A playful boy seeming to be happy and cheerful spent his childhood days mostly out doors.
Trying to keep away from the dangers from inside the house.
His mother loving, and strong.
His sister trustworthy and gentle.
His father, a drunk who was to be feared by the small boy.
Sister protecting him, his father ran away.
He soon met a little girl at church.


The little girl and the little boy became best friends.
Anxious for every Sunday when they got to see each other.
Soon, the little girl began to crush on him.
Holding in her feelings for a long time, she finally told him.
Feeling better that she got her feelings out, she was thankful for him.
She enjoyed his company.


Then, one Sunday, the little boy wasn't at church.
The little girl was sad.
She kept hoping he would be there every week....
But he never returned.
Soon, she stopped going to church.
Minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years passed.
Not a day went by without her thinking about him.


On the first day of High school she spotted a boy who looked like the one she was so fond of.
Studying his every move, listening to the tones of his voice, she moved in.
Sweetly calling his name, he turned. Immediately She remembered those tender eyes.
Him taking a moment to recognize her, she turned, hoping he would pursue her.
He did. His eyes lighting up when he remembered her.
The next couple of months were spent with the two of them catching up.
She was in heaven.


She told him she sill liked him.
Him not feeling the same, she tried to part herself from him.
Wanting so much to be on his arm.
Then unexpectedly, she started home school.
Not seeing him for almost nine months and knowing he didn't like her, she was sure she was over him.
Then her sister had a birthday party, and he was invited.
Convinced she didn't like him, she was sure they could be friends again.


They watched a scary movie, and he had volunteered to be her cuddle buddy.
When they held hands, there was a shock they both felt.
When the scary movie came to an end, they continued to hold hands and cuddle.
That night he told her he thought he liked her.
He asked her out and he said yes. In a heartbeat.
It was 5 weeks, and they were talking about their future.
Her afraid, and him, being strong for her.


They got engaged.
She became a writer, and he decided to go into the Marine Corps.
He was leaving.
It was a cold and rainy fall day.
Tears streaming down her face, he wiped them away and whispered “Be strong for me.”
She closed her eyes, and savored his words, and kiss.
When she opened her eyes, he was walking to the curb.


He turned.
Their eyes met, and they shouted “I love you!” to one another.
He climbed into a cab and it sped off.
Covering her mouth and clenching her stomach, she fell to her knees in the doorway.
Feeling like someone was tearing her heart out, she cried until she couldn't cry anymore.
Depression had fallen upon her like a brick.
A year went by with out her seeing him.

One day, he walked through the doorway and she jumped into his arms.
Kissing him, and hugging him too tightly, she took his hand and led him upstairs.
She lead him into a little pink room, and soon, they were standing over a crib.
He started to tear up.
“Annibelle” she whispered to him.
He smiled, and hugged her again before picking up his daughter.
Her heart was complete again.


He was home for two months.
Not nearly enough time to get to know his newborn daughter and love his wife.
He handed her an envelope before leaving once again.
With Annibelle on her hip, she took it.
Feeling his touch, tears once again began to fall.
Seeing him leave again hurt her.
Annibelle began to cry.
Inside the envelope was a letter to Annibelle.


Months passed without a letter from her beloved.
She growing older by the minute, and Annibelle growing up .
Six months after he left, she got word.
Word that shook her world.
She let go.
She remembered his touch, his kiss, and his voice.



At his funeral, She cried. It seemed she had been crying forever.
Annibelle, to young to know what she had lost, really never knew, seemed sad.
Years passed, and she thought about him every day.
She was too young to be widowed.
She was sitting in a chair reading, when her young, beautiful brown eyed angel walked in.
Looking too much like her father, she held up a picture.
“Who is this mommy?” She held the picture gently before tearing up.


Helping her daughter up on her lap, she began to tell her a tale.
“This is your daddy.” She said.
“It is?” Annibelle replied.
“Yes. He was a good man. And he loved you very much.”
“But, mommy, I just saw him.”
Her heart dropped. “When?”
“When I came in. He was standing over you mommy.”


She began to cry.
She cried like she hadn't cried in years.
Annibelle wrapped her arms around her.
“Don't cry mommy.” She said sweetly.
She looked into Annibelle's eyes, it was almost as if he was staring back at her.
“I love you sweetheart” She said.


Old now, Annibelle married and gone, she was living alone.
Her hands were wrinkled and worn.
Her face had seen better days, and everyday she was in pain.
Almost preying for death now, she fell asleep.
It had been almost 60 years since her beloved had passed.
She felt someone grab her hand.
“Annibelle? Is that you?” She softly asked.


She opened her eyes ever so slightly.
She couldn't believe who she was staring at.
He held her hand too tightly.
He sat by her bedside and whispered;
“I'm here baby. You've done well. I'll be here for you.”
He leaned over to her, kissed her cheek and said;
“Forever and always.”