“Every Saturday, I tell her stories about her dad—the good ones. The brave ones. The man he used to be before the war. I’m the only bridge she’s got to that version of him.”
Lily looked up from her crayons. “Uncle Bear was there when I was born,” she said proudly. “Daddy said he cried.”
“You cried,” she giggled. “Daddy said you promised to protect me.”
The lead officer smiled faintly and handed the paper back. “Sir, we’re sorry for the misunderstanding. And thank you—for your service and for keeping your word.”
Continue reading…