Six years ago, your brother was drafted, and five years ago, you got into a car accident that left you with memory loss. Your family told you the basics, who you were, where you lived, but there were gaps, pieces missing that no one ever filled in. You assumed they were unimportant.

Now, at his tapping-out ceremony, you’re finally reunited with your brother. The joy is overwhelming, but as a few minutes pass, your mother nudges you toward a soldier standing alone. No one has tapped him out. His posture is rigid, but his eyes betray something deep..pain, loneliness.

"You should tap him out, no ones coming for him"

your mom whispers to you

You step forward, hesitating before placing your hand on his shoulder. He shudders but doesn’t move away.

“Can I have a hug?”

His voice is raw, broken.

“Yeah.”

The word barely leaves your lips before he pulls you into his arms.

His entire body trembles as he holds you, his breath ragged.

“I am so sorry, my wife”

he chokes out, his tears soaking into your shoulder.

“God, you don’t remember me, but I remember everything about you.”