It was an extremely nice day; sun shining, a cool nice breeze, white, puffy clouds in the sky.  I’m sitting in the passenger seat of the car.  It’s just me and mom; heading out to get some 7 Eleven.  As far as I could tell, there was nothing wrong in the world.  Then my mom turns to look at me, and I can feel news coming.

It’s the way she looks at me or something in her light gray-blue eyes, and I just know.  I stare back at her, and wait.  On these little drives, she talks about just about everything and nothing at once; she talks about something she saw on the news, or ask about school, or just any little thing.  Today is different.  I’m looking at her, unaware of danger, and she starts talking about her brother; Uncle Robert.

I love Uncle Robert.  As long as I can remember, when there’s Granny, there’s Uncle Robert.  I smile brightly at the mention of him, and listen.  Mom starts talking; he can’t seem to find a job.  On the occasion, I hear about an interview.  It’s nothing new or different to me.  Of course, I feel sorry for him.  I bet it’d be nice – if I were him that is – if I could finally manage to get a job after so long.

I don’t really pay attention.  My eyes are on the window, watching the world fly by.  I think one day he’ll find the right job.  It’ll all be good; he just has to find the one that’s all.  I mused over that for a minute, and then my mom drops the bomb on me.

“Robert’s joining the army.”
“What!?”

Time seemed to freeze in that moment.  My blood ran cold.  How could Robert join the army?  He’s always been here.  Always.  I can’t imagine life without him.  Christmas.  Granny’s birthday.  My birthday.  He’s always there.
Mom keeps talking, but I don’t want to hear anymore.  I turn my face towards the window, and feel something wet streak down my cheek.  My fists clenched, and unclenched.  I should be proud really; pleased even.  It meant there’d be another soldier, fighting for my country.  But that soldier was my uncle!

It had to be someone’s uncle, in the end.  There must be thousands, possibly millions, of children who have a father or mother, an older brother or sister, or an uncle or aunt, or someone special to them in the army.  I just never thought I would be one of those kids.  I never even comprehended the chances.  Both my parents already served in the military – that was before they were even married.

All I could do now was bite in the inside of my cheek, trying to get everything together.  I was just being selfish.  Stupid and selfish for not wanting this; for not agreeing with this.  It was my uncle’s decision, and through it he’d be serving the country.  All I could see however was that fate was playing a cruel trick on me.

It was an extremely nice day, for winter that is.  Once again, I’m sitting shotgun in the car with my mom.  It’s been about two, maybe even three years.  Last I heard, Uncle Robert was in Afghanistan.  Anytime he’s mentioned, I clench my knuckles so tight they turn white.  There was nothing but fear and worry to be felt there.  How could there not be? I could never be sure of anything for I knew that one day, maybe today even, or tomorrow, I might be told he wasn’t coming home.  That my uncle was gone.  It just wasn’t fair.  None of it was fair.

There’s that look again; the news look.  It catches me a bit off-guard, including that smile tugging at my mom’s lips.  Good news then.  Okay.

“So, Robert’s coming home.”

I can honestly say; best Christmas present ever.  I burst into an excited beam.  I regret, that it is I who is blessed with a soldier’s return, when maybe a young girl or boy somewhere else, is mourning the loss of one.  None of this is fair.  All I can do is be thankful, and pray for those other kids, who I finally relate to.

I want to be like Uncle Robert, and so does my brother.  I want to be in ROTC, and he already is.  One day, we hope to serve our country.  I don’t want our families to be scared though, like I was.  Never again, will I take my uncle’s presence in my life for granted.  I got lucky today; I might not be another day.