100-Challenges
Prompt 021. Vacation
Title: Parade
Kathleen tugged at her father's arm, trying to get him to move faster. "Come on, Daddy. If we don't hurry we'll get stuck in the back of the crowd." The five-year-old strained to tug on the large man. She and her father had been at the amusement park all day long and were on their way to the final attraction of the day, the parade. It was one of the few times that her father had shore leave, so he'd decided to make a real vacation out of it and have a day of fun with his daughter. It was hard to tell, but they were both enjoying themselves. Kathleen looked frustrated with how slow her father was moving and her father had a perpetual serious look on his face.
"You need to be more patient." Kathleen's father kept his pace steady and slow. There was no way the young girl would be able to pull him anywhere. "We'll get there in time for the parade. There is no need to rush."
"But if we don't hurry then we'll get stuck behind everyone and won't get to see anything," Kathleen whined.
"Enough." The word was forceful and caused Kathleen to stop in her tracks. She stared up at her father, a bit afraid. He looked every bit the ODST he was. He towered over her, rounded imposing facial features frowning down at her causing some of the scars on his face to stretch in an odd fashion. His buzzed blond hair and intense green eyes finishing off the look.
Kathleen stared up at him, remaining silent. Her father's face softened just the slightest bit. He picked her up and her arms clung to his neck. "You're just like your mother." He smiled as he spoke. Talking about or remembering her mother seemed to be the only thing that could make him smile anymore. "She could never be patient. She couldn't wait to start a family, join the ODST, or get into combat." Kathleen leaned against her father's chest, enjoying the feeling of safety and warmth. His features became grim once more. "It probably is what got her killed." Kathleen barely caught the words as he muttered them.
"I miss Mommy." Kathleen clung a bit tighter to her father.
"I do too, sweetheart." He hugged her. "I'm sorry I brought her up. Today is supposed to be happy and now you're sad."
Kathleen shook her head. "No, I like talking about her. If we don't then she'll be forgotten and I don't want to ever forget her."
"I don't think I could ever forget your mother." Her father stopped and stared at the gathered crowd. "Maybe you were right about getting here early."
Kathleen huffed. "Now I won't be able to see anything." She crossed her arms over her chest and pouted.
There was a momentary pause before Kathleen's father lifted her up and set her on his shoulders. Her legs rested on each of his shoulders and her hands wrapped around his head to make sure she didn't fall off. "Can you see now?"
Kathleen gazed over the crowd at the marching band making its way along the parade route." I can see everything." Kathleen giggled happily. "You're the best daddy ever."
"Got that damn right." The two remained in the crowed until the parade ended and they went back home.
The next day her father was shipped out and two days later his pelican was shot down by some rebels with black market rocket launchers. They came to her house the day after to inform her aunt of his death. The funeral was five days later. After a month her aunt had a breakdown and Kathleen was put in the foster care system. Less than a year later Kathleen met Dr. Halsey and her fate was chosen.
She became a soldier and her definition of a vacation changed. It was no longer a day at the park or pool with friends or family. Now it had become only having to deal with grunts and jackals rather than wraiths and hunters.