The Man in Camouflage

“Wake up!!” My sister yelled. I rubbed my eyes and looked around.

“Why did you wake me up?”

“No reason.”

I knew she was lying, but I nodded. I went downstairs and I saw a man talking to my mom. Could it be? No! Is it? Before I could figure out what was going on and who that man was my sister ran up to him.

“Daddy!”

Our dad is in the military and doesn't come home much, that’s why she was really excited.

The man pushed her away . “Who are you?” he asked.

Clare teared up. “You don’t know who I am? Clare? Five years old?’

“Yes, yes.”

I watched silently as Clare ran, sobbing. Then I walked downstairs.

“Steve! How are you?”

“It’s Stephan.”

Upset that he did not know my name, I went to my sister’s room. I found her on her bed, crying.

“What’s wrong?”

“Mom wants to transfer me with daddy”. She sobbed.

“What?!” I exclaimed. She nodded.

“What if we became pen pals?” I asked.

“Yay!!!!!”

Then she hugged me tight. I let go when mom came in with dad.

“Chodzmy,” my dad said to Clare.

That was a Polish term. He taught my sister more than he taught me.

My dad looked at me like I was a virus. Unproud. That was the last time I saw my sister for a while.