Chapter 3
The days passed and Katie slowly began to get use to the idea of Billy's death. She decided that she better go to the house where she and Billy were going to live and collect all their belongings. She called Billy's parents, and they told her to take whatever she wanted and bring the rest to them.
As she arrived at the beautiful house, she realized that today would have been the day that she and Billy would have returned from their honeymoon, and he would have carried her through the door. Again her eyes filled with tears. There were still several unpacked boxes but for the most part everything was in its place. Katie began sorting things out and packing them up when she heard the doorbell. This surprised her because no one knew she was there except her dad and Billy's parents, and they would have entered without knocking.
As she opened the door, there stood a delivery boy with a dozen white roses, Katie's favorite.
"I have a delivery for a Mrs. Katie Jones."
"Well, I guess that's me, but who is it from?"
"Um, it says here a Lt. Billy Jones."
"Oh, well, I am sorry, but I don't have the money to pay for them."
"Well ma'am, he paid for them over two months ago."
“Oh. Okay, well, I do have a dollar for a tip. Here you go."
" Thank you. Have a nice day."
As Katie sat down, she read the card Billy had hand written two months earlier.
Katie My Love,
I wanted to do something special on our first day in our new home. I know how much you love white roses. You will never know how much I love you. I am the luckiest man in the world to be married to you. Now, as I gave you an excuse for you to answer the door, guess you now know why. I have been planning this for quite sometime. I guess it's safe to come out now so let me know when you are finished so I can get my big hug and kiss.
Love always,
Billy
Katie only wished she could hug and kiss him. She couldn't believe he had planned this two months ago. That was how Billy always was. She would cherish his card always and have the rose petals dried so she could keep them also.
A few days later Billy's body arrived and a full military funeral was given in his honor. He was also given the highest military honors and awards for giving his life to save eight others. Katie, along with Billy's parents, accepted in his honor. Mr. and Mrs. Jones had requested two flags on his casket, one for them and one for Katie. Both, of course, were folded and presented as the full twenty-one gun salute was given.
Katie stayed to say her final good-byes to Billy. She told him how much she loved him and would miss him. As she talked she pulled the ring out that she planned to give Billy on their wedding day. She slipped it on his finger, kissed him one last time and walked away.
Before she made it to her car, she was approached by a soldier.
"Excuse me, Katie?"
"Yes."
"I was a good friend of Billy's and have information that might interest you. I can understand if you don't want to talk now, but I can contact you later."
"What information?"
"Well, it's about Billy's death."
"Were you there?"
"Yes. Look, I am not sure what you were told by the Army but I know what really happened. I can't talk here. If they see me talking to you, I'd be in big trouble. Is there somewhere we can go?"
"Yes. Here is my address. You just come whenever is best."
"Okay, I'll be there after dark tonight if that's okay."
"Yes, that's fine, but why after dark?"
"Well, I can't be seen going to your house. You see, the Army doesn't want you to know what I know. My career in the service was threatened if I ever spoke to you, but I feel you need to know what really happened. Look, I better go before I am seen. I'll be there at night fall."
As he left, Katie wondered what this was all about. Then, she noticed a piece of paper on the ground. She picked it up and unfolded it. She was awestruck by its words.
Billy's death was no accident. I am not sure why. Will give details later.
Lt. Brian Walker
Katie knew that Brian and Billy were best friends. They had graduated from West Point together. She had met him before but only a few times and really didn't know that much about him. Somehow she knew Brian was very serious about Billy's death not being an accident.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
Chapter 2
Katie was on her way to college. She had taken the bus because her dad could not take her. It was a long trip. The bus stopped in a little town about 15 miles outside of the town where Katie lived. Katie loved living in Kentucky. She loved the mountains, the horses, and the fresh air.
Several passengers got on and found their seats. A very nice looking young man sat in the seat next to Katie and introduced himself.
"Hello, my name is Billy, and I am going to the military academy at West Point."
Katie smiled. She always liked military men.
"Hello, my name is Katie, and I am on my way to college."
Katie remembered all the things they had in common and how they seemed to have known each other for a long time. They talked the entire bus ride.
At the final stop they decided to have dinner together. They continued getting to know each other. As they left, they decided to keep in touch since the college where Katie attended wasn't that far from West Point.
They talked on the phone almost everyday and got together on weekends. They really enjoyed being with each other. They kept seeing each other the four years they both were in school. When she graduated, Billy was there. When he graduated, Katie was there. They had been through a lot together in four years. Somehow they both knew they would one day get married. After graduation, they decided they would take the bus home since that was how they first met. Only this bus ride would be more memorable.
About half way home, Billy gets down in the aisle beside Katie, pulls out a ring, and says, "Katie, we have been through so much together. It was on this same bus trip we first started our relationship and it seems only fitting that this is where we take the next step. Katie, I love you more than any words could ever say, and I want to be with you forever. Will you marry me?"
Katie remembers that everyone on the bus was staring at her for an answer. With tears in her eyes, she puts her arms around Billy and yells, "Yes!" Everyone on the bus clapped and cheered as Billy put the ring on her finger and they kissed.
As Katie remembered all this, she began to cry. She knew that she and Billy now would never marry. She took her engagement ring off her finger, kissed it and said, "Billy, I'll always love you." However, she knew that as long as she wore the ring, Billy would be with her, so she slipped it back on her finger with a smile.
Katie sat there all night remembering all the good times with Billy. The time they went to the concert of their favorite country singer, the trip to New York City to shop, and one of her favorites, her surprise 21st birthday party. With every remembrance came more tears and more love. Katie finally drifted off to sleep just as the sun began to rise over the Kentucky Mountains.
The only time Katie had ever experienced such grief and pain was when her mother died. Katie was only seven. Her mother was a doctor and had gone to the hospital late one night for an emergency. It was the middle of winter and the roads were slick and icy. She was on her way back home when she noticed a car that had ran off the road in a ditch. She stopped to see if anyone was hurt and needed help. When she approached the car, a man pulled out a gun, shot her, and stole her car. The man apparently was on the run from the police for armed robbery. Help came but it was too late. Katie's mother died before the ambulance arrived and the man was never caught.
Now Katie was experiencing that grief again. Only this time she was old enough to understand it and deal with the pain and grief but it seemed more difficult. She was really too young when her mother died to go through the grieving process, so now she was reliving it and grieving again, not only for Billy, but again for her mother.
Several passengers got on and found their seats. A very nice looking young man sat in the seat next to Katie and introduced himself.
"Hello, my name is Billy, and I am going to the military academy at West Point."
Katie smiled. She always liked military men.
"Hello, my name is Katie, and I am on my way to college."
Katie remembered all the things they had in common and how they seemed to have known each other for a long time. They talked the entire bus ride.
At the final stop they decided to have dinner together. They continued getting to know each other. As they left, they decided to keep in touch since the college where Katie attended wasn't that far from West Point.
They talked on the phone almost everyday and got together on weekends. They really enjoyed being with each other. They kept seeing each other the four years they both were in school. When she graduated, Billy was there. When he graduated, Katie was there. They had been through a lot together in four years. Somehow they both knew they would one day get married. After graduation, they decided they would take the bus home since that was how they first met. Only this bus ride would be more memorable.
About half way home, Billy gets down in the aisle beside Katie, pulls out a ring, and says, "Katie, we have been through so much together. It was on this same bus trip we first started our relationship and it seems only fitting that this is where we take the next step. Katie, I love you more than any words could ever say, and I want to be with you forever. Will you marry me?"
Katie remembers that everyone on the bus was staring at her for an answer. With tears in her eyes, she puts her arms around Billy and yells, "Yes!" Everyone on the bus clapped and cheered as Billy put the ring on her finger and they kissed.
As Katie remembered all this, she began to cry. She knew that she and Billy now would never marry. She took her engagement ring off her finger, kissed it and said, "Billy, I'll always love you." However, she knew that as long as she wore the ring, Billy would be with her, so she slipped it back on her finger with a smile.
Katie sat there all night remembering all the good times with Billy. The time they went to the concert of their favorite country singer, the trip to New York City to shop, and one of her favorites, her surprise 21st birthday party. With every remembrance came more tears and more love. Katie finally drifted off to sleep just as the sun began to rise over the Kentucky Mountains.
The only time Katie had ever experienced such grief and pain was when her mother died. Katie was only seven. Her mother was a doctor and had gone to the hospital late one night for an emergency. It was the middle of winter and the roads were slick and icy. She was on her way back home when she noticed a car that had ran off the road in a ditch. She stopped to see if anyone was hurt and needed help. When she approached the car, a man pulled out a gun, shot her, and stole her car. The man apparently was on the run from the police for armed robbery. Help came but it was too late. Katie's mother died before the ambulance arrived and the man was never caught.
Now Katie was experiencing that grief again. Only this time she was old enough to understand it and deal with the pain and grief but it seemed more difficult. She was really too young when her mother died to go through the grieving process, so now she was reliving it and grieving again, not only for Billy, but again for her mother.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Chapter 1
Staring at the clock as it reads 12:00 A.M. Finally the worst day of her life is over. She breathes a deep sigh of relief. Never in a million years would she have imagined such a horrible day. It seemed to go on forever. It was suppose to be happy but it was far from it.
It all started with the alarm ringing, announcing that it was 7:00AM. Time to get up and start on the day’s tasks. She had so much to do in very little time. First to finish setting up for the reception, then pick up her dress, before going to the church to make sure everything was ready and in place. She had an appointment at eleven for her hair, make-up, and nails. After a quick lunch, she would finally meet with her bridesmaids and begin getting ready. She wondered if she would get everything done.
One by one everything was taken care of. Everything was set. She left the beauty shop looking so beautiful. She reached the church right on time. She had done it! Everything was perfect. She met her bridesmaids and they began their usual chatter.
As time for the ceremony drew closer, she went through numerous emotions. She put her dress on. She was the most beautiful bride. She had something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. Looking at the clock, there was just enough time for a quick trip to the bathroom, mirror check, and to have that little talk with Daddy.
Looking in the mirror one last time, she heard a knock at the door. Opening it she saw her father with a very saddened look. "Daddy, it's not that bad. I'll always be your little girl," she giggles.
"Princess, he's not coming."
"Who's not coming?" she asks.
He takes her hand and leads her to a chair. "Honey, something went wrong."
"Daddy who's not coming and what went wrong?"
He tearfully looks at his daughter and says, "Billy's dead."
She quickly looks at her father. Her eyes filling with tears, "Daddy, that can't be." "Katie honey I'm sorry but we just received word."
Rising and walking to the window, " Daddy, how did it happen?"
"Honey, all the details aren't for sure but the Army told us what they knew."
"Daddy, are they sure it was Billy?"
"Yes, Katie. He was still wearing his dog tags and all his records matched."
"Oh Daddy, why did this have to happen? I want to be Mrs. Billy Jones."
" Yes, I know, but you knew he was a Lieutenant in the Special Forces before you got engaged. He was out on the last mission before his leave. His team had to recover some POW's and wounded soldiers. They loaded the wounded on the chopper and went back to where they had hidden the POW's after escaping with them. They were taking them to the chopper. Just before reaching them, they were fired upon. They took cover in the woods, but the chopper was across an open field, and it could only remain a short time. They had no choice but to try to make it. Billy took the responsibility of covering while the rest of his team and the POW's made a run for the chopper. Katie, stop me anytime."
"No Daddy, I want to know. I need to know."
"Well, he was covering them as they went to the chopper. They all made it safely. Billy continued firing as he went to the chopper. As he reached it and turned to jump in, he was shot. They grabbed him and pulled him in as the chopper lifted off. They worked with him and did all they could, but he died before they got to the hospital. If it's any comfort, he died a hero and saved the lives of the other eight men."
Katie begins crying uncontrollably. She drops to her knees and buries her face in her hands. "Billy. Billy!"
Her father rushes to her and puts his arms around her. "It's OK Princess, just let it out."
"Daddy, did he say anything before he died?"
"I don't know, but I'll do my best to help you find out. Katie, I am going to go get Amy and the rest of your bridesmaids to help you get your dress off and then we will go home."
"Daddy, do you think Mama and Billy will meet each other in Heaven?" "Baby, if I know your mother, she is up there right now fusing at Billy for getting shot and not being here. Don't worry. I am sure your mother and Billy are watching out for each other and then they both will watch over you."
After finally getting home and taking care of some business, Katie decides to try to sleep but it just isn't working. Every time she closes her eyes, she sees Billy getting shot. Now as the clock strikes midnight, she thinks back to the day that she and Billy first met on that long bus ride.
It all started with the alarm ringing, announcing that it was 7:00AM. Time to get up and start on the day’s tasks. She had so much to do in very little time. First to finish setting up for the reception, then pick up her dress, before going to the church to make sure everything was ready and in place. She had an appointment at eleven for her hair, make-up, and nails. After a quick lunch, she would finally meet with her bridesmaids and begin getting ready. She wondered if she would get everything done.
One by one everything was taken care of. Everything was set. She left the beauty shop looking so beautiful. She reached the church right on time. She had done it! Everything was perfect. She met her bridesmaids and they began their usual chatter.
As time for the ceremony drew closer, she went through numerous emotions. She put her dress on. She was the most beautiful bride. She had something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. Looking at the clock, there was just enough time for a quick trip to the bathroom, mirror check, and to have that little talk with Daddy.
Looking in the mirror one last time, she heard a knock at the door. Opening it she saw her father with a very saddened look. "Daddy, it's not that bad. I'll always be your little girl," she giggles.
"Princess, he's not coming."
"Who's not coming?" she asks.
He takes her hand and leads her to a chair. "Honey, something went wrong."
"Daddy who's not coming and what went wrong?"
He tearfully looks at his daughter and says, "Billy's dead."
She quickly looks at her father. Her eyes filling with tears, "Daddy, that can't be." "Katie honey I'm sorry but we just received word."
Rising and walking to the window, " Daddy, how did it happen?"
"Honey, all the details aren't for sure but the Army told us what they knew."
"Daddy, are they sure it was Billy?"
"Yes, Katie. He was still wearing his dog tags and all his records matched."
"Oh Daddy, why did this have to happen? I want to be Mrs. Billy Jones."
" Yes, I know, but you knew he was a Lieutenant in the Special Forces before you got engaged. He was out on the last mission before his leave. His team had to recover some POW's and wounded soldiers. They loaded the wounded on the chopper and went back to where they had hidden the POW's after escaping with them. They were taking them to the chopper. Just before reaching them, they were fired upon. They took cover in the woods, but the chopper was across an open field, and it could only remain a short time. They had no choice but to try to make it. Billy took the responsibility of covering while the rest of his team and the POW's made a run for the chopper. Katie, stop me anytime."
"No Daddy, I want to know. I need to know."
"Well, he was covering them as they went to the chopper. They all made it safely. Billy continued firing as he went to the chopper. As he reached it and turned to jump in, he was shot. They grabbed him and pulled him in as the chopper lifted off. They worked with him and did all they could, but he died before they got to the hospital. If it's any comfort, he died a hero and saved the lives of the other eight men."
Katie begins crying uncontrollably. She drops to her knees and buries her face in her hands. "Billy. Billy!"
Her father rushes to her and puts his arms around her. "It's OK Princess, just let it out."
"Daddy, did he say anything before he died?"
"I don't know, but I'll do my best to help you find out. Katie, I am going to go get Amy and the rest of your bridesmaids to help you get your dress off and then we will go home."
"Daddy, do you think Mama and Billy will meet each other in Heaven?" "Baby, if I know your mother, she is up there right now fusing at Billy for getting shot and not being here. Don't worry. I am sure your mother and Billy are watching out for each other and then they both will watch over you."
After finally getting home and taking care of some business, Katie decides to try to sleep but it just isn't working. Every time she closes her eyes, she sees Billy getting shot. Now as the clock strikes midnight, she thinks back to the day that she and Billy first met on that long bus ride.
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