Long Lost War Hero

Chapter 13

Nicole

The sounds of the gun shots rang through my ears as my daughter cried her little heart out from being startled. I tried to calm her by shushing her but it was no use as the gun shots kept ringing in for a full count of the years Dale served. His and John's funeral were today, the crowd seemed as gastly as it felt in my heart. Dale never saw his child, never held her, she never even heard his name from anyone else's mouth than my own and now it was all up to me to parent her the best I could as a single mother could. My heart went out to Catherine as she only just found out her pregnancy. John would never know of their baby, the struggle we both will face without them is the harshest thing I could've imagined. Dale's mother sobbed the loudest and probably the most rudest. She was a spiteful woman who teared Dale down any chance she could making my life a living hell. She even attempted to offer full guardianship over baby Nicole as I call her since she's Donnas namesake. I hated her name as it reminded of the miserable woman she was named after. Finally the guns stopped as the plaster began.

"Heavenly father we gather today to help you welcome two of the most greatest men our little town ever saw. Dale Sugar and John Allen were soldiers to the very end, brave and head strong. They were like brothers always looking out for one another. They will be missed by their wives and their community. Dale left behind his wife Nicole, daughter Donna, his mother Donna and father Lenard. John left behind his wife Catherine, and his mother Rachel Byrd. John will be welcomed in heaven with open arms his father Leroy Allen. Lets now our heads in a moment of silence to mourn these two young gentlemen whom will be missed with great sorrow." The priest stated as he bowed his head.

Donna sobbed once more time loudly before also bowing her head. The quietness calmed baby Nicole as the silence seemed to go on for a long time. The priest finally cleared his throat giving all of us the signal we can proceed.

"Now the families starting with the closest can start the sharing of the earth by falling dirt onto the caskets. Wives then the rest please." He told us as he used his fingers to make the cross over the caskets as they were being lowered.

Donna jumped up off her seat towards Dales grave which made me angry.

"He said wives so sit down Donna!" Catherine yelled which caused the air out of my mouth before I could yell at her myself. Catherine knew of my animosity with Donna, she felt my anger as well. Rachel seemed to smirk before she covered her mouth with her hand. Catherine and I huddled at the head of the caskets as we picked up a handful of dirt. I carefully palmed dirt into little Nicole hand and released both our dirt into Dales grave as Catherine did the same. She side hugged me as she led all three of us away from the gravesite.

"Our lives will never be the same without them." I said as I started to cry which made her cry as well.

"We will visit them as much as we can Nicole. Our babies will know their daddies. I count on it." she said she as helped me into the limo.

We left the crowed that gathered to pay their goodbye's at the grave site. Crying in the back of the limo while the driver took us back to Dales and my home. The once filled house seemed empty without him and his presence in it. The day donned on as it seemed an eternity passed since people came said their condolences, dropped food off and left. Hours turned into the darkness of night and all that was left was little Nicole, Catherine and I crying on the sofa. Our sorrow brought us closer while pulled others out of our lives. Matty didn't even stay long after bringing a casserole, kissing the top of my head and hugging Catherine even though it seemed he always disliked her prior. Death pulls people in with their grief when all I wanted was to be alone with the two people who shared my pain. The pain of losing someone whom you hopped to see in three months, to share the happiness of parenthood and to bask in their live once more. The years to come were going to be the hardest for the four of us, it wasn't even the beginning.