Thunderstorm

A loud explosion filled the air and all he could hear was screaming. The shrapnel
was flying wildly through the air, piercing anything or anyone in its path. The smoke was
as thick like a blanket of scented fog covering all of the great massacre. Danny's face
flew in front of him, bloodied and deformed. A silent scream forever plastered on his
face.

Rafe sat up with a start and covered his face with his hands. "That never
happened," he said to himself silently. "Danny died peacefully." His thoughts trailed
off, not wanting to think the next thought. It should have been him. It should be Danny
raising his own son. A silent tear rolled down his cheek as he turned and listened to the
rhythmic breathing of his wife Evelyn. Watching her sleep was one of the only things that
calmed him down lately. Her silky hair fanned out on the pillows, the way the moonlight
shone on her face.

He stood up and padded down the hallway silently. He opened the door to
Danny's room and slipped into the pale light of the toddlers' room. Standing next to the
crib, Rafe noticed every little detail that reminded him of this child's father and his best
friend. He head was flooded with "If only" questions. Composing himself and closing the
door behind him, he walked into the porch, seeking silent comfort.

The sun was slowly beginning to rise on that cold December day. The snow lay in
a cool blanket on white, comforting the earth beneath it. From the hilltop flat, Rafe could
see down to the bay. The bay where he would never see any of his beloved friends again.
Although a few had survived, he still felt guilty and even Evelyn's suggestion of a
physiatrist proved to not help.

Sinking down into his chair, Rafe sighed. No sooner than a new thought appeared
in his head, small hands were squiggling their way through his hair. He smiled and look
up backwards to face Danny upside-down. The giggling boy leaned down more and was
caught by the only father he had ever known. Evelyn smiled and kisses his forehead.

"Morning sunshine" she said in her own musical voice.

"Mornin'," Rafe replied hoarsely. "What are you doin' up this early?"

"Its nearly 8 in the morning, I'm getting ready for work."

"But today's Saturday."

Pausing by the coffee pot, Evelyn started to laugh. This caused Danny to giggle out
in glee at his mother.

"I can't believe I thought today was Tuesday. I could've sworn."

"Its okay honey, we were going to stay home today anyways."

After three years of marriage, the two had finally worked out a decent schedule.
Evelyn working at the hospital and Rafe training cadets, plus spending time with the baby,
their lives were getting hectic. But with one last glance at the storm heading off the bay,
Rafe wouldn't trade it for anything in the world, except maybe Danny.