By Gypsie-Ami Offenbacher-Ferris

In response to FFFC # 176, hosted by Fandango
and
FSS # 54, hosted by Fandango
We hugged, we talked, we laughed, we loved. We tried not to think about what the morning would bring as our eyes met across the busy café tables, I was struck with a feeling of despair so deep, I shivered and tears swam uninvited beneath my lashes.
Noticing my distress, and she always noticed everything, she comprehended my sudden emotional dive into depression.
“It will be okay Babe. I know it’s a long deployment, but think of the benefits, plus extra for hazard pay. We’ll be able to get that condo on the beach we want when I get back, ok?”
She brushed a tear from my cheek with the back of her soft, but very strong hand.
We spent the rest of the day touring the city that would one day be our home. She ate caramel and I ate fudge. Our lips met and we tasted an exquisite explosion of sweet, saltiness between us.
All of these memories cascaded inside my mind, coming to a full halt at the site of a military officer standing at my front door, holding a perfectly folded American flag beneath his arm.

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