A Story of Change & Faith Elise Palatine: MG5 PROLOGUE What does change mean, exactly? Is it when the skies, black as coal, suddenly light up the whole sky? I guess that can be one example, but does that really define change? Change has a different meaning for everyone whether it came from a personal experience or one that doesn’t even make much sense. My definition of change, however, means more to me than anything else. CHAPTER 1 I was born in a small rural town just east of the Mississippi River. Everybody knew everybody here and there were no strangers. The only time an unfamiliar car would pass by is when visitors would drive to the Mississippi River, which wasn’t too often. My family lived in a two-story house, but we didn’t have a basement. I had an 18-year old brother named Trent; he was 6 years older than me. I looked up to Trent; he was a great role model. I loved having him around. But soon, living in the same house as Trent would no longer be an option. My brother would soon become a soldier in the United States Army, a fact that I was both proud and disappointed about. CHAPTER 2 “Faith,” my brother called to me from across the yard, “over here!” I threw the football in a perfect spiral to Trent who was currently being chased around the backyard by my dad who was attempting to tackle Trent and intercept the football. The ball soared to Trent’s open arms. He caught the ball; it was a phenomenal catch! My dad shook his head, making me laugh. “Great pass, Faith,” my mom complimented from the porch where she was reading a Bon Appétit magazine. “Hey Trent, do you think I should make a mushroom penne for your departure?” she asked. Just the thought of the day when Trent would leave for the military made me shiver. I knew he was brave and heroic for risking his life but I would miss him. The day was coming so near, so quickly. It was only five days from today! “Yum, mom that sounds delicious,” my brother answered. He had a
hint of excitement in his voice. I was happy for Trent, I truly was, but that did not mean I was happy for myself.
CHAPTER 3 Five days went by at rapid speed. The day my brother would leave finally arrived. I woke up and instantly felt a pang of worry in my stomach. I turned over so my face was squished against the pillow. The tears started flowing. The hot liquid streamed down my face and was soaked up by my pillow. I knew my admiration for my brother would grow every day he was gone and that was a fact. “Honey, it’s time to come downstairs for breakfast,” my dad said softly, suddenly appearing at my door. “Okay, I’ll be there in a few minutes,” I mumbled while lifting myself out of bed. I put weight on my own two feet but I stumbled. It was going to be a long day. CHAPTER 4 I went over to my dresser and picked out my most patriotic-looking garments, a red star t-shirt and blue jeans. Then, I dragged myself down the stairs, wondering what the day would bring. When I reached the kitchen, I was bombarded with red, white and blue decorations. There were streamers hanging from the lamps, balloons bouncing and floating around and a huge banner that read, “FAREWELL TRENT: WE’RE PROUD!” Trent stood in the middle of the kitchen, dressed in his camouflage army uniform. My parents smiled and served up our breakfast—a big plate of star-shaped pancakes topped with strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream. I sat down at the table and helped myself to a big heap of pancakes. Trent sat across from me. I looked up and we made eye contact, which was too much for me to bear. I quickly glanced away with tears in my eyes. I still could not believe I would be without my older brother, wondering each day if he was hurt, or worse, dead. CHAPTER 5 After breakfast, I had to get ready for the goodbye family gettogether we would host in the afternoon. I prepared food and drinks and helped clean the kitchen. After about an hour, some of my aunts and uncles showed up at the house. “There’s our brave little soldier,” my Aunt Kathy greeted with tears
in her eyes. They were obviously tears of joy. Everyone was grinning as if they just won the lottery. I stood there awkwardly while everyone exchanged hugs. I felt like I was invisible. “Faith is very proud of Trent,” my mom announced, noticing my uncomfortable state. “We are too, honey,” Uncle Cliff agreed. Then everyone went back to cooing over my brother, which I would have been okay with if I wasn’t so afraid of him leaving. CHAPTER 6 The family “party” consisted of food, chatting and games. Near the end of the gathering, we played a cousin vs. aunts and uncles baseball game. The kids won, of course. We named Trent MVP. After the gathering, when everyone left, I raced up to Trent and wrapped him in a huge bearhug. “I’m going to miss you,” I whispered as tears stained his uniform. “I’ll miss you too. But remember, you’ll always be in my mind and in my heart,” he responded. We both pulled away. “C’mon Trent and Faith, it’s time to go to the airport!” my mom shouted. We all hopped in the car for the drive to the airport. The ten-minute car ride felt like an eternity. It felt as if I was watching paint dry, each second slower than the last. When we finally arrived at the airport, my whole family got out of the car and entered the security part of the airport. As we approached the gate, getting closer and closer every second, I felt my mouth become as dry as sandpaper. At the security gate, I would have to say goodbye to Trent because who knows when I would see him next. CHAPTER 7 The last few steps to security felt like they were in slow-motion. But, as we got there and Trent boarded his stuff on the conveyor belt, I started to cry. “Come here, Faith,” Trent grabbed my shoulders and positioned me in front of him so I was staring into his deep blue eyes. “You will always mean so much to me. I promise I will come home to you one day. But now, you have to let me go to serve our country.” “Okay,” was all I could say. “Good. Be brave for me, please? I can’t be in the battlefield with a gun while feeling guilty,” he added. I grabbed Trent in a hug and we stood there for a second with no other thoughts.
“Excuse me, sir, you are holding up the line,” interrupted the security guard. Trent quickly hugged and kissed our mom and dad then went off on his way. I felt proud as I watched him walk. My dad patted me on the back and we turned around, returning to our car. Suddenly, I noticed a longing pain in my stomach. It was at that point I realized that things would never be the same. My life was changing faster than the rising and falling of the temperature. But, I decided not to cry; change was NOT something to weep about. CHAPTER 8 The days without Trent went on. Soon days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. It wasn’t until five months after Trent left that I mustered up enough courage to write him a letter and put it in the mail. I kept wondering when Trent would write back. I supposed he would be able to mail a letter back soon when he found the time. The days went by. After a little over a month, I received a letter with a yellow stamp reading “United States Army”. I opened it up eagerly assuming that my brother wrote back. There were only nine words in the body of the note: Your son/daughter Trent is missing in action. CHAPTER 9 I gasped. “Why?” I thought, “Why?” I felt a cold rush over my body and suddenly I was as cold as an ice glacier. I started to shiver. I tried to run to get my mom but I couldn’t move and I couldn’t speak. My feet were glued to the kitchen floor. “Hey, Faith,” my mom greeted, appearing at the bottom of our staircase. “Tr-Tr-Trent is M.I.A,” I told her, bursting into tears. “No, he can’t be.” I could tell my mom was only being strong for my sake. “I need a moment to myself,” my mom said. “O-okay,” I stuttered, not knowing what else to say. I was terrified. What would happen next?
CHAPTER 10 I sat down on our couch, feeling miserable. I couldn’t believe that my role model was missing in action. I just wanted him to be with me. The doorbell rang. It sounded loud and clear in the silent house. I was reluctant to answer but I decided I should. I shuffled to the door, unlocked it, and said, “Hi, may I help you?” without looking up. “Well, I guess,” answered a voice that sounded oddly like Trent’s. I glanced up and locked my eyes on the same deep blue eyes that Trent had. “Trent?” I wondered aloud. “Yes, it’s me,” Trent replied. I jumped into his arms. After a few seconds, I pulled away while smiling. “You’re back,” I whispered. “Come on in, tell me EVERYTHING.” “Well, Faith, I’m going to reenlist in the army,” said Trent. I could not help but grin. Change is a good thing. It’s when although you may love something, times may be different and you have to give it up. But that doesn’t mean you must stop loving it.