The sun dangled high in the sky, tormenting me, laughing at me. The ocean’s waves slammed onto the shores. My heart tore violently with each loud pound of the water. His freshly pressed camouflage uniform hung on his tall, broad frame. With the shirt tail neatly tucked in and leather laces tightly bound, his eyes x-rayed my mind; my unsettling thoughts magnified and exposed. Grabbing my shaking hands, he pulled me in. “See you later alligator,” his whisper echoed in the dry air. Silent drops puddled, then leaked from the corners of my eyes and desperately fell onto his camel boots. The seconds of our sweet embrace were ripped away with the final blast of the ship’s horn. In these sacred last moments, my arms anchored him to the ground. “In awhile crocodile.” His soft lips pressed against my hot forehead one last time. His strong stride led him onto the ship. I hesitated, then staggered to the car. With one last glance over my red, soaked shirt sleeve, I caught his subtle wink. Immediately a smile burst across my face. I took a deep breath, turned back to my silver Jetta and prepared myself for the rush of agony waiting for me on the drive home.