Page 121 of Salute, To Bravery
Ophelia
It was still dark and cold when I woke up. Smooth jazz filled my ears, and I realized that someone was calling me. I looked at my phone, and my sergeant’s profile photo filled the screen.
“Hello?”
“Hello, is this Ophelia Raven?”
“Yes,” I said, a yawn escaping my mouth. “How can I help you?”
“You’re being deployed to Japan for disaster relief.” His voice was as stern as ever.“You need to be here by tomorrow and ready to help. I will send you your plane information and such. Be here.”
Then I heard silence, meaning that the phone call had stopped. It felt as if my heart was trying to come up through my mouth and show me how tender and delicate it was. I was barely over what had happened the last time I deployed. What if it happened again?
My breath became shallow, but I didn’t have time to panic. I had to pack.
I looked up at the ceiling, which was becoming blurrier by the moment. Blinking back the tears, I took a deep breath and swallowed my fear. My eyesight became normal, and I grabbed my suitcase and turned on the news so I would understand what was happening in Japan.
“There was a tsunami, and it came out of nowhere,” the news lady said as the TV roared to life. She continued to give me the rundown of what was happening, where people needed aid, and how we could help.
Once I finished packing, I finally got the text message about my flight information. He said that he had called me a taxi, and it would be there in a few minutes.
It all felt way too fast.I barely had time even to text my landlord that I was leaving. I also had to tell my parents and Violet, so I texted the therapy group chat and then forwarded the message to everyone else who needed to know.
My heart beat loudly, and I couldn’t help but have a few tears race down my chin as I put my luggage into the back of the taxi. As I got into the car, it felt like I couldn’t breathe. It felt like I was drowning in air, closing my airways.
Everything was moving too fast.
We arrived at the airport, and I couldn’t hold in my tears. I was leaving—again. Even though it was terrifying, I felt proud to protect and serve my country even if it meant that I would sacrifice my mental health, or worse, my life.
Chapter Seven.
Violet
It had been a week since Ophelia texted the group chat. Everyone sent their good wishes. I called her, but she didn’t answer. And she hadn’t called back.
Sadness buried itself within my heart and chest, and it sat there, causing the weight of an elephant to lay on my chest. I couldn’t believe that she was gone. I couldn’t believe that I couldn’t be there with her. I couldn’t believe she hadn’t called me back.
I found out that she was traveling across the world through a text message. Aches filled my lungs. I wanted to cry, but I couldn’t allow myself to; I had to focus on this website for Sarah’s business.
I started by looking at many of my self-made templates and started to personalize the website. It only took me a few hours, and it was easy money at that point. They didn’t want anything crazy, like a few others did. I liked the challenge, but I also loved the simple websites. The minor details that make the website come to life were most fun.
After I finished the website, I heard my phone’s ringtone. I grabbed the phone and saw Ophelia’s name and profile photo come up on my screen.
I let it ring for a while. Ophelia must’ve been busy, but she also ghosted me for a week. Finally, after arguing with myself, I picked up the phone.
“Hello,” I said with a questioning undertone. I wanted—no, needed—answers.
“Hi.” Her voice didn’t sound cheerful like it generally was.
My mind raced with concerns and possible situations that could’ve made her feel that way. I calmed down and responded, “What’s wrong?”
“I just miss everyone. I had some downtime and decided to call you,” she said, her voice soft and tender. “This is a lot harder than I remember it being.” There was distress in her voice. “Like, a lot harder than it was. Everyone is stronger than me, it seems. Like, both physically and mentally. I haven’t made any friends because they all have their cliques, and I just—I can’t find myself here. It feels like I’m a different person, depressed and a loner. I am not a loner. You know this. I’m a people person.”
“I know.” I listened to her rant on and on about how Japan was gorgeous but also about the struggles she was having with training.
“I’m sorry that I’m ranting to you, especially after I ghosted you for a week. I was scared of what you would say and how you would react to my going back to Japan.”
“Never feel scared about coming to tell me something.” Fear and anger dissipated from my body as I continued to talk to her.
