A Soldier’s Fall, A Husband’s Rise From Ruin

I stayed quiet, as she wanted.

Before selling the home and being sent to the border post, I still went to Alexander’s art show.

It came from a sudden thought.

His good-looking face was shown on a huge screen in the main city square; the show was named “Key to the Heart Within.”

Those were words we used to write in letters when we were young.

They were the clean hopes of youth. They were the real blessings from my comrades.

With the last bit of my hurting longing, I put on full gear and the moment I walked into the place, I felt like a cornered mouse watching someone else celebrate until I saw “Key to the Heart Within.”

The picture showed two bodies holding each other.

I had kissed the mole on the woman’s chest many times.

The man kissed her, the bed behind them covered with light green sheets and outside the window were blooming magnolias.

Those were the kinds I had picked myself at the service counter.

The pink flowers moved in the wind, peaceful and pretty. That was my home.

So that place was also where he and Charlotte had their first intimate moment.

So her heart went to him and the key to her heart went to Charlotte.

Suddenly, I felt a strong sickness in my stomach. I vomited all over the floor.

This startled the two people greeting guests.

A low voice leaned close to my ear, “Comrade, were you okay?”

The heart badge on his chest shone; it matched the key shape on the woman’s sleeve pins.

I pulled the badge off and dragged it across the canvas.

The sound of the canvas tearing shocked everyone and people gasped.

In the mess, security pushed me down to the floor.

With my cheek against the cold floor, the woman comforted the upset man while they both looked at me like I was a sewer rat.

“Call the police,” she said.

I started laughing and the sound kept getting louder.

The crowd stepped back in fear.

Because the amount involved went over ten thousand dollars, I was sentenced to three years in prison, with added payment for material and emotional loss.

I attempted suicide several times in prison, but each time, someone found me in time.

A year later, I was released early for good behavior, with no money.

But I had figured out many things. When the car reached the place, Alexander went to the restroom.

Beside me, Charlotte stood and spoke in a low voice. “I’m sorry.”

“We were wrong back then. I’ll tell Alexander to act more cautiously from now on.”

I raised my eyebrow. She had never bowed her head to me before, but now she apologized without hesitation.

I looked at her, confused.

“No need. You two were a couple. I only remembered things when I saw you both. I didn’t mean anything else.”

Pain showed in Charlotte’s eyes and her face turned a bit pale.

I didn’t understand and I didn’t want to think about it.

Thankfully, Alexander returned; he seemed to have forgotten everything that happened in the car.

“The three of us used to put our money together for a barbecue, let’s enjoy it today.”

Charlotte refused. “Back then, Archie stayed with us. He had a weak stomach and couldn’t eat spicy food. How could you forget?”

“It is fine, my stomach is okay now.”

Years of healing had already brought my body and mind back to their best condition.

My phone suddenly rang.

On the screen, the word “Wife” stood out clearly.

I answered the call.

Her light tone held a small bit of hurt.

“Honey, taking this kid out for filming was far more tiring than leading soldiers. You would definitely say I got thinner when you came back.”

From the background came a little boy’s loud protest. “No! Daddy, Mommy had troupe guys asking for her number today and they talked so happily…”

“You troublemaker! Are you trying to trick your mother? Those were reporters!”

Hearing the sounds on the other end, I couldn’t stop myself from smiling.

When I looked up, a woman’s interview was showing on the mall’s big screen; she looked cool in her military uniform.

Beside her, the little one had bright eyes, cute like a New Year picture doll.

After talking for a few more minutes, I ended the call and took a photo of the screen.

Once it was sent, I saw the two people beside me standing frozen.

“Archie, you were married?” Alexander spoke first, sounding unsure.