Under a Different Sun

[Just come and get me later.]

"Wow, Hank, you haven't been around for years, but you're looking even sharper!"

A relative I barely knew came up to say hi, but I could tell they were just there for the gossip.

I had been gone for four years and then, just three months back, I was there for a kid's party.

It was obvious that there was more to it than met the eye.

However, they all played along, pretending it was just a normal family gathering, with me as the kid's dad.

What a joke.

I watched my parents' backs as they led my new brother around, greeting all our relatives.

Sheila and John were the last to show up. Sheila's cheeks were still rosy, and she walked kind of funny. There was even a big hickey on her neck that everyone could see.

John looked right at me through the crowd, his eyes daring me to say something.

"Hank, who's that guy? I've never seen him before."

"That's my parents' new adopted kid, my brother."

"Wow, they're still taking in kids at their age?"

I just smiled and took a big gulp from my glass.

‘Yeah, who could argue with that?’ I thought to myself.

Halfway through the meal, Dad grabbed the mic, his face all red with excitement.

"The best thing that ever happened to us was getting Sheila as our daughter-in-law!"

He beamed.

"And as if that wasn't enough, we got John as a great son too!”

"With them, the Freeman family is complete and happier than ever!"

"Don't just talk about it, Mr. Freeman. Let the boy's dad say something too," a relative joked.

Dad's smile froze for a second, then he looked over at me.

I got up and reached out for the mic.

"Hank, this is your son's big day. Watch what you say," he whispered, half-warning, half-pleading.

I knew I had to choose my words carefully.

However, I also knew I had to speak the truth.

"Thank you all for coming today. I really appreciate it.”

"You all know I'm a rough guy. I carry a gun and fight for a living. When it comes to giving speeches, I'm honestly not very good at it.”

"So, instead of saying a bunch of fancy words, I'd rather speak plainly and say something real. "

I snuck up behind Sheila, finding a spot right between her and John.

"I've been away for four years, and when I got back, my wife was seven months pregnant. I racked my brain over this puzzle for nights and just couldn't solve it.”

"Then it hit me. My dad was eager to cuddle a grandkid, but with me gone, what was the plan?”

"Why not ask Mr. Freeman to step in? We're all family if you go back far enough!"

"Hank, what are you blabbering about?!" Dad heard me and shot up from his chair, his hand slamming the table.

Sheila's shoulders shook, and tears streamed down her cheeks.

Every relative in the room fell silent.

"Hank! You troublemaker! I knew you were up to no good!!" Dad was fuming, and he lunged at me, ready to strike.

However, the very next moment, the door swung open.

My fellow soldiers, all in uniform, stood there like a wall.

"Who dares to touch our captain?!"