Chapter One
Over head the planes left a trail of white streaks in the skies. Catherine's eyes as well were streaked with pain and tears fear clung to her wrapping her in a cold and lonely blanket. Wishing her father good bye had never gotten easier no matter how many times she had to. Her mother stroked her dirty blonde hair with her worn and tired hand. Trembling Catherine and her mother ambled back to the bus that was waiting for them.
"Dinner is done" whispered Catherine's mother into her ear. Catherine plunged into her seat she truly was thankful to her gentle and respectful tone, she was always knew how to handle situations like this. From across the table her mother reminded her of the poem her mother taught her when her fatehr was first deployed, "if the cranes never fly you must learn it is okay to cry." "Don't let the waves sweep you away" cooed her mother.
The birds outside Catherine's bedroom window chirped with joy and happiness. Soon there would be baby birds bursting out of their eggs. As spring approached so did Catherine's birthday, it was not the first time her father had been absent for her birthday. He had been deployed one week before her special day. "If only I could fly away like you" Catherine whispered dreamily to the robins getting ready to take their first flight.
"If only my wings would spread and carry me into the dark skies brightened by gunshots and bonfires of Afganistan." "To daddy"
The next morning Catherine urged herself into the kitchen Snuffler at her heels. Snuffler had been her lifelong companion and best friend no one could ever grow out of a dog. The cold hard chair grasped her tight Snuffler promptly barked and without waiting for a responses hopped on to Catherine's lap. "Mom" asked Catherine in a raspy voice. "Yes, your breakfast is in the microwave." "What is it this morning" asked Catherine sleepily." Catherine peeked into the microwave and found a bowl of microwavable rice. "I am going to work honey, have a good day at school" her mother swept into the room hugged Catherine and handed her a sack lunch.
As she chewed her lunch later at school she tried to think about her history test coming up but all she could think about was her father. Michelle Winters and Lulu jones sat on both sides of her. Sometimes even though these girls were her best friends they did not know what was happening in her life, they didn't understand at al. For some reason she felt md at them why didn't they get it? Lulu put a hand on her shoulder "did your dad get deployed again" she asked in a whisper meant just for her to hear. Catherine glanced at lulu and them up at Michelle "do you both know" she whimpered back in replied. "No, Michelle was too busy talking to the other girl next to her. About every other year Catherine's dad was sent to Afghanistan Lulu had always noticed the signs even if Catherine didn't tell her. Lulu and Catherine had been friends since pre-school., Michelle had moved here in the fourth grade from Carolina. Though they were both her best friends sometimes she felt like she was leaning more towards Lulu which was no surprise. She hugged Lulu and ran to the bathroom to wipe the tears from her face.
The early blossoms glistened on pink thick cherry trees a true sign of spring was in the air. A clatter of stones knocked at her heels she turned her head just as a warm hand pressed on her back as if her weight was supporting theirs. Lulu and Michelle were holding a brand new box of Kleenex out to her as she grabbed it and thanked them and they walked down the street hand in hand together, understanding and prepared.
"Catherine" her mother's head popped in the door, followed by the rest of her "Michelle is on the phone for you." "Hi Mike" Catherine and Lulu were the only ones Michelle let call her Mike." "Lulu told me, I really should have known, I'm sorry." "It isn't your fault, I mean Lulu has known me since forever it should be routine for her." "I guess" Michelle mumbled. All Catherine could here was Michelle breathing. "Mike" "yeah" Michelle answered, "what if my dad doesn't come home she whimpered." "I don't know I really don't."
Catherine's mother tip toed into the room. "Mom, is that you" "yes, honey why are you awake." "What if dad doesn't come home" Catherine asked "he will come home honey, now go to sleep." "Good night mom." Catherine lay awake still staring at her new green ceiling she and her dad had planted before he had left. "Daddy where are you tonight, are you starting up at the stars like the other soldiers around you hoping to see their children again and wishing you could be with them one last time before one day you join the stars way up hight." "Do something good for your little girl dad for your Catherine. Catherine fell asleep immersed in her own tears.
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