I begin to stand up, but I gasp at the hands that are suddenly around my neck and shoulders, the cheek that is pressed against my own. I breathe in and instantly, through the disgusting odor of a military uniform and shaving cream, know that it's you. You've come home. I fight back the tears, not wanting you to see me cry, and instead turn around and throw my arms around you. I'm kneeling on the couch, my head buried in your neck. Your arms are strong and warm around my back, I can feel your breath against my neck. I can't hold back the tears anymore, it seemed like forever since I felt you against me.

"Hullo, Love," you say against my shoulder.

Two simple words and I'm in paradise all over again. I'm back in high school with you, leaning against the fencing of the back gate. We're young and stupid again, grinning foolishly at each other, my eyes bleary with wetness.

Our little fantasyland is interrupted by scratching and whining coming from the back door. "You let the doggies out..." I say quietly, and slip from the comfort of your arms to let them in. They jump up on you, splattering mud and dirt on the front of your uniform. I lean against the kitchen counter and smirk triumphantly as you give me a dirty look. "You look better with it off anyway..." You smile knowingly in response. [Insert the fall into dalliance here.]