Cry for Home – Flash Fiction
This week’s photo prompt is provided by pixabay.com
Cry for Home
I remember when we were just Privates sitting around mocking our Sergeants. “War’s hell!” we would shout with our chests puffed out. We thought everything was a joke. Then we came into contact with our first real battle. 8,000 miles from home. No clue who were friendlies and who were the enemy. Everything was foreign to us. There was no more time for jokes.
I sat outside my barracks one night having a smoke. I’d just lost another friend, Charlie Baker. A hometown boy. I felt a nudge at my side. As I turned around, there sat the cutest dog I’d seen in a long time. Reminded me of Charlie’s dog, Pete. I rubbed it’s head for a while. I’d never cried for home until then.
©2016 Lori Carlson. All rights reserved.
(125 words)
This fun fiction prompt is brought to you by Priceless Joy, Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers and friends. Come join us!
Promptly Written 
Dogs are needed so that one can do such things!
I agree, Roger 🙂
So sensitive and well written
Thank you, Jacqueline 🙂
Your story reads with a powerful insight of what a soldier might feel. It is written with great sensitivity. I liked it very much.
Isadora 😎
Thank you, Isadora 🙂 I appreciate the beautiful comment 🙂
Such a sweet sad story.
Thank you, Susan 🙂
Great portrayal of a soldier’s “coming of age” from rookie through first battle and on.
Thank you, dear 🙂
Heartbreaking and beautiful
Thank you 🙂
Great soldier’s story. At least the dog allowed him to grieve for his lost friend and to perhaps, remind him of good times had with him. Very sad but well written.
Thank you, Mandibelle 🙂
A lovely tribute to the importance that animals can have in our lives.
Thank you hun 🙂
Awww, that is heart touching. Animals touch our heart strings. Wonderful story! I loved how he was “hardened” throughout the story, until he met the dog.
Thank you, PJ… yes, animals tend to soften us, don’t they? 🙂
Yes, they really do! 🙂
Dogs have been the best companions for soldiers since the start of war. I liked this story a lot.
Poignant story and a real coming-of-age tale. Good stuff :0
Thank you, Sonya 🙂
Thank you, my angel!