Full Circle

The cool air was crisp with wonderment. It was one of those rare October nights when you felt like you could reach out and actually touch Mother Nature. She was laughing in the gently rustling leaves; twirling in the air around you and kissing with a light touch on the cheek. It was a magical time of wonder and mystery.

Ann sat on the highest bench of the football field, shaking. However, it wasn't the cold effecting her. It was the mission that troubled her. What did it have to be at that place and on, of all dates, October 19 ^th ?

As she reached up to push a wisp of red hair away from her eyes, she couldn't stop the memories from flooding back. Tears welled in her eyes, but they weren't tears of sadness at that moment. They were tears of joy.

Staring down at the football players and cheerleaders below, Ann couldn't believe how little had changed in 55 years. The stadium was bigger, of course. The boys and girls looked older than she remembered looking at that age. But, overall, everything had the same vibe as it had when she was their age.

Her head turned to locate the spot where she and Raymond had sat for their first date. It was a game much like the one she watched now. It was an evening much like the one she was enjoying while she could.

They had cheered and held hands, huddling together against the cool breeze. The moment had been perfect. It sealed what she had known from the moment she meant Ray. They were destined to be together.

She was only 15 at the time. However, she wasn't young in the way that counted. Her life had been a difficult one. It had forced her to grow up way before her time. That's why the three years of age difference between her and Raymond had meant nothing.

Their courtship had been a long one. He'd waited for her to grow up. She'd waited for him to return from the war. But, in the end, everything had turned out, as it should. They'd married less than a year after his return. She was 19. He was almost 22.

As an Air Force wife, she got the chance to travel. She was just thankful to get out of the town where she'd spent most of her life. Places like Texas and Kansas weren't exotic, but they were a change of pace and she enjoyed that. Their trip to Germany, on the other hand, was wonderful. There she finally found her sense of purpose being a stay-at-home mom. Her children had meant the world to her.

In her mind's eye, she could still see them. Shawn, with his father's soulful brown eyes, artistic soul and need for approval. Elise, with her grandmother's fiery temper, gentle heart and amazing compassion. They'd both grown into fine adults and wonderful parents. Ann could have asked for nothing more.

The cheers of the cheerleaders on the field brought her mind back into focus. She missed her husband. Her assignments often kept them apart. She had a sudden urge to bask in the love she always saw in his eyes. She wanted to feel his arms encircling her and holding her tight.

"You were thinking of me," A male voice on her left startled Ann. She turned to stare at the one face she knew better than her own.

"What are you doing here?" The question was lame and the truth was she didn't even care. She was just happy to see him. By habit, she titled her head to place it on his shoulder. "I've missed you!"

"Ditto, Kitten." The words wiggled into Ann's heart and made it beat faster, just as it always had. She loved that he called her that as a sign of affection.

"You didn't think I would let you do this alone, did you?" Ray turned to look into his wife's turquoise blue eyes. "We're a team, remember? Always and forever!"

All that Ann could do was nod. It was one of those perfect moments when words weren't needed. They were back where they'd first fallen in love. They'd come full circle.

The two enjoyed watching the rest of the game together, cheering and having fun as they had done so many years before. It wasn't until the two-minute mark rang out, that the mood changed once again. Ann became somber.

"We can't change what's meant to be, sweetheart." Raymond had a way of knowing what Ann was thinking. "That's not up to us."

"I know," she replied back with regret filling her voice and tears forming in her eyes. "But the pain this will cause our daughter," she started before sobs kept her from completing the sentence.

"We'll be there with her," Raymond reminded his bride. "She'll feel our love and she'll pull through."

"I couldn't have," Ann insisted. "I wasn't strong enough."

"You were always stronger than you gave yourself credit for," Ray volleyed back. "So much stronger."

"I guess it's time." Ann rose and took her husband's hand to help him up too. Together they began descending the steps slowly. They were in no hurry to get where they were going.

By the time they reached the bottom, the team and most of the fans had already left the field. Cars were piling out of the parking lot. Screams and laughter filled the air. But this time, neither Ann nor Ray could muster as much as a smile.

Ann turned to watch a handsome blonde boy run out of the dugout. He stopped to look all around him; searching for something. Soon, the object he sought flew into his arms. It was a pretty red head with freckles. She was laughing and kissing him non-stop.

"It's a good thing my parents aren't here right now," the boy said. "My mom would faint." He was kidding, at least partially. His mother was a tad old-fashioned, but in a good way. She liked her son's girlfriend, Ellie very much. However, she was always quick to remind them both that they were just 16 and needed to take things a little slower.

"Ah, but I can wrap your dad around my little finger, John" Ellie teased, but only partially. She was a good girl. Anyone who knew her was certain of that, including John's father. "Oh, gotta go. The girls are waiting." With that, she turned and ran toward the other cheerleaders.

Ann braced herself as the boy moved forward. He stopped to watch the traffic, looking both directions as his mother had taught him. He didn't move until it was apparent that the cars were backed up at the light. He stepped between the two cars in front of him, but something caught his eye on the ground.

As he bent to deal with the object -- untied shoelaces -- the car behind him suddenly lurched forward, pinning him between the two cars. It quickly backed up and the driver got out to assist the boy. But it was evident right away that it was too late.

Ann stepped forward to gather him in her arms. With every ounce of empathy she could muster, she pulled the pain away from him and into herself. It was almost more than she could bear. But then her husband joined her, adding his strength to her own.

As the sirens blazed closer to the scene, the couple cradled the fallen boy. Ann sang a soft lullaby; the same one she had sang to her children when they were small. The peaceful smile on the boy's lips said it all. She'd completed her mission as charged.

Rising to her feet, she reached out to take the hand of her grandson. He smiled at her with recognition. Then he turned to smile at his grandfather as well.

Hands locked together, the three spirits ascended into the heavens. It was time to go home.