A Story for Teddy
Grumbling erupted from the corner of the living room. Teddy sat beside his bean bag chair with his arms crossed, glaring at the rain-soaked window.
“What’s wrong, Buddy?”
“I can’t play outside. The stupid rain won’t stop.” Teddy turned from the window and glared at the floor.
“Well, how about we fix that!”
“How? You can’t make the rain go away.”
“No, but we can find a fun activity to distract us until you can go outside.”
His look told her he didn’t believe her, but she continued anyway.
“I need to finish up the dishes, then I’ll come find you. OK?”
“Alright,” he huffed.
Twenty minutes later, Jen found her sulking son in the same spot.
“C’mon,” she motioned toward the stairs.
When they reached the second floor of their small townhome, she led Teddy into the study, a space that magically morphed into a guest bedroom just before visitors arrived. On the single bookshelf, a collection of children’s books and well-worn novels she’d collected over the years awaited them. She pulled a navy blue book from a high shelf.
She sat on the dual recliner and motioned him over. Teddy made a face before he flopped onto the couch beside her. Opening the book, she turned the insides toward Teddy and fanned through the pages quickly.
“I can read, Mom. I don’t need pictures anymore.”
“I want to read this one to you.”
He rolled his eyes, folded his arms, and leaned back, daring her to impress him.
“Take cover!” Andrew screamed, diving under the Jeep.
“I’m coming! Don’t leave me—” an explosion cut him short.
Andrew’s screams could barely be heard over the sound of debris pelting the vehicle above him.
“Mom! This is an older-people book. I’m not supposed to...”
Jen patted his knee in reassurance, and he relaxed. Slightly.
When the harsh sounds subsided, he inched out from under the vehicle to find his buddy, Ben, lying a few feet away.
“NO!” He ran closer to assess the damage.
It was done.
No time for tears.
Andrew pulled a tarp from the Jeep and carefully wrapped Ben before placing him in the back of the vehicle.
“Your life for mine, old friend.” He took a deep breath and turned over the ignition.
When he reached the edge of camp, the tips of green tents welcomed him. It felt like home, and yet, he dreaded what came next.
“Mission successful?” the captain asked as he exited the vehicle.
“Yes, Sir! But...”
The captain’s eyes followed Andrew’s to the back seat, and he nodded. Several of Andrew’s comrades joined the captain as they moved Ben to his resting place.
Teddy sat at attention, staring straight ahead and blinking back tears.
“You ok, Bud?”
He nodded vehemently.
“I’m sorry,” a teammate said, gripping his shoulder.
“If it weren’t for him, I—” Andrew’s frame slumped.
“Don’t go there,” the man named Franklin reassured him.
“There’s something I need to show you.” Jen closed the book and stood.
“What? You just started reading!”
She walked toward the bookshelf again, this time grabbing a tired album. Flipping through the pages, she settled on a spread and gingerly placed her finger on a photo with two uniformed men.
“This is Andrew.” She tapped the image of the gentleman on the left.
“No, that’s Grandpa Andy!”
“Right,” she smiled, taking in the resemblance.
“And that’s Great Uncle Ben beside him.”
Teddy looked pensively at her before his gaze drifted toward the window.
“The sun!” he yelled, launching out the back door in the direction of the playground that sat just beyond their tiny yard.
Jen grinned as she followed his spunky frame.
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