Phantom

Sometimes when I'm sitting on the couch, watching that last movie that we watched together, I can feel the weight of your arm around my shoulders, the soft pressure of your hand tracing shapes on my bicep. Your lips on my forehead, the sound of rain and intense music from the movie in the background. Phantom.

Like when we walked through that forest and someone set off a firework because it was July 3rd. You yelled and tackled me into those bushes, covering me and shouted to a phantom for cover for us.

Remember when you came back from that hospital in Germany? You had to be in that wheelchair because you left your right leg in Fallujah. We were sleeping that one night and you woke up screaming, clutching that invisible gun, shouting at me, someone, anyone, to get that piece of metal out of your right knee and thigh that I knew was already gone. Phantom.

I always think about that night I was in Dallas, and you were at home waiting for me, your mind elsewhere. I knew I should've stayed home from that work meeting, you weren't fine. I wish you had called me. You could've told me about that phantom that was slowly killing you and holding a gun to your head.

I miss you and your phantom.

Author's Note

Got this idea first thinking about phantom limb stuff last night (weird I know), and I realized I haven't written anything military-y and I forgot how much I enjoyed it. Hope y'all like this!

Reviews

[Stan Lee]

Amazing. Kassie you write such incredible stories. Drawing the reader right in, spinning then round and leaving them breathless. Very sad and also brutally honest. I believe it's something that none of us will ever understand unless we've been through it ourselves.
Thanks for sharing. :)

[K.]

Thank you so much! I do have a habit of taking something somewhat happy/fine and making it spiral downhill, haha! Thanks again for reading and reviewing, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[Samuel Dickens]

This is hard hitting and exceptionally well done. Young people like you who possess such insight and skill amaze me.

[K.]

Well thank you so much, Samuel! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for reading and reviewing.

[William Richards]

Wow. Powerful. I can almost imagine this character visiting her deceased partners grave and mourning the loss. A well written story evoking emotion without overt pathos. A good reminder to look out for loved one's mental health.

[K.]

I'm glad it came out so clearly. This is actually one of my favorite poems that I've written for that reason I think- it paints a clear and vivid picture, and it can make you feel a little bit, but can always draw awareness to the issues veterans and other troubled loved ones face.

[JulianaSun]

The story feels so personal and so real. A truly touching write, probably because it´s more than just fiction for way too many people.

[K.]

Thank you so much for reading! I'm glad you appreciated it.

[Craig2591]

You say so much with so few words. There's a whole giant story here in just a few paragraphs. And you captured the nightmare of PTSD so well.

[K.]

Thank you so much, Craig. I'm glad it came across well.

I've missed seein' ya around! Are you writing more? If you get something up here, send me a message so I can check it out, I barely have time to check out all of my read requests. Thanks for reading and reviewing!!

[Craig2591]

I just put this one up: http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/abcblair/1594437/

[rickm97]

Beautiful writing, Kassie. Unfortunately it is all too true. Our veterans are committing suicide in staggering numbers.
Love the downward spiral, as you say.

[K.]

I know, I saw some stat (I don't know how recent it is) but it said something like 5500 soldiers died the Afghanistan/Iraq wars, and then the veterans dead by suicide was somewhere around 124,600. It's horrible. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.

[Marie]

This is good. I read it twice before I really got it. You said a lot in just a few words.

[K.]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[jdtunafish3175]

I like the poetic quality, and the inspiration is pretty interesting too

[K.]

Thank you! And see, now I can prove that good things can come from weird, random thoughts!

[Emily]

This is amazing. I really see an image in my head when reading it.

[K.]

Thank you so much! I'm glad my scenes and messages came across!

[Coyote Poetry]

Could be a interesting story. In the movie Forest Gump. Was realistic scenes about missing limbs. I believe as close as you could come. Lt. Dan was pissed off and took years to grasp and understand. I enjoyed the story so far. Now need the who, why, when, where and the how of the story. Left the reader with a sad ending. Thank you for sharing the excellent short story.
Coyote

[K.]

I think I am queen of being mysterious about my (very) short stories and leaving them able to be extended, but hopefully they work well in the shortness as well. I'm glad you made the Forest Gump reference, I totally forgot about that. Thanks for reviewing, Coyote!

[Coyote Poetry]

A very good story and you are welcome.