“It’s only gonna be a short time. I’ll be home for Christmas. Right champ!?” The solider said to his son who he held near his chest before departing for service.
“Are you gonna go fight bad guys daddy?” the son asked admiring his father’s uniform.
“You bet bud.”
“When are you gonna come home?”
“It won’t be too long… Hey how about when I get back we go to the amusement park?”
“Yea! Can I ride the roller coaster?”
“You gotta eat your vegetables so you can grow tall enough to ride it. Don’t give your mom a hard time either.”
“Okay dad.”

“I’ll keep in touch.” he said turning to his wife.
“Mmhmm.” she muttered tears forming in her eyes.
“Hey, stop that. I’m going to come back.”

She nodded and with that they kissed and waved him off.

---

She was washing the dishes when the phone rang. Dave was due home any day.

“Hello.” she said.
“Mrs.Peters, it is with my greatest condolences…”

Her hand reached for her mouth, her heart sank, tears formed. She knew what came next.

“Your husband was killed in battle.”