Soldier's Legacy

The coals in the wood stove had died down to a few embers as Soldier snoozed in the rocker close by. Stoney, his collie, nudged him in the thigh. Soldier snorted and awoke with a start, as Stoney laid in front of him on the floor feigning sleep. The dog opened one eye and glanced up at Soldier, with his almost best look of innocence. Soldier rubbed his face and pulled his suspenders back up over his shoulders while getting up out of the rocker. He realized from the chill in the room the fire had gone down. Pulling on his coat he headed out the door to gather enough wood for the night, Stoney following closely behind.

Soldier had never gotten around to fixing the wagon that would carry the wood to the house, so he had to pile it in his arms. Managing to open the old door and stumble into the house with his load, he dropped it beside the stove. Leaning one hand on the rocker, he stood to get his breath, Stoney standing close by looking up at his friend with worry across his brow.
After some while, Soldier got his breath back and stoked the fire for the night. Now that Stoney was sure his beloved friend was alright, he took his place by the rocker again, keeping one eye on his friend, patiently waiting for his dinner. Soldier and Stoney always had dinner together, as longtime friends should. While Soldier got out the beans and franks, Stoney nudged the wood into a neat pile, allowing himself more room by the stove.

Soldier glanced over at him nudging the wood and smiled, as he prepared their dinner. A sound outside brought Stoney to his feet. Soldier waited, as he watched Stoney for signs that he should go out and see what was out there. Stoney crept closer to the door without making a sound, his ears perked up straight above his head. A knock on the door made him bark and jump back to stand beside Soldier. "It's alright old boy." Soldier told him, recognizing the familiar knock. He went to the door and opened it to the chill night air. "Well, what in the world are you doing out here this time of night Teddy?" he said to the boy standing there smiling. "My mom wanted you to have some of these sweet potatoes. She knows how much you like the way she makes 'em." the boy answered. Soldier smiled and took the pan from the boy, as Stoney wagged his tail and waited for the boy to notice him. Stoney would never make the first move, he was a mannerly dog and he dearly loved the boy.

Teddy got down on one knee to pet the dog and Stoney covered his face with his tongue, so happy to see him. "Plenty dark out there tonight son." Soldier said dryly. Teddy smiled, "It ain't so bad, I know the way with my eyes closed." he smiled up at the old man. Soldier laughed and put the potatoes on the top of the stove. "I'll drive you home son." he said to the boy. "Oh no! I'll be fine, see ya later Soldier. Bye Stoney." Teddy said heading out the door.
Teddy was only ten, but he had walked the woods with Soldier since he was just a tyke and wasn't afraid of a walk in the dark. He and his mom lived about mile down the road from Soldier and thought of him as their family, their only family. Teddy could almost run the whole way home, down the hill and around the winding dirt road that led to Soldier and Stoney's home. He took off now at a trot, anxious to get his own supper. He opened the door and threw his coat at the coat rack when he got home, taking in the wonderful smells coming from his mother's kitchen. "Is that you Teddy?" called out his mother. "Yea, it's me." Teddy replied, walking into the kitchen. Jumping in his chair, he looked up at his mother, "Soldier was real glad to have the potatoes Mom." She smiled and filled his plate. Teddy's mother, Kate, was quite young to have a ten year old son. She was barely past voting age and held down two jobs to make ends meet.

She had gotten the old house with the cheapest rent she could find and held it together sometimes with duck tape. The owner of the house didn't see any sense in fixing anything that still stood. He was a mean old miser that lived in a big house in town and thought that anybody that had a kid at her age, ought to have to suffer some. He had no idea how hard she worked to keep that old roof over their heads, or how many times Katie and Soldier had repaired it. They had few luxuries, but she made sure to keep plenty of good food in the house. She loved to cook meals for her son. He was the love of her life.

Katie worked at the shoe factory during the week and tended bar on the weekends, rarely taking a day off. At least the shifts at the bar were at night and she could spend time with Teddy during the day. Teddy would go up to the cabin and stay with Soldier when she worked late at night. Soldier had taken her under his wing when she was too young to know how to light the stove, much less cut the wood for it. He had made sure her fire was always lit and that she had plenty of wood to fall back on when winter came.
Katie's mom had left when she was young and her father died the week the baby was born. She had planned to stay at home with her father after the baby came, but the house was taken by the bank when Teddy was three months old. Not old enough to rent a house or apartment, she was ready to give up, when she ran into Soldier and Stoney at the grocery store. Soldier had found her hiding among the can goods, counting her money and checking the price on the cans. She would put them back and continue searching for something more affordable.

Soldier wasn't young by any means and figured she was down on her luck as he quietly spoke to her. "Can I help?" Her reaction was like a deer that has gotten caught in the garden, he had spooked her and she fell into the shelf of canned goods. When she turned around to him with wide eyes and fear all over her face, his old heart melted. "Look child, I think you need more than a can of beans today. Come on with me, I'll feed you." Katie was too scared to accept his offer and bounded out of the store. With nowhere to go and her belly growling something fierce, she began to sob. The baby in the pouch in front of her had begun to cry too now. Her body now limp and lifeless on the sidewalk, with the baby screaming, his tiny hands reaching out in front of him and sweat forming on his brow from his screams, she gives up and lies down right there on the sidewalk.
Soldier reached down and picked her up in his arms. He carried her to his old truck and sat her inside. He drove down the street to the McDonald's and order her a meal. She sat on her side of the truck, unable to look at him with her head against the window, still crying and sniffing into a napkin. Soldier didn't say a word, but drove home with her beside him. When he pulled up to the cabin, he said, "I won't arm you child. You best come in and get that baby fed by the fire."

Katie was shaking so bad she was afraid she would drop the baby. Soldier reached out and took the baby from her and walked into the house, leaving the door open for her. Placing the baby gently on the sofa, he took the baby's hand and felt the tiny fingers, smiling before he stood up. Soldier went to the door and called for Stoney. The dog came into the house and stood beside Soldier. He was unsure what he was supposed to do and his tail would wag and then stop . Seldom had he seen a stranger at the cabin. Slowly, Stoney made his way over to Katie and peered into the blanket she held close to her. His huge brown eyes looked into Katie's and he smiled at her, taking the fear away from her. She reached out and laid her hand on his head with a smile. Stoney laid his head on her leg and rested it there for a bit, letting Katie know she was safe.

Katie began to relax and looked over at Soldier at the stove, putting in wood. He got up and walked over to the kitchen that was open to the room she was in. As she looked around, no longer as afraid, feeling Stoney by her feet, she saw that the cabin was as tidy as it could be. Even the small scatter rug by the door looked as though it had just been washed. There was no dust anywhere that she could see. She laid the sleeping baby beside her and got up. Not knowing what to say to this man that had just fed her and brought her home with him, she stood still, unable to move her feet. She was still somewhat afraid, but not as much.

Soldier turned around with two cups in his hand, reaching out to her with one of them. "It's tea, it'll make you feel better." he said looking into her eyes. Katie took the tea gratefully and sipped it. She began to calm down and sat back down with the baby, almost waking him with her movement. Soldier had sat in a chair at the table and looked down at his cup, not saying a word. Stoney got up and nuzzled against him and he reached down and rubbed his head lovingly. This gave Katie the courage to go over and sit across from him. "Thank you." she said to him. Soldier just smiled and nodded, "You look like you could use a friend. I've been in that place myself before." Katie couldn't help but smile back at him. She began to tell him about her father's death and how it had left her completely alone in the world. After some time, Soldier told her she could stay with him until she could get on her feet and this was how the friendship began, that night in the three room cabin with Soldier and Stoney.
Soldier talked to the man that owned the house down the road and rented it from him. After a few months Katie got a job at the factory through a friend of Soldiers, lying about her age. She was sorry to not be able to finish school, so she started taking courses to finish up at night with Soldiers help. He watched the baby for her while she went to class two nights a week. Katie was a hard worker and frugal with her money. Soldier helped her to fix up the house enough to move in and she continued to paint and do the things it needed, as she could afford it. She and Soldier found enough furniture to make do with at the local used furniture store. All of the things for the baby came from there too. Katie would take them home and carefully wash them, making them soft for his tender skin. She couldn't afford much, because the cost of babysitting was taking almost all of her money. That's when she began working at the bar, she didn't mind working, the extra money allowed her a few extras for her son.

Katie had decided that she needed more than she could make as a waitress to count on, so she waited until the bartender position opened up and told the owner she wanted the job. She held her ground with her chin held high and told him that she would always be on time and wouldn't miss work unless it were absolutely necessary. Katie proved to be a valuable employee and gained the respect of the owner and customers alike. Katie didn't have time for much, other than work or studying. She spent as much time as she could with Teddy and taught him to be honest and kind. She had learned those lessons from Soldier and Stoney. Together they had helped her through the first few years.

Nowadays, Soldier was slower than he had been when they first met. Stoney kept a close eye on him these days, never leaving his side for long. Soldier had taken to napping quite a bit during the day, but Katie didn't realize this. Teddy had come home one day and told her he didn't want to bother Soldier 'cause he was asleep. Katie thought this was strange and got in her old beat up Oldsmobile that Soldier had given her and headed up to the cabin. Putting the car in park she expected to see Stoney coming running out to greet her. The door was slightly ajar, so she suspected that Teddy had not shut it properly. As she went to the door she heard a crying sound. Feeling that something was terribly wrong she started to run. Flinging the door open she saw Soldier in the rocking hair with his head hung over his chest. Stoney was sitting with his paws in Soldiers lap, licking Soldiers hands and crying. The dog looked up at Katie as if begging her to help his beloved friend.

Katie gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. She had never given any thought to anything ever happening to her much loved friend. He had given her so much over the years and she loved him dearly. Walking slowing over to the chair she called out his name, to make sure he wasn't just asleep, knowing that wouldn't be the case. Stoney looked up to her with pleading in his eyes. Katie began to cry with Stoney and hugged him tightly to her. She sat for a long time at Soldiers feet holding onto Stoney. The door opening startled her into action. Looking up, Teddy was standing there with a look of horror on his face. Katie jumped up and went to him.

"Mom!" Teddy cried and buried his head into his mother. She held him for a few minutes and then told him to go get in the car. Teddy almost always obeyed his mother without question or back talk. Today, he slowly went to Soldiers chair and held onto his hand. Stoney licked his hand while he cried. Finally, Katie took him by the shoulders and led him out to the car. "But Mom, why?" he asked her through his tears. Katie could only shake her head. She was so shocked she couldn't comfort her son yet, she had no idea what to say. Katie went home and called the town doctor, telling him what she had found. She knew Doc and he and Soldier had been good friends. He told Katie he would take care of things and come by her house later.

Katie and Teddy were devastated. Katie tried to fix dinner as usual, but burned it beyond recognition with her thoughts only on Soldier. Teddy had gone to his room and laid on his bed, staring at the ceiling. A knock at the door brought Katie out of her thoughts as she went to answer it. The doctor was there and she invited him in, tears streaming down her face.

"Katie, I'm so sorry. I know you and Soldier were like family." he told her with his arm around her. She began to cry and asked, "What happened doc?" The doctor sat Katie on the sofa and noticed Teddy on the stairs, peeking through the rails. He motioned for Teddy to join them. When Teddy had come down and sat beside his mother the doctor told them, "Soldier has been ill for some years now. I have treated him the best I could, without putting him in the hospital. He didn't want that." Katie looked stricken and said, "I would have found a way to pay for it!" Teddy cried and held onto his mother. The doctor continued, "Katie, Soldier loved you two more than anything, except for Stoney of course. I never saw a dog more like a human than that one. Soldier left instructions with me for the funeral and after. Of course he wanted Teddy to have Stoney." Doc looked down at Teddy and smiled.

Suddenly Katie said, "Oh my gosh! Stoney! Come on Teddy we have to go get him!" Katie was standing now and the doc grabbed her hand. "He's on the porch Katie." he told her kindly. "I brought him with me after they took Soldier...in the squad." Doc was trying to put a calming note on the circumstances for Teddy. He guessed that neither of them had any idea of what needed to be done. "Katie, I will come by tomorrow morning and give you the letter that he left for you. The attorney has everything else and he will take care of the funeral, you don't have to do that." he told her gently. Katie nodded and held onto Teddy, still in shock. After a moment Katie told Teddy to go get Stoney and bring him in. Doc looked at her and said, "Katie, he passed in his sleep, quietly. There's no more pain for him." Katie was quiet for some time. "Why didn't he tell me?" she asked with pain on her young face. "Soldier kept many things to himself, he didn't need to tell some things. Did you know that he was a commander in the army? He went all over the world, but he loved living here in our quiet little town. I think the quiet was what brought him here in the first place. You see, Soldier chose his hometown." Doc told her smiling. Katie sat without moving, taking in what Doc had said.

"Katie, did he ever tell you how he got his name?" Doc asked. Katie shook her head no. Doc laid back in his chair and crossed his legs. "He lost his family at a very young age, like you did, and joined the service. It seemed the right thing for him, he had no one to think about at home, so he joined up. In boot camp one day, as he stood at attention during an inspection, the Commanding Officer asked him, what is your name? He was so young and new to things, he answered, Soldier sir. You see, that's what he thought the officer wanted to hear, because that's what the Sargent always called them. It was a joke among the men for a few days, but it stuck. All of his fellow soldiers named him and he became known as Soldier. When he came home, or here after he retired, he never changed it. He had been called Soldier for most of his life by then and it felt like.. home to him. We talked about it when he first started coming to see me, about twenty years ago."
Katie looked at Doc and smiled, "Thank you for telling me. I don't know why I never asked him myself. I guess it just seemed to suit him." Doc smiled and took her hand, "I'll be by in the morning." After he left she went up to Teddy's room to check on him. He and Stoney were on the bed playing with a car. "You ok hon?" she asked. Teddy looked at her and tried to smile, nodding his head. Katie knew that he needed some time and Stoney would be the best medicine for him now.

A week after the funeral, the young attorney laid out Soldiers estate for Katie. He had left his sizable estate to Katie. The only provision was that she take care of Stoney. Katie was shocked, she had no idea that Soldier was so wealthy. He had lived his life simply and never mentioned his finances. Katie thought about all the things he did for them, never making money important. Soldier had taught her to be strong and work hard and not to spend money she didn't have. Now she was quite well off now and could do almost anything she wanted. The only thing Katie wanted was a house of their own. The worry of losing the house she had rented for so many years, was always on her mind.

A year later Katie went to the cemetery to put flowers on Soldiers grave and talk with him for awhile. She laid the flowers in front of the headstone and knelt down, rubbing the name on the stone, Soldier. " Hi Soldier. We moved into the cabin last week. All the work has been completed and it looks great. I thought about buying a house, but Teddy wanted to live at the cabin where you and he had so many wonderful hours together. I had some rooms added and few appliances put in. Nothing outlandish, I know you wouldn't approve of that and I don't need it. Thank you for giving me a home I can finish raising Teddy in and be happy. I graduated yesterday and I have a new job starting soon."

"Oh yea, thanks for the lawyer you hired too. We are getting married, but I think you already know that. I love you Soldier, always." Katie smiled and stood up, with good memories flowing through her as she left the final resting place for Soldier.