Virginia Beach: A Short Story

My face suddenly turns white, and I get a sinking feeling in my chest, something feels like it is missing. It is 9:38 in Mrs. Spraetz English class; I remember it like it was yesterday. I slowly slip my phone out of my chromebook bag, it's my brother, Jordan. The text he sent me simply reads, “I am deploying in 1 hour, I love you, see you in 10 months.” My stomach is in knots, and I feel a lump slowly rising up my throat. How am I going to get through the rest of the day if this is how I am feeling right now?

I clearly remember seeing him no more than six weeks ago after he completed his basic training in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I saw him fly his final flight before he got the hours he needed to deploy at the next date possible. I didn’t know it would be so soon. I am not ready, how can he just go! I suddenly feel sick for all the times I got mad at him as a child and blatantly stated, “I cannot wait til you go away and I don't have to see you for a very long time.” …show more content…
The last few weeks of school are filled with sleepless nights, and extreme excitement. The 18 hour drive out to Virginia Beach isn’t so bad when there is something that you are really looking forward to. June 5th arrives and we drive out to the airbase at 8 o’clock at night. The wait for two long hours is filled with tension, excitement, anticipation, and many occasions where my sister-in-law and I almost pee our pants. When you see the giant plane land with pilots racing for their wives and newborns in their olive green flightsuits your heart melts. Already in tears I spot my brother racing to us. His wife hugs him first, then mom, then finally myself. I jump into his large arms, receiving a bear hug, and immediately start crying, I feel the protection and warmth from his hugs that I had missed for so long. I felt at home again, and a weight was lifted off my shoulders. He was home, and he was