Waiting

It was midnight. The woman closed the curtains and huddled on her bed. Tim should have been home hours ago. Why hadn't he called? She could still hear her daughter's question as Mary tucked her into bed.

"Mom, when will Dad be home? I miss him."

Mary didn't have the heart to tell her that Dad should have been home earlier this morning. She curled under the covers, listening to the rain, praying that Tim was just delayed. Mary shook her head to erase the rumors she had heard. She refused to believe it. Instead she thought, "Tim is just delayed and will be home soon." With that, Mary fell into a fretful sleep.

"Ding-Dong!" Mary bolted out of bed to the sound of the doorbell. Rushing she opened the door, hoping to find Tim.  Instead, she saw two men on the doorstep. Weakly, she collapsed against the door frame.

A week later with her children by her side, Mary held back tears as she accepted the folded flag and awards. Tim had been a hero, but she would rather have him home than the folded flag clasped in her arms.