Good Bye

It was cool having a Marine brother. I could tell people my brother was a Marine, and could beat them up. But no one wants their brother to go to war. I don't like to talk about things like that. In fact, I don't like talking about sad things at all. I just want to be happy,and the people around me to be happy too. And this is where the story begins, my brothers in the Marines, and was about to be shipped of to Iraq. I try not to think about that, but that's a hard thing to do.

It was 4th period. And I was in math. Every so often my eyes flicker to the clock. Today is the day Carrick is going to Iraq. I've dreaded this day ever since Carrick became a Marine. After math, I would be leaving to go see Carrick off. When I heard the words, "You may go", my heart stopped. I walked to my locker in a trans like state. Thinking about how I have said,"Good bye", to Carrick to many times. Right when I got to the front office, my mom was walking through the doors. Before I knew it we were at the air port. We walked to the area where we weren't allowed passed. The area were I've said,"Hi",and,"Good bye", to Carrick before. After the hugs and fake laughs, Carrick said,"Well I have to go", and every one said bye Carrick. Watching him walk away was the hardest part. By then, my mom is wiping away tears, and my sister turned away to cry. My other brother and I standing there with blank expressions. My dad just trying to comfort every one.

Things were almost normal after Carrick left. Almost. Every one asked about Carrick. Of course they would get the whole story from my mom. It was getting on my nerves. We would get the usual Skype from Carrick now and then. I was the one who spoke to Carrick the least, because it got uncomfortable between us when we had nothing to say.

Before we knew it, we got the word that Carrick was coming home! It was on Feb 19 (my other brothers birthday) when Carrick got home. We went to the base camp to wait for Carrick, because that's were hes going first. We mostly waited(very boring)for them to arrive. We got briefed on what they did over in Iraq. After a couple hours, the bus was here! They filled in and were released to us! When we found Carrick, I hugged him and said,"Welcome home".

Grace M.