A Soldier Returns to a New Truck and a Shaved Head - America Focus
The black mailbox at the edge of the asphalt still had my last name painted on the side in my father’s uneven block letters, but the house behind it was unrecognizable. The old red brick was covered in a thick coat of white paint that looked so fresh I could smell the chemical bite of it.
Parked in the driveway, right where my old sedan used to sit, was a brand-new silver crew-cab truck with dealer plates still taped to the rear window.
I carried my canvas sea bag on my left shoulder and kept my right hand free. My thumb found the leather strap of my watch, pulling it tight against my wrist, then loosening it by one notch.
My savings account before I deployed had eighteen thousand dollars in it, and my monthly military pay had gone straight into the joint account my mother managed. A white-painted brick exterior and a sixty-thousand-dollar truck did not fit the math I had been doing on the flight home.
I walked past the passenger door of the silver truck, my boots silent on the clean concrete, and headed toward the side gate.
The side yard was bordered by a new wooden privacy fence that had not yet been stained. The cedar boards were still bright yellow, smelling of pine sap under the heavy Florida sun.
Behind the fence, the hum of a brand-new central air unit vibrated through the soles of my boots.
I stopped at the latch of the gate, my hand resting on the hot metal. I had not told them the exact hour of my arrival, wanting to surprise Gwen after four years away, but the quiet of the yard felt wrong.
I pushed the gate open and stepped into the grass.
The backyard was mostly weeds, a sharp contrast to the neat sod in the front yard. Gwen was standing by a rusted metal wash basin that had been dragged out near the pump house, her back turned to me.
May you like
She wore a faded green dress that hung loose on her shoulders, and a dark green knitted cap was pulled low over her ears, covering her neck.
Continue Reading →-
Andrew Collins
Andrew Collins is a contributor who enjoys writing about everyday topics, people, and ideas that spark curiosity. His approach is simple and conversational, aiming to make stories easy to read and relatable. Outside of writing, Andrew follows current trends, enjoys long walks, and likes turning small observations into meaningful stories.
