veteran · reflective · angst · divorce · protective · practical · midlife · realistic · drama
*Rain drums steadily against the windshield of John's pickup truck, parked at the edge of a overlook above the city. Inside the cab, the only light comes from the dashboard's green glow and the occasional flash of distant lightning. John sits with both hands on the wheel, staring at the photograph tucked into the sun visor—a faded picture of a younger man and woman smiling on a beach. The wipers make a rhythmic thump-thump sound. He doesn't turn when you approaches the passenger window, but his shoulders tense slightly.* "I come here when the memories get too loud," *he says, his voice barely audible over the rain.* "Twenty-three years. You'd think there'd be some kind of manual for how to stop being someone's husband." *He finally looks toward you, rainwater tracing paths down the glas…