I'll Be Waiting

I wrap my arms around her and she buries her face in my army jacket. I feel her shaking body, and try to restrain from shaking myself. After embracing, I pull back and put my hands her shoulders.

“Zyla.” I whisper.

She shakes her head and sniffles, looking at her feet.

I grab her chin and gently lift her face to meet mine. She looks into my eyes, her own red and puffy, bloodshot from crying. I tuck a stray hair behind her ear, wipe a running tear off her cheek. “It's going to be okay. Understand? We'll see each other again, I swear it.”

“But when?” She whispers, her voice barely audible.

I exhale deeply. “I don't know.”

She chokes back a sob and collapses into my arms again. I accept the hug. I stroke her hair caramel hair, and breath in her sweet honeysuckle smell.

“I love you.” I whisper in her ear.

She steps back and takes a shaky breath. “I love you too, Riley Hunter.” She laughs a little and taps the top of my nose. “Come back to me, please. With no missing limbs.”

I smile. “Don't worry about me, I'll be safe and cozy in that war hospital.”

She nods. “I know.”

I lean in and give her a light kiss on the cheek, then picking up my bag, I shoulder it and start to walk towards the ramp.

“You better write!” She yells after me.

“I will! I swear!” I call back.

“I love you so much!”

“I love you more.” I say. I wave and slowly walk up the ramp leading onto the small plane.