Mitch, as commander of the local chapter of the American Legion, rapped the gavel on the podium.   Brogan, the Sergeant-at-Arms, closed the doors of the meeting room, located in the basement of the Baytown Community Center.  With another three raps of the gavel, the members stood as Mitch called out, “The Color Bearer will advance the Colors.”   Jason, standing in the back with Brogan, marched forward, the American flagpole in his hands, and set it in the floor stand. 

“The Chaplain will offer prayer.”   The Presbyterian minister, a member of the American Legion, stood and prayed as the group bowed their heads in unison.

The POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony followed. A chair was designated as a symbol of the thousands of American POW/MIAs still unaccounted for from all wars and conflicts involving the United States of America.  The POW/MIA flag was placed on the Empty Chair. 

The eclectic assembly included men, plus a few women, ages running from about twenty-five to almost ninety.  At the moment, there was unity as all faces turned toward the Empty Chair, a haunted expression on many of them.

After the Pledge of Allegiance and the Preamble to the American Legion Constitution, the gavel was rapped once more to indicate that everyone could take a seat. 

After the secretary’s and treasure’s reports, Mitch called on Gareth to report on the statistics of the youth baseball teams they created. Walking up to the podium, Gareth nodded to the assembly. “So far, we’ve had the teams up and running for several months now, and the response from the community has been overwhelming. We have almost fifty children, ranging in age from five to seventeen, who come out almost every weekend. We now have the support of the community and the parents. Many of the parents cannot afford to give financial assistance, but they offer what they can and have participated in some fundraising. Our budget was just reported on from the treasurer’s report, but we’re always interested in any businesses in the area who would like to assist.”

He took several questions from some of the members and with the vote to continue the program, he moved back to his seat, a grin on his face. Lance, a new resident living on the outside of town, sat stoically on one side. Gareth knew very little about him, but from what he heard, that was exactly what Lance wanted—peace and privacy. Aiden, his ever-present smile firmly in place, sat on the other side. Behind him sat Callan, one of the original Baytown Boys. He was still in the Coast Guard but luckily served at the small station in the Baytown harbor with his CG buddies, all of who had joined the American Legion. Jason, Grant, Zac, Aiden, and Brogan sat on the other side of Ginny, and Gareth noticed Brogan had managed to sit next to her. Grinning, he wondered when the big guy was going to finally ask her out…if ever.

Bringing his attention back to the meeting, another committee member was discussing the American Legion Auxiliary.

“They’ve done great work so far in the few meetings they’ve had and their fundraisers are going well. They wanted me to let you know that they are working on the Cavalcade of Memories and if you have any articles or items you would like them to display, please get them to Katelyn MacFarlane.”

At Katelyn’s name, Gareth’s heart jumped. Reaching up, he rubbed his chest, unconsciously trying to ease the tight feeling. Glancing to the side, he saw Aiden grinning at him and he smirked, knowing he was caught.

Mitch nodded toward another member, Bill, who made his way up front. Standing for a moment, his hands gripping the podium, he appeared to gather his thoughts and his strength. Swallowing deeply, staring down, he began. “I know Ms. Ginny Spencer talked a while ago about the counseling that’s offered here locally for former military. Figured I didn’t need it. I was doin’ good. But I recently got word that a buddy of mine—we got out about the same time and he headed home to Oklahoma—well, he killed himself last week.” His shoulders shook and Mitch stepped up to place his hand on Bill’s shoulder, providing steady support.

Sucking in a cleansing breath, Bill continued, “Anyway, it hit me hard and I decided to give the Eastern Shore Mental Health Group a call.” Finally lifting his head to survey the gathering, he concluded, “Should’ve done it sooner. So if me telling you this gets you out to do it too, then I hope it helps.”

The members were quiet and Gareth remembered reading that those, like him, who served in the mortuary identification section had a high depression rate. Scrubbing his hand over his face, he sighed.

As the meeting came to a close, he jumped up, ready to head to Finn’s Pub and see her again. It’s only been a couple of hours since I’ve been her, but it feels so much longer. As Gareth parked his SUV down the street and began walking toward Finn’s, he noticed Katelyn’s father standing near the door talking to another man he had seen at the meeting. As he approached, they turned toward him, Katelyn’s father calling out.

“Gareth, that was a good report about the sports teams,” Eric MacFarlane started. Clearing his throat, he said, “I’d like to introduce you to one of our members...this is David Bayles.”

Bayles…he must be Philip’s father. Uncertainty fled in the face of the man’s open expression. Shaking his hand, he said, “It’s nice to meet you, sir. I’ve heard wonderful things about your son, Philip. I’m sorry for your loss.”

Shaking his hand, David said, “Thank you, Gareth. And, please, call me David.”

As Gareth nodded, he noticed the hesitation in their eyes and cocked his head in silent invitation, girding himself for what might come.

Rubbing his chin, David said, “Uh…I know this might sound…well, odd.” Then he rushed, “And you don’t have to, but…well, I wondered if you could tell me…” Sighing heavily, he turned his dark grey eyes to Gareth and finally said, “Can you tell me what it was like…at Dover…for those who…”

Inwardly sighing in relief, he nodded in understanding. Gareth motioned toward the small table and chairs outside the pub and said, “Why don’t we sit, sir?”

The three men settled into the seats and Gareth leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. “The first thing I can tell you is that the servicemen and women were always treated with the utmost dignity.” His mind slid back to a different time and place, as he continued. “I was struck, the first time I witnessed it, how each fallen servicemember, from the time they arrived until they left Dover to be transported to their place of burial, was so respected—as much as humanly possible.”

David inhaled a shuddering breath, his voice raspy as he claimed, “No matter how many years have passed, I still feel Philip’s death as though it were now.”

“I cannot imagine your grief, sir…but know that his treatment was filled with honor. And not just at Dover. From the moment a servicemember falls, they are treated with dignity.”

“Can you tell me what you did at Dover?” Eric asked.

“I was assigned to the Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner, involved in some investigating. Officially, I was a medical-legal examiner. I reviewed the circumstances of the death. I worked with the doctors who scientifically identified the decedent and performed an autopsy. Specifically, I would perform fingerprinting, dental analysis, and assist with DNA analyses.”

David nodded silently, so Gareth took that as permission to continue. “There were changes made about the time I came in…it appears there was mishandling of…remains, and once made public, regulations changed and new military leaders came in. By the time I was assigned there, it was running the way it should have always been run. It was part of my job to do the forensic investigation, so that we knew how each servicemember died and the family could have closure.”

The slight breeze from the bay swept over the trio sitting at the table, the stars filling the night sky, each to their own memories.

David finally looked up, holding Gareth’s gaze, with a slight smile on his face. “Thank you so much for telling me this. It does help to know my son was handled so carefully. And it’s my understanding that you are now dating Katelyn?”

Shifting uncomfortably under both men’s stares, Gareth nodded. “Yes, sir. I…I’m completely aware of her former relationship with your son, Philip. I…well, I care for her greatly and I’m not trying to take away from their past—”

Raising his hands quickly, David interrupted, “Oh, no, no. Please don’t explain. My wife and I are thrilled that she’s finally found someone to be with.”

Eric’s eyes twinkled as he leaned back in his chair. “You already know, Katelyn’s mother and I are happy as well.”

Letting out a deep breath, Gareth allowed a grin to slip out. Not since his father had died had he felt such acceptance from those older than he. “Thank you, both.”

“Katelyn’s a good girl,” David said. “She’ll always be special to my wife and me.”

“Sir, I’d never try to take away that relationship,” Gareth assured.

David nodded in appreciation. “Thank you. I was worried she’d never begin to move forward, but now I feel like you’re the perfect man for her.”

“Well, then, let’s go inside and share a beer!” Eric said, slapping his hand down on the table. As the three men stood, their metal chairs scraping on the sidewalk, none noticed the pub’s slightly open window.

* * *

Katelyn stood in the pub’s ladies room, her hands on the counter, staring into the mirror before dropping her chin to her heaving chest as she fought to blink back tears. She heard the door open and felt arms encircle her from behind, knowing whom they belonged to. Jillian…of course, Jillian.

“Hey, sweetie,” Jillian greeted softly from behind, muffled, as her face was pressed against Katelyn’s back. “You okay?”

Nodding silently, Katelyn said nothing, not sure she trusted her voice.

“I saw you at the front window before you rushed in here. And I saw Gareth come in with your dad and Philip’s dad.”

Nodding again, Katelyn swallowed deeply.

“Should I be scared for you?” Jillian asked, her words still barely above a whisper.

This time Katelyn shook her head before lifting it as Jillian slid around to the side, both women staring at each other’s reflection.

“They were talking about Philip…and Gareth’s time at Dover Air Force Base. And then David told him that he would always think of me as a daughter, but that he was glad that I was moving forward with Gareth.”

Jillian’s sky-blue eyes peered closely at Katelyn’s darker blue ones and she asked, “Isn’t that a good thing?”

“Yeah, it is,” Katelyn admitted. “But it also seems very final. You know…like we’re all finally moving ahead, leaving Philip behind.” Sighing, she added, “I’ve held on to a dream for a long time. I never thought I’d love again, but the truth of the matter is that Philip might not have been my forever. I wanted him to be…I thought he would be. But we might not have been able to make our love last in the adult world.”

She closed her eyes for a moment, swallowing back the lump in her throat. Opening her eyes, she pinned her best friend’s gaze with hers in the mirror. “I’ve fallen for Gareth. Mom and Dad approve of him and seem happy. Hell, even Aiden and Brogan are on board.”

This time Jillian said nothing, offering a slight smile, her eyes warm and accepting, allowing the distant noise from the pub to fill the space. Katelyn turned on the tap and splashed cold water on her face as Jillian reached over to pluck some paper towels and held them out to her. Invigorated, Katelyn turned to face her oldest friend. “Come on…let’s go back out there. I’m ready to face the crowd…and my future.”

Grinning, Jillian threw her arms around Katelyn, squeezing her tightly. “I love you, you know.”

Laughing, Katelyn nodded, squeezing back. “I know.” Pulling away slightly, she added, “And thank you.”

Arm in arm, the two women walked back into the pub, heading directly for Grant and Gareth, sitting in a booth. Sliding next to their men, Katelyn met Gareth’s worried expression.

“You okay?” he asked, leaning in to whisper.

As his breath washed over her ear, she shivered. “Yeah…I’m great. But how about we get out of here.”

Eyes wide, he grinned as he hip-bumped her out of the booth and grabbed her hand. With a wave to their group of friends, the two left the pub, fingers as well as hearts, linked.