Castles Burning Part One (14 page)

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Before I knew it my week of recovery was over, and I found myself preparing for deployment. I was stocking up on personal items like tooth paste and deodorant, razors and uniform items. I had dinner with my parents at my favorite restaurant the evening I had to check in to the ship. They dropped me off at my car, said a quick goodbye, and I was making the long walk to my new duty station, aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. I welcomed the change, I needed change, I needed to get away from this place and the memories of Aden. I skipped his funeral; I couldn’t bring myself to see him cold and lifeless in a coffin. I would keep him forever in my heart, warm and loving and strong, I would hold him there forever, so I would never be far from him.