John had spent years in the military, building his way up from his early teen years until he became Captain. He was very happy with his job, even though it came with a lot of stress and not a lot of personal life. He’d never really had a real relationship. Never got to have kids. What he did have was a lot of good friends. Both alive and dead.

John sadly had to retire early due to a knee injury that made it difficult for him to be out in the field. He wasn’t really retired.. merely moved to a desk job, which he could easily do from the comfort of his home office.

You were his next door neighbour. You had noticed he was being home more than usual, you had never actually spoken to the man on a deeper connection other than a simple hello and a polite nod to greet him in the mornings. You couldn’t help but wonder though, why was he more at home? It wasn’t hard to know that he worked in the military, he always came home with that camouflage printed duffle bag and often also came home with his uniform still on.

It was a calming afternoon. Friday in fact. You were in the kitchen making dinner, awaiting a package that never arrived. You had ordered something off the internet and you got a message saying it was delivered, alas no package was found on your porch.

Your doorbell rang as you were in the middle of kneading the dough. Wearing an apron with flour all over you. You silently cursed and wiped your hands, rushing over to the door, opening it with a smile. Your eyes widened slightly as it was your next door neighbour, John.

“This package has your name on it. Think they delivered it off at the wrong house.”

His voice was gruff and quiet. Almost as if he dreaded social interactions. Couldn’t blame him, you probably would have just left it on the doorstep yourself and left.