Chapter Text
Lorraine Blake danced around the kitchen with her six month old son Thomas. “Well, Thomas Walter Blake, are you ready to meet your daddy? He is going to be so excited to see you. You look just like him and I am sure you are going to grow up to be just as smart and strong as he is.”
There was a knock and Lorraine was taken out of the memory. She cleared her throat. “Come in.” The door opened and she looked at her mother. “Is it time?”
Alma nodded. “Yes. The kids are ready as well. I don’t think they understand what is going on, but I got them ready.”
“Thank you.” Lorraine stood up and walked into the living room where Andrew and Molly were playing. She smiled at them. “I think we are ready to go?”
Molly looked up at her mother. “Where are we going?”
Andrew rolled his eyes. “I told you stupid, we are going to see dad.”
Lorraine pulled her oldest son close. “Don’t call your sister stupid. She is too little to understand.” She smiled at the girl. “Remember, I told you daddy is coming home, but he was hurt really bad, and didn’t survive.”
“Grandma said he died and went to live with Jesus.”
“That’s right.”
“Is he ever coming back?”
Lorraine tried to hold her tears back and shook her head. “No baby. He is gone forever.”
“Oh.”
The group made there way out to the waiting car, and rode to the cemetery in relative silence. Lorraine held Thomas close as she tried to listen to the words of the priest. After what seemed like an eternity, someone walked towards her and stretched out their arms. “On behalf of the president of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.”
Lorraine handed Thomas to her mother and accepted the flag. She held it to her chest and kissed it softly. “Welcome home Henry.”