The letter trembled in his hands.
The news and his high school buzzing with the possibilities.
Taking out a knife, he broke the seal.
His perspiration smudging the ink, but the message still clear.
The weight makes his head fall.

His future and dreams put on hold,
“Mom...” was all he could muster as he slid the letter in front of her.
“I’ll miss you…”
She just stood in the doorway in disbelief.
He left quicker than it took for her tears to drop.

The cold, harsh reality didn’t hit until the cool dog collars hit his skin.
His training short and minimal.
The door of the assault craft land hit the sand.
From high school to this.