The Corporal and the Choir Girl

The house was over a hundred years old. It had been passed down to her father from his father who had taken over from his father. Reegan’s dad had been in the process of updating all the wiring when he’d passed on. Reece said he’d handle it when he got some downtime, but that was over a year ago.

She’d expected him home next month for some time off. She had a list of repairs they would tackle together. The wiring was at the top of the list.

"Well, I got it on,” said Mrs. Russo. “It just needs to be there for ten minutes and then you can eat up. I know it’s your favorite.”

"Yes, she needs to eat,” said Mrs. Peterman. “She's far too thin."

"You really shouldn't be staying here alone,” said Mrs. Cottman. “You should come and stay with us. You know we’d love to have you.”

Reegan loved her community, but she loved her independence more. When her parents had passed, her well-meaning neighbors had urged her to move in with them, to date their single sons and nephews. But Reegan loved her home. She had no desire to move or live anywhere else. She did want to get married and have a family of her own. But she hadn't felt that special something with any man in town, and she'd met them all more than once.

The closest thing she'd felt to a spark was with a certain corporal. If she were honest, it was more than a spark. She'd felt her skin go aflame the first time she'd seen Brandon Lucas in the doors of the church. It had stoked higher that afternoon when he’d knelt before her in spite of their disagreement. When he’d gone down on bended knee, Reegan’s heart had fluttered, and her first thought was that he was going to propose.

"All right everyone.” Beth’s voice broke through Reegan’s insane thoughts. “Reegan's had a long day. Let's let her get some rest."

Reegan could've kissed her best friend for her intervention. In fact, whe

n everyone had filed out of the front door, she did. Reegan pulled Beth into a tight hug and didn’t let go for long moments.

"I can stay," said Beth.

But Reegan shook her head. "I just need some quiet."

With a long sigh and one more squeeze, Beth let Reegan go and filed out the front door. Her walk home was short. The Barretts lived just across the street from the Cartwrights.

Once the door closed behind Beth, Reegan rested her head against the wood frame. She felt bone weary. The house was tidy, bless the old biddies who cleaned up after the guests who’d come to pay their respects. There was nothing for her to do.

Reegan headed up the stairs. She wasn't tired. Instead of going into her room, she went into her brother's old room and flipped on the light switch. The electricity hummed in protest but eventually blinked on.

Everything was the same from the last time he'd been home. That had been at her parent's funeral. She’d made his bed after he’d left and left the comforter on. It had been winter when the funeral was held. The weather was warm now, but she still hadn’t pulled off the familiar blanket.

She went to the shelves on the far side of the room and thumbed through his record collection. Reece preferred vinyl to CDs or digital files. He said he liked the scratch of the needle.

Reegan found what she was looking for and brought the record downstairs into the living room. She flicked the switch to the old turntable. The red ON light blinked a couple of times before going solid. Reegan placed the record on the B side with the instrumentals.

The old song was Reece’s favorite. It was a duet. Her brother had a strong baritone to her soprano. They’d always sing this song together.

After the melodic intro came the high part. Reegan sang the words of the familiar tune. She went mute when the tune changed and made way for the lower notes that required a baritone’s pitch. It was the silence that brought the tears to her eyes.

The lack of the strong familiar voice left Reegan feeling desolate. She searched her heart, looking for any signs that her brother was no longer of this earth. All she felt was alone.

Could she be wrong? Could Reece be gone? Could she just be in denial?

When the tune changed and came back around to her part, Reegan opened her eyes. She was facing the front window. Outside, just beyond the bushes, she saw something moving.

It was a big something. Like a man. There were old men and young boys on her street. No grown men. Only Reece.

Reece?

Could that be him?

Reegan raced to the door. She flung it wide open. Only to sag against the frame with disappointment when recognition dawned.

"I'm so sorry," Corporal Lucas said. "I didn't mean to scare you.”

He held his hands up, as though trying to make himself look small and unassuming. It didn’t work. He was the biggest man she’d ever met in her life.

His face shifted from placation to alarm. He lifted his head, his entire body going on alert. His nose went up into the air, and he inhaled deeply.