"Fourth of July

I stood in the field enjoying the warmth of the sun and smell of freshly mowed grass. My family was before me. Laughing and joking amongst themselves. It was apparent that a boy invited to the party and one of my daughters had an affinity for each other. Earlier there had been a rib cook off and participants passed their offerings around to be tested by eager family members. I had just flown in for the weekend before I deploy.

Off in the distance was the echo of gunfire over the trees. Then again. The acrid smell of cordite rose to my nose. I turned from my position in left field facing the tree line behind me. Three men in long flowing gowns ran in unison from one place of concealment to another just inside the trees. A long staccato burst of light machinegun fire rolled in the distance. They moved again. It was apparent they were very good. And aggressive. I turned to warn that we were going to be outflanked when I spotted my wife looking at me from first base. She had a strange look on her face. Far behind her a bottle rocket rose and exploded in a wonder of glittering stars. Children oohed and aahed. The setting sun cast a brilliant pink hue across the baseball diamond.

I had somehow forgotten. It was Fourth of July. The fireworks came as a suprise, interrupting a tranquil and dreamlike day.

There was no gunfire. And the were no insurgents. I turned again and looked back at the treeline just to make sure."
Chapter: War