5.28.2012 Memorial Day

 Everything had changed so quickly.
 He limped, head held high, ignoring the cheerful people, sitting about, gossiping while they ate. 

“How many of these picnickers actually think about what makes this a holiday? It’s just an excuse to not have work.” 

The face of the brother in arms — lost. 

MIA, they said. KIA, the search given up. 

How dare they sit by and laugh and eat their hot dogs. 

He sat on a bench, hands clasped, pressed against his nose and mouth.  

“Fancy seeing you here. Been looking for you.” 

He looked up and gaped.

“You’re supposed to be dead!”