Before Darkness, Awakens, To Rise

David Klovis grew up in Fresno. His father had been input her hand to her mouth and wept.David pulled his
the Air Force, loved everything about airplanes andwife to him and shut his eyes against the bright heat
moved his family into a new home within a mile ofof his own tears. Stroking her hair he repeated the
the airport's runway.David had inherited his father'sonly thing he was able to utter.... "I love you. I love
love of all things associated with aviation. He neveryou, Ellie."~~*~~The night before David was to
tired of watching the aircraft land and take off--orleave he tucked Ginene into bed, sat on the edge of
hearing the growl of the ANG--144th Fighter Wing,the mattress and studied the drowsy face of his little
F-16 Fighting Falcons.So it was that David had agirl. Images of the day-to-day moments he shared
house built as close to the airport as the one he hadwith his family played out in his thoughts. That is
lived in as a child. At most, it was a ten minute drivewhat he'd miss the most--the simple pleasures that
from home to work--The Air National Guard. Eightgave life to the heart of him. He shook his head, then
years ago Staff Sgt. David Klovis had made a careerlooked out into the night. Winter's cold breath had
of the Guard and he had never regretted hisfrosted the edges of the window. Unawares, David
decision.At thirty years of age he was very satisfiedshivered.He felt a tug on his sleeve. "Daddy, what's
with life. He had a wife, young daughter, and twothe matter?"David turned to his daughter. "I'm going
lovable male Labs--one black, one chocolate. He had ato be gone for a while. I'm leaving tomorrow and you
job he enjoyed and going home at the end of theand Mommy will come to the airport to see me
day was always a pleasure. His wife, Ellie, with heroff.""Will you be back before dark? Will you be here
ready smile and welcoming embrace was somethingto tuck me in at night?" A troubled expression
he looked forward to. Shortly after arriving homecreased her brow.David smiled. "I'd love that. But I
he'd usually find his daughter, Ginene, in the backyarddon't know when I'll be able to. Soon, I hope.""Me,
with the Labs.The two "boys" and his daughter weretoo!" She pursed her trembling lips. "I don't much like
inseparable. David had brought the siblings home sixthe dark.""Ah, Honey, I know." He nodded to the
months before his daughter was born. They wereLabs. "Hunter and Duncan will keep you safe."Ginene
gifts; one for his wife and one for his unbornlooked from the Labs to her dad. She then reached
daughter. Ellie had named them--the black pup wasout and hugged her father around the neck.~~*~~It
Duncan, and the chocolate pup's name washad been a splendid spring day. From her swing
Hunter.Today they were celebrating their fifthGinene watched heavy, fat clouds with gray bellies
birthday. True, the boys' birthday and Ginene's weretraveling west from the Sierras. The setting sun cast
six months apart, but his daughter insisted that theirclean, bright light out, limning the clouds in an orangy
birthdays be observed on the same day, as theyglow. A breeze kicked up and blew over Ginene like a
were all family in her eyes.He and Ellie had a specialsigh.Hunter and Duncan were tussling on the lawn.
evening planned for Ginene and the boys. A DVDThey suddenly looked up and whined happily.Ginene
rental, popcorn, and drinks. David was to getclimbed out of the swing and stood watching the
take-out Chinese food for dinner. After their mealLabs. Curious as to why they were behaving so
they'd all gather in the family room to watch aoddly."My sweet daughter, you have grown some
Disney movie, "Homeward Bound." Ellie was not toosince last I saw you. Oh, how I have missed
big on cake. Neither were the boys. Popcorn wasyou."Duncan and Hunter whimpered and wagged their
everyone's favorite and was a must when watchingtales. Ginene crossed over to them and looked
a movie. Ice teas or diet colas were the cool frostyaround."You two take care of her, will you?" The
beverages of choice.When the night wore down andLabs stood, one to each side of Ginene. They were
David and Ellie found the little ones snuggled togetherpanting and smiling--their whole bodies wagging their
on the soft carpet, with pillows all around them... itwelcome.Then, with the senses that children and a
was time for bed. David went to Ginene and talkedfew gifted adults possess, she gazed out toward the
quietly to her, while rocking her shoulder in ansunset and muttered one word...
attempt to awaken her. He ended up pulling his"Daddy?!"~~*~~That morning the global war on
daughter into his arms and carrying her to herterrorism had claimed the life of many American
bedroom. Ellie convinced the boys it was bedtime andpatriots. David was killed in a grenade attack on the
directed them to follow her. Reluctant, with sleepyIraqi-Kuwait border. His name, rank, and cause of
faces on, they shuffled behind.David gently settled hisdeath would be added to the growing Memorial of
daughter into her bed, pulled the covers up to herNational Guard men and women who had given their
chin and kissed her warm cheek. Ellie nodded to thelives for the freedom of strangers.To their family,
boys. They circled three times, then laid down besidethey are everything. To their country, they are the
Ginene's bed. Within the hour they'd be nestled 'roundblood of the nation. The fiber of integrity, and valor.
Ginene. All three breathing deep and steady, dreamingThey are the spirit of freedom and every American
dreams and sighing contentedly.After changing into hisshould be proud to call them "kin."May your day be
sleeping clothes, David lumbered into the kitchen andblessed, and every day that wakens you
prepared a pot of coffee. He pulled out a chair andanew...~~*~~***~~*~~For all the men and women
sat at the table. He was dearly hoping the coffeewho have served their country, I dedicate this
would clear his mind, anchor his thoughts, so he couldstory.Copyright 2005 Kathy Pippig HarrisI live in
sort out the frantic reality that was delivered to hiscentral, sunny California, where I share my life with
inbox earlier in the day."Honey, something themy husband and our furry family. I work full time for
matter?" Ellie walked over to him and gingerly put hera living, and I write in order to live fully.My works
hand on his neck. Her skin was cool and silky. Herhave been featured in many online publications and in
touch, calming. She sat down beside him, squeezedtraditional print. I am also a weekly columnist for the
his knee reassuringly.His voice was rough, subdued. "Ipublication "Frank Talk" which is distributed in several
received orders today." He turned to Ellie. "I'm beingcounties in the tri-state area of Michigan, Ohio, and
sent to Iraq."Ellie drew in a quick breath, then bit herMissouri. I've written four books and my fifth book,
lower lip. Her eyes grew wide and gleamed with"For the Spirit-Soul," a collection of my short stories
sudden tears. She nodded, flashed him a weak smile,and poems was recently published.