Dog Tags

Taking a lick of her own ice cream Beth gives a smile as she follows Zach. Today she had chosen strawberry swirl ice cream with nerds on top. It had been a good choose and she really was enjoying it.

"This definitely is better than the ice cream in my freezer. I'm happy we picked this more than the movie."

Seeing Zach sit down on the swing Beth can't help but chuckle. Zach's sense of humor was great and just seeing him not worried about what he did was refreshing. In a way it showed her too that it was ok to just have fun with life.

Taking her own seat on the slide Beth turns to see Zach and she licks the cone again. Getting a sharp pain in her head though she brings her free hand up to it and squints her eyes.

"Gah, Brain freeze!"

Getting back from morning chores Dan sheds his shirt and sits down on his bed to take his books off. It had been a long morning and he was ready for the long needed shower. Hearing his phone beep though Dan picks it up from the night stand. Not knowing what the number was he hits the voice mail button and listens.

Hearing Dylan's voice on the other end Dan doesn't even have to think twice on what the answer to that was. Getting in the shower he makes it quick before heading to find Jade and let her know he would be back soon so she didn't worry. The drive there and back would be long but it was well worth it.

...Three hours later Dan was pulling into the little gas station in Charlesburg. It was starting to get a little dark out but the lights that kicked on helped light everything back up. Letting his eyes scan the area finally he makes out a figure and he parts.

Walking over to Dylan Dan gives a small smile looking down at his friend. He looked thin, his eye's sunken in, it made Dan's heart clench.

"Hey, Sorry it took so long. I figured if you were going to be stuck in a car with me for two hours you might want me to smell good."

Dan gives a little chuckle at his own joke before bending and picking up Dylan's bag to help him. His stomach grumbles at the same time and he relized he hadn't had any lunch and it would be past dinner when they got back.

"Are you hungry? I forgot to grab something for lunch and it will be well past dinner when we get back. I think I saw a burger joint on my way in."

The crunching of gravel can be herd as the dirty jeep moved up the driveway to the little house. The driver dressed in full army uniform sat in the driver seat. Quiet, solom the jeep seemed to moan with air that was inside. Parking the driver gets out carrying a bag on his arm. In his other hand was a set of dog tags. Without looking closely it was hard to make out what they said.

Walking up the sidewalk with a limp it was easy to tell something had happened preventing him to pull all his weight on it. Getting to the porch His head lowered the man wasn't sure how to break the news. Hesitating for a moment he finally knocks on the door. Standing tall, proud, and honored like the army taught him his head till hung slightly his own face covered waiting for the answer.