Cindy sat there all alone and carefully contemplated over her little day out with Libby.
"Gosh…" she thought. " I miss him so much."
She began to blush as she recalled all of those precious moments with that little boy genius. The moments that they shared… together. Cindy loved Jimmy with all her heart and would gladly put her life down on the line for her. But, as fate often times deals cruelly with young lovers, there was nothing in the whole world she could do to help him. Only through thoughts and prayers could they be together. Even though not physically, they were there together… spiritually.
"They say as two hearts are farther apart… they become, yet, closer together… Is this really true.?" Cindy asked herself out loud. "If this is true… where are the arms that once held me and helped me realize that I am safe and secure. Jimmy's the one I love… There is no way that I'll ever let him go. But it is as he wills."
Cindy got up to make herself a cup of coffee.
"Decaf… Jimmy liked that best." she sighed as she boiled the water.
Just then the doorbell rang and Cindy ran to answer it. She peered through the peephole and realized that it was a soldier from the army.
"Greetings.. Mrs. Neutron." John replied as Cindy opened the door.
"Please," Cindy laughed nervously. "Just call me Cindy."
"Of course, Mrs. –I mean Cindy."
"Oh, do come in. I'm just about to make some coffee. Care for some?"
"Uh…. No thank you ma'am. I'm in an awful hurry. I came to.. um.. give you.. this." John said with a solemn look on his face.
Cindy gingerly took the helmet and dog tag. She looked at the dog tag and quickly identified that it was Jimmy's.
"Uh…." Cindy stuttered.
"John…." John prompted.
"Yes… I'm sorry… John… I don't think that I quite understand what's going on here." She laughed nervously.
John bowed his head and replied, "My condolence, Cindy… but.. you're husband, Jimmy…."
"Is.. dead?" Cindy filled in.
"Yes…" John bowed his head so that Cindy wouldn't have to see the tears that were falling down his cheeks. Never before had John cried in his life. He was a tough boy… although from a broken family.. Jimmy was in truth the only best friend that he ever had.. besides his wife of course.
John recalled how a few days ago… how his friend was killed. They were in the middle of combat. Jimmy quite bloodthirsty at the time was in quite the adventurous mood. The two of them were shooting at the enemy and slapping each other on the back when suddenly John was shot in the ankle.
"Ughhh…." John moaned.
"John.. Dudeman!" Jimmy said. "You're ankle."
Just then a bullet came right toward John. He braced his body getting ready for the impact and the trip from life to death… but… he didn't feel the bullet surging through his very flesh. Instead, he saw the blood oozing from out of his own friend. It was there that right before his eyes… that John witnessed death. Jimmy Neutron, his hero had taken the bullet. John loomed over Jimmy… he tried hard not to cry… and he didn't… he just still couldn't let anyone know the feelings that were buried deep within him… How he was never loved.
"Jimmy… why?" John asked trembling.
Jimmy coughed out blood and replied, "Just knowing that I've given my life for someone… that when it all comes down…t-to the o-ones that I love. Nothing… n-nothing in the world… could ever replace… the ones that I l-love. The lives of others… so dear… so precious. Remember that John. Remember."
Just then Nick ran off and quickly analyzed the scene. Without any questioning, he immediately helped John carry Jimmy into the dugout. John looked at Jimmy. His eyes seemed to ask if Jimmy was to die and with a nod of approval from Nick, John knew what was to be expected.
"Nick.." John asked. "What'll we do, now?"
"…………We finish this… Neutron style." Nick said with a smug look on his face. "That's how Neutron would have wanted it."
Despite his wounded ankle, John fought a good fight together with Nick and here John stood in front of his hero's wife… alive… and clutching his crutch. But what John didn't know was that Jimmy still had some life in him. With his last few ounces of energy, Jimmy picked up his lucky ace card and pen out of his pocket. Even with the huffs and puffs, he was still able to focus writing the last two words on that tattered card. After writing those words, he placed the card carefully into his helmet. With these final actions, he looked heavenward, wished goodbye to his friends, family, and the greatest love… to his wife. It was then and there… that James Vortex Neutron… went back home.
These memories were too painful to John. He bid farewell and wished the best to Cindy Neutron. Although he had a crutch, he limped as fast as he could, trying to hide the tears that stung his cheeks.
Cindy watched the car drive off and closed the door. A million thoughts raced through Cindy's mind. Thoughts that one can't comprehend… thoughts beyond words. She looked at the mirror that hung by the door. Carefully placing the helmet on a nearby table, she placed the dog tag around her neck. Then reaching for the helmet… she grasped it tightly and held it to herself. Suddenly, a piece of paper fluttered downward out of the helmet. Cindy carefully reached for the paper and read the written words.
No Reserve
No Retreat
No Regrets
