Leo looked at his shoes.
“He didn’t know he’d miss his flight. He just pushed the chair. And when we got to Gate 31 and Marcus was standing there, I – ” Luke stopped. Cleared his throat once. “I hadn’t cried in front of anyone since February. I cried in front of this kid.”
Mrs. Garza was definitely crying. Leo could see her in his peripheral vision, pressing her fingers to the bridge of her nose.
The Flag
Dennis Pruitt stepped forward and handed the folded flag back to Luke. Luke held it out toward Leo with both hands, the crutches tucked against his sides at an angle that looked like it took practice.
“This flag flew over FOB Sharana in 2019,” Luke said. “My team carried it. I want you to have it.”
Leo took it. It was heavier than he expected. Not the weight of the fabric – the weight of it being offered.
