In the months leading up to my deployment, discussions at home with my merry band of pirates occassionally covered dad leaving and for how long and why. They were usually pretty short talks with only a couple of questions to be answered and not a lot of debate.
On the eve of my departure I broached the subject of my leaving with my swashbucklers as they were feasting on that evening’s bounty. The ever philosphic 9-year old Andrew the Adventurous set down his drumstick and matter of factly asked, “What abour your retirement?”
D: What about my retirement?
AA: Yeah, what about your retirement dad?
D: Do you want me to retire?
AA: Don’t you think it is time? Yes.
D: blink, blink, blink
AA: When are you going to retire?
D: I don’t know exactly, there is a lot to consider son. I have to provide for you and your brothers and mom and…
AA: Right.
He picked up his drumstick and resumed eating. The discussion was apparently over.
The following morning I drove the boys to school, saying my goodbyes to each corsair as I dropped them off. When Castaway Conner and Anderw the Adventurous hopped out of the truck and started walking to the front door of their school, backpacks bouncing on their shoulders, I said, “Hey! I won’t be here when you get home from school.”
Castaway Conner stopped, turned and ran into my arms giving me a huge hug and sloppy kiss and off he went to school.
Andrew the Adventurous cinched up his backpack, looked sideways at me as he kept walking and said, “I know dad, I’m disappointed. I’m very disappointed.”
Not your traditional “good bye” but heartfelt nonetheless. Sgt Hook out.
Posted by Hook @ 1153 zulu | | Permalink
This post is filed under: Homefront & My Swashbucklers
