So I have the song "white winter hymnal" by fleet foxes. Stuck in my head so have this.
"I was put in charge of a team. They all followed me. They followed me through the forests, the battlefields, the snow. I did my best as a leader. These people became more than teammates. They were my brothers. Not just brothers. I loved those men like sons."
"They were lucky to have you as a captain" Nick says, trying to hold in tears. Their captain had been like this for months after surviving being shot in the head. He didn't realize he was talking to his team. They didn't dare tell him either. Because then he'd ask where Dylan was. The didn't have the heart to tell him, that Dyaln died that night. They know their captain. They don't want to see him, blame himself. Because no one blames him. The captain looks proudly at the flag on his dresser. Forgetting what a folded flag means. But he doesn't see the dog tags laying near. The ones labeled Dylan Michael. That Dylan didn't have anyone but the cap. They would let him keep his happiness. That's the least they could do for him.
Dylan had just completed basic. His bushy black tail swishes softly behind him. He was so excited to join a team. To have a pack. He followed the team everywhere. Sniffing out enemies and explosives. Dylan's friends noted how they've never seen him so happy. The captain took Dylan under his wing. After each misson he would scratch Dylan between his fluffy black ears. Dylan loved the captain and saw him as a father. The captain saw Dylan as a son. He would smile proudly after every find Dylan made. The other men would smile warmly watching Dylan's tail wag furiously. The captain would laugh and scowl if anyone had anything to say. Dylan may be a hybrid, but he is the son the captain always wanted.
Dylan was so excited to get to go another misson. Another opportunity to make the captain proud. He stood proudly in his tac vest. Tail wagging as he waited for the captains call. "Alright kid, find em" the captain smiled. "On it dad!" Dylan yelled and took off. The team followed the captain and Dylan. Nick smiled as Dylan started sniffing. Then the crack of a gun sounded. Dylan fell, turning the snow red. The Captain yelled and ran. Another crack and the captain fell. "Austin!! Dylan!!!" The team yelled. Dylan didn't make it. But the captain, Austin. Did. But he doesn't know his son, didn't.
"It's better if he doesn't know..." Nick whispered to the medic.
The doctor talks to Nick and the team. Explaining that Austin's memory is coming back. Against all odds. The captain starts to recognize them. "Nick... my Lieutenant... Wendell..... my sergeant....." Austin whispers. Smiling at them softly, pride in his eyes.
"We have to tell him Nick!" Wendell argues. "His memory is coming back! It's only a matter of time!" He continues. Nick looks away, fists clenched. "That man was like a son! No! Dylan was his his son! That man always wanted a kid. So when that bright eyed 18 year old showed up? That looked up to him such happiness? Of course he took him in! I love Austin! I can't.... I can't do that to him" Nick says, voice cracking. "Nick.... it's only a matter of time that he figures it out. We owe it to him to tell him.." Wendell whispers. Nick's jaw clenches "fine....." Nick says with a sigh.
They walk in with soft smiles and sit beside the bed. "Hey cap..." Nick says. Wendell looks at Nick, smiling softly. Nick swallows and clears his throat. "That day.... you and Dylan were shot. Sniper most likely.." Nick starts and clears his throat again. Austin sits up and notices the folded flag. Nick and Wendell can see it, in Austin's face. Austin stares at the flag and sees the dog tags. "No...... please...... tell me it's not true..... not Dylan.... not my boy...." Austin chokes out. His eyes filled with tears. "Please Nick.... please.... not my boy..... not my boy..... not my Dylan....." Austin sobs. Nick and Wendell hold him as he breaks. "I'm so sorry..... so sorry....." Nick whispers. Tears falling down his own face. "My boy!" Austin yells out. As if cursing the world.
Austin stands at the dresser. Staring at the flag and dog tags. Tears roll down his face. Nick and Wendell stay silent as they stand near. "He was my boy.... I always wanted a kid... the military life never allowed it... but then came Dylan.." Austin says. Talking maybe to himself. He doesn't really know. "I remember the day he showed up on base. He just wanted to do good. All he wanted was to make me proud.. I sent my boy out there.... and he went.. he gave it his all for years... my boy just wanted to make me proud.... his tail always wagged so hard before missons.... my boy's tail didn't quit wagging... I remember.... I saw his body drop.... then his tail stopped.... my boy just wanted to make me proud...." Austin whispers, voice cracking. Fresh tears spill and a quiet sob escapes. "My boy just wanted to make me proud!" Austin yelled.
Austin couldn't bring himself to stop staring at the folded flag. For days, he stared. Nick and Wendell worried. So did the doctors. He stares at the flag like he can will it to be untrue. That if he stared hard enough, Dylan would return. For days, Austin talked and talked about his boy. Nick and Wendell listened. "That kid.... was such a good one.. he never complained ever. He'd do anything for a pat, scratch, or good work. He never questioned whatever I asked of him. He just did it, always.... because he just wanted to make me proud...... he was my boy.... my boy just wanted to make me proud.... I ain't afraid to tell anyone and everyone. About my son..... my boy.... my Dylan..... I got weird looks.... but I didn't care... neither did my boy... his tail still wagged. Never could get that tail of his to stop... it only wagged faster when I laughed.... because my boy just wanted to be loved and make me proud... I'm so proud of my boy.... I always was...." Austin whispers. His chuckle sounding dry. As fresh tears spill.
Against all odds again. Austin returns to active duty. The base feels empty, mass feels lonely, laughter feels far. He passes by Dylan's old room and each time expects to see him or at least his stuff. The first deployment feels wrong. No Dylan with a wagging tail that thumps loudly through the chopper. No ears the twitch and flick in the wind and stick out awkwardly around the headphones. No smile that could beat the sun rays. For the first time in years. Austin doesn't get to see Dylan's tail wag so fast it's a blur. Who is so careful not to let it thump the chopper anymore. As he looks back and stands tall, ready for the word. His captain's call. When he says move out it feels foreign. He got used to saying "Find em kid." So used to hearing "on it dad." Back. It feels different and not the good kind. The kind that settles in your bones and burrows deep. Feeling like it leaves holes everywhere. It feels hollow.
Until the faithful day a new recruit joins. A bright eyed and bushy tailed recruit. With grey fluffy ears and a bushy grey tail. There are black markings along the tail and the right ear is half black. Her tail wags furiously. Happy to have a purpose. Happy to have a pack. It's when she introduces herself to Austin. That Austin realizes, he's not done.... he's got another kid to take care of. One that reminds him of his Dylan.
"Welcome to the team Jamie Dallas..." he smiles softly.














