drumsticks after dinner. In fact, it was a somber affair all around, no doubt about it. 

The gift exchange afterwards wasn’t full of the usual whoops of surprise and laughter as it would have been on a regular Christmas morning. They’d decided on exchanging one gift only and no stockings were hung on the mantle, thank God. Rodney gave Mom and Dad a professionally done photo of himself attired in his full dress uniform. He said when he gave them the next one his chest would be full of medals. Mom teared up a little and to be honest, so did I. Even Dad went on about having something in his eye. 

I’d thought long and hard about what to give Rodney and finally decided to give him a brand new copy of WIND IN THE WILLOWS. Inside I wrote, “To Rodney, My Brother, My Hero”, read this at night whenever you can and think of me. Love Ronda.” He beamed with delight when he opened it and saw the inscription. 

The following summer was hotter than ever, hotter even than the year of our Christmas in July. I had given up pedal power and had now taken up jogging. I had grown up a lot in the last year and left my childhood and my friends behind. As I ran through the same woods I thought to myself that I’m becoming a woman now, looking after the house, doing the grocery shopping and even the banking. Mom stays in bed most days, Dad walks around like a zombie. He seems to fade away more and more with each passing day. He makes only the slightest effort to eat but always manages to compliment me on the meals that I struggled to prepare every evening. Today I’m going to jog to Rodney’s grave again. Only five more miles. I stopped just long enough to drink long and deeply from my water bottle. I knew too, that I was no more than just skin and bone, a shadow of my former self. Nobody ever seemed to notice though. 

I could see the headstone in the distance, now a familiar sight. I begin to finger the beautifully carved locket around my neck. It was amongst the belongings sent home in Rodney’s green army trunk. It was engraved on the back with the tiniest but most beautiful script, “To my sweet little Ronda, Love always, from Mr. Toad”.