Alot can happen in a year | Teen Ink

Alot can happen in a year

May 15, 2013
By EllieP GOLD, Kent, Other
EllieP GOLD, Kent, Other
17 articles 8 photos 17 comments

Favorite Quote:
"And in that moment, I swear we were infinite." ~ Perks of being a Wallflower, my favourite book.


He returns home. Lover? Maybe. Children? Maybe.
Uncertain if he will even be returning to the right address.
About a year now. A lot can happen in a year.
He kisses her. How he had survived without one every
Morning is beyond him. Small talk. How have you been?
How is school? How’s your mother? Neighbours? Did you have a good
Easter? What did you get for your birthday? A sunny August?

He retreats upstairs. The curtains are beige now.
The bed clothes changed. The wallpaper cream.
The dressing table... further to the right, by an invisible mirror.
An outsider. Alienated in his own room. Memories, forgotten memories.

Jonathon’s room. The teletubbies... gone.
On the door, A for apple; B for banana; C for cat...
All grown up now. The cot stolen, Replaced with a strangely
Familiar bed. His grandfather’s. Rest in Peace William.
A lot can happen in a year.

Back in the living room for dinner now. A proper dinner.
Light hearted conversations, as he sits with extended family, singing to carols.

A year of loss, courage, violence, fear. He stares at the beautiful view;
Smiles on every member. A reward. One he will not take for granted because he knows
A lot can happen in a year.

Jonathon looks at him, he sees his whole life before him in the glisten
of curious eyes. 'Daddy where have you been?'
Proudest man in the universe, he replies 'I have been away protecting the country.'
Simple.
'Just like a superhero'
A wild imagination

He will have to leave soon
Another year; changes to come. His wife’s blonde hair. His son’s
stabilizer’s. The little things. Who knows.
A lot can happen in a year.


The author's comments:
An army soldier came into school and told us about what his life was like and it made me think about his family and how they feel.

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