Sea Billows Roll
© 2011 - William C. Highsmith

She gazed at the ocean with its waves crashing upon the rocks with a certain precision. However, Deborah was not concerned with the smashing billows. Her mind was on the far-away waters of the North Sea where they caressed the shores of Germany.

Deborah and Bret had been 'an item' since they were in high school in North Florida. They attended college in Gainesville and married during their third year. As it was true in so many cases, their lives were interrupted by the incidents of September 11, 2001. Bret felt an urgent calling to defend his country. He left college before graduation and joined the Army. He served two tours in Iraq and was now stationed in Germany as a Major responsible for the movement of men and supplies through Europe on their way to Iraq and Afghanistan. He planned to leave the service when his latest tour ended.

On this day of remembrance of the 911 occurrence, Deborah stood on the rocks and pondered the times they had stood there together and felt the spray of the ocean. They never dreamed of the direction their lives would take. Now, she was anticipating his soon return to be a father to their young son and a husband to her.

In this modern age, they had kept in touch through the internet with Skype. However, it was not the same. Skype could not hold her tight nor feel the spray of the ocean.


By William C. Highsmith - September 12, 2011