- Victoria Brookes -

Two weeks later

I was walking on the property.

We have 35 acres.

Back in California I had a few ramps built for my yard so I could practice scootering.

They get here today and are being put in the yard.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

"That's good thanks so much" I say to the workers who just put my ramps where they will stay for who knows how long.

I go into the garage and grab my scooter and helmet.

I head to the ramp and begin scootering.

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A few hours later

- Tanner Braungardt -

I'm walking to Tori's house when I see her in the driveway.

"Hey Tanner" she yells before throwing a trick on her scooter.

"What ya up to" I ask.

"Waiting" she remarks.

"Waiting for what?" I ask.

"Something" she replies.

"Your annoying" I state.

"And your nosy" She retorts.

She waits for a moment before saying "I'm waiting for someone to get here"

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- Victoria Brookes -

Before I know it my mom pulls up in the driveway with my cousin Ashton.

"Ash" I squeal as he runs up and hugs me.

"I hear you got your ramps in today can we ride?" He asks excited, like the crazy ten year old he is.

"First I want you to meet my friend tanner" I say looking over at tanner.

"Are you Tanner Braungardt?" He asks. "I watch your videos all the time my favorite was the flips into snow"

"Nice to meet you" Tanner says giving him a hug.

"Let's get you settled into your room before you do anything crazy" my mom says, my dad runs out to give Ashton a hug.

"Honey we need to talk" my father says.

That's never good.

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At dinner that night everyone was quite.

"Kids I have something I need to tell you" my father says. "I'm getting deployed I leave in a week"

I slam my fork down and run to my room.

I pack a bag with the essentials and run back up and out the front door.

I find myself walking over to the Braungardt residence.

I knock on the door and wait for someone to answer it.

"Hey Tori" Taylor says upon answering the door. "Are you okay"

She noticed my tear stained face.

"Is Tanner home" I ask.

"Yeah he has some friends over but you can go down and see him" Taylor replies allowing me to enter their home.

I run down to Tanners room stopping to take a breath me for walking up to his open door.

"Tori what are you doing here, I thought you were having dinner with your family" Tanner questions and I just break down.

He comes over to me and embraces me in a hug.

"I didn't know where else to go I'm sorry" I whisper.

"Wanna come hangout, this is my friend Mylan Ditchell" Tanner says as Dylan waves hello "and I think you met Quieten"

"Hey guys" I say in a low volume.

I set my bag down and sit on the bean bag watching the boys play guitar hero.

"My dads leaving again" I say out loud, Dylan pauses the game and looks at me.

"Is that a bad thing" Quieten asks.

"He almost didn't come home the last time he got deployed. What if he doesn't this time" I ask.

"It'll be ok. We'll help you through whatever happens. That's what friends are for right?" Tanner states.

I nod and plop down on his bed.

I soon drift of into a deep sleep.

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One week later.

"Dad please don't go" I beg.

He stands there in his uniform near the end of the driveway.

"I'll be home in 3 months unless I get an extension" he says.

Then he does what he always does before he leaves.

He saluted his children.

We salute back.