Not Goodbye
The bus depot was filled with families saying goodbye to the state navy recruits. "I can't believe that you're going away for so long." The soft female voice could barely be heard through a curtain of dirty blond hair. Throwing her arms around the older boy Shelly sobbed. "Who's going to work with me a Frankie's? You can't leave! I'll miss you too much."
Buck looked over her head at Frankie's owner, Joe and mouthed, what do I do? The older man just shook his head and hugged them both, "He's going to be fine Shelly, and you know that until I hire a new cook Pete will work with you. It'll be ok." She shook her head as much as she could squeezed between the guys and cried even harder.
They held each other as the bus began loading, finally Joe pulled Shelly away from Buck and gave the boy a shove on the arm. Still held back by Joe, she yelled, "I won't say goodbye, you can't leave if I don't say goodbye." Buck took a seat near the back and from the open window he yelled, "Then tell me you'll see me later." She smiled and watched the bus pull away from the curb. She followed a few steps and waved; a smile on her face. He'll be okay.