His gloved fingers lightly traced the cool granite, a distant look in his eyes. Soil and bits of rubble clung to the white fabric covering his hands. He absentmindedly rubbed his fingers together, watching the grime blotch and spread. Gradually, he dropped to his knees, the moisture of the Earth melding with his navy blue slacks.
It was quiet. Inhaling deeply, he again ran his hand across the words engraved in stone, lingering on one in particulr.
"Your daughter was married today." He said faintly, smiling at the word 'father'. "She was beautiful." The young man's voice cracked and he blinked rapidly, attempting to hold back tears. He rolled his head back and let out a shaky breath. Grey eyes scanned the sky, almost as if he was searching. His gaze retured to the stone before him and he whispered, "I brought you something."
Fumbling with the collar of his jacket for a moment, he pulled on a chain hidden beneath it. Two items dangled from the end, tarnished and flimsy. "They found your tags." Clenching them tightly, a heavy sob racked his chest as he caught himself staring into those lonely words. Reluctantly, he placed them atop the headstone of his friend, his features contorted into an expression of sorrow. "I miss you." He sobbed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Darkness loomed on the horizon before he rose to his feet. He stared at the resting place of his friend and comrade in arms a moment longer before saluting respectfully. His face suddenly blank of all emotion, with the exception of the river of pain that leaked from the corners of his reddened eyes.
"Forever in our hearts." A final murmur before turning toward the gates of the cemetery. He left crisp footprints in the dew painted grass, a path trailing behind that forever linked him to the past.
