PART 13 – The Photograph Caleb Carried Home Was No Longer Just a Reminder of Someone Who Could Not Be There

The picture stayed in my mind long after breakfast.

I kept thinking about the way Caleb had taken it from his backpack.

He had carried it into that gymnasium because he wanted his father close.

I understood that better than he probably realized.

When the breakfast finally began winding down, I helped him gather his things.

He checked his backpack twice.

"Got everything?"

He nodded.

Then he touched the front of his blazer.

I smiled.

"Ready?"

"Yes, Grandpa."

We walked past the tables.

A few fathers greeted us.

One of them stopped long enough to shake my hand.

"Chief, that was quite a moment."

I thanked him.

I did not know what else to say.

Caleb stayed beside me.

He was not holding my hand anymore, but he walked close enough that our shoulders occasionally touched.

At the doors, he turned around.

He looked toward the stage.

The American flag was still hanging behind the podium.

"Grandpa?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think Dad would have liked today?"

I looked at him.

"I think he would have loved it."

Caleb nodded.

Then we stepped outside.

The morning air felt different.

I took a slow breath.

My knees were beginning to hurt.

My shoes were not as comfortable as I remembered.

But I did not regret wearing the uniform.

Not for one second.

Click here to continue reading: PART 14: When We Returned Home, Jess Could See From Caleb’s Face That Something Had Changed Inside That Gymnasium