Homecoming, Day 2

At homecoming I made Sniper's mom a promise. Since he was staying with us (Bubba, Wingman & me) I would have Sniper at his grandmother's house at zero dark thirty. Done. Her definition of zero dark thirty is before noon. She knows him well. We were out of the house by 0830. On the way out of town, we stopped back by the bar. Sniper wanted to show Retired MGySgt (A friend and the one who has his NCO Sword. He has been planning for the Marine Corps Birthday this year, cutting the cake with his sword in his honor. We will be there for it.) the video he made. MGySgt wasn't there, but he showed a few others. As I stood next to him, watching it, the realization of how lucky he was to be standing there got to me. How truly lucky he is. I couldn't watch the rest of the video. I walked outside and waited for him to come out. A few minutes pass and we load up to head out. I sat in the back and was very solemn and quiet. My tears started to fall. (The day before at homecoming I didn't really cry, at times just very quiet). With everyone in the car, I didn't want anyone to see. I put my sunglasses on and sat there quietly. The tears falling faster. The music in the background "What Hurts the Most" by Rascal Flatts. I just sat there thinking how very close he came. All that he had been through the last six months. My emotions just got the best of me. Bubba looked over at me and grabbed my hand. I just stared out the window and held tight. Sniper noticed and asked what was wrong. I just kept telling him I was ok and my emotions are running on overdrive. It didn't take long before him and Wingman had me laughing. We made it by 1030. We did good, SM was happy. That night, was a Homecoming Party for him with all his family. His grandma, mom, sister and T made him his favorite meal, Mexican food. Let me tell ya, it is damn good. Everyone had a great time. Lots of family around. We were hanging out outside, drinking, smoking and enjoying the conversation. I kept watching him to see his reaction with being surrounded by so many people. I was very concerned he would be overwhelmed. I had been worrying for the last month how he would handle it. He held up ok, until the fireworks from Disneyland started going off. The house was about 5 minutes away. He jumped up and he headed into the house. Bubba and I right behind him. He sat down in a comfy chair and I sat next to him. His dad turned up the TV to try and drown out the sounds. It didn't help for shit. I knew he was exhausted and hadn't slept much in 5 days. I sat there rubbing his head and shoulders. Just my light touch. I kept watching him. I remembered him talking about the song "When I'm Gone" he put on his video and how he kept saying that song meant so much. I kept hearing the words in my head So hold me when I'm here Right me when I'm wrong Hold me when I'm scared And love me when I'm gone Everything I am And everything in me Wants to be the one You wanted me to be I'll never let you down Even if I could I'd give up everything If only for your good So hold me when I'm here Right me when I'm wrong You can hold me when I'm scared You won't always be there So love me when I'm gone It touched me to the core. I sat there with him for about an hour and a half. Just holding him. Touching him. My mind was racing. I wanted to comfort him so much more than I could, I knw I did though. I wanted to make the demons go away. I wished it could have been me that went through hell and not him. He finally feel asleep. That night we slept (I should say all of us, but him. Sleep doesn't come easy or often yet. Only time will heal.) in the middle of the living room. His parents right above are head, Bubba to his right and me, right next to him, holding his hand. I never did let go. We woke-up still holding hands. dyzgoneby