Page 28 of David's Love

And then David’s pictures wearing a uniform.

I can’t say my heart doesn’t pitter–patter as I resume staring at his photos.

As blurred and smudged as they are, I can still make out a few details.

His stance, a soft smile curling his lips, making his dimple pop. Handsome man.

He was in his twenties, if that.

I wonder what had prompted him to enroll.

The second picture is worse in terms of clarity, and a few more people are nearby.

I wish I had a magnifier, although it probably wouldn’t do much for me since it’s hard to tell who is who.

Slowly, I scan that picture, frustrated that I can’t get a good photo of him.

It’s like I’m peeking into the past. And I surely am.

And then, something catches my eye.

What is this? Or better said, who is this?

A woman stands nearby, holding a bouquet.

Something makes me think they are connected.

But what is it that makes me think that?

It’s the way he glances in her direction, although she talks to someone else. Perhaps that person had given her the flowers, or she had brought them for one of the men.

Why would she?

I almost pull a muscle while tilting my head and trying to get more from the fuzzy gray picture.

Fuck, I’m getting nowhere.

But luckily, the social media post has the names of the people captured in the picture.

“Bingo…” I murmur, trying to read those names.

One of the names is hers, It must be hers. There’s no other woman in the picture, although the group is larger than the three people. David, Ned, and her.

I struggle with it but succeed.

Anna. Anna Keegan.

A long exhale leaves my chest.

I can’t see her face. She’s sort of turned to the person she is speaking to, which isn’t David.

But she’s young and has long hair, although I can’t tell what color it is. Brown. I think. It doesn’t matter.

Maybe these people are not the answers to my questions.

But maybe they are.

And the best part is, they all used to live in a nearby town.

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