Why I Don't Do Goodbyes
"Bye Matt! I'll see you when you get back!" I hugged my favorite and only brother in law. He was going on a mission. I was going on a mission. But this time, it wasn't the same one.
"You too, Abby. And be sage. The last thing Rachel and I need is to loose our favorite sister."
"Same to you. But I've got one more on you. My favorite niece, Cam."
"Let's go, Matt!" a voice I knew very well yelled from down the hall.
"I'm coming, Joe!" he yelled back, then turned to me with a serious expression, "If anything happens to me, make sure that Cameron and Rachel know I love them, Abby."
"I will, Matt. But nothing's going to happen to you. Your mission is more complicated than mine. Something's more likely to happen to me than you."
"Regardless, promise me. I'll do the same for you."
"I promise, Matt," I replied, pretty sure that I would never have to fulfill it, because if I did, I don't know how I would do it.
We went our separate directions then. He went off with Joe, and I left with Alice.
Alice and I made it back in two weeks, Matt and Joe had yet to complete theirs, or at least that's what I had heard.
I was being debriefed when the news came and I didn't hear about it until I saw Joe staring out the window without Matt.
"Where's Matt?" I asked. I was in a good mood and nothing could stop it. Or so I thought.
Joe didn't answer but continued to stare into the sunny day. "Joe?" I asked again, putting my hand on his shoulder, smiling.
My smile faded as I saw his face. His eyes were puffy and red, the life gone from them. "What happened?" I demanded, then remembered that there are some questions better left unanswered.
"He's gone," he whispered in disbelief.
My hand dropped. "No, no he can't be. He said he'd be careful. No!"
But sadly, it was true. And nothing could bring him back. My heart ached for my sister and her daughter. Their pain must be worse, but I could barely contain my own to go and comfort them.
And then I knew what I had to do. I rushed to the central office. "Give me an assignment. I'll go anywhere for however long you'll need me there," my voice shook as tears rolled down my face.
"How about an underground in North Korea?" he asked, concern on his face.
"I'll take it." It was then that I knew I would never say goodbye again. Not after what happened to the boy I threatened to never break my sister's heart on their first date and the boy that then grew to be my friend and eventually my brother in law. No. I would never say goodbye again. Those words carried too much pain and sorrow.
This is just something I thought of when I finished Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover. I have a new poll on my profile that has to do with another story I want to write. Please vote! And review. Don't forget the reviewing!