it was like a storm, tears poured down her eyes as if they were clouds in a rainstorm. her voice roared like the loud thunder on a damp cold rainy day. and for which her reasons for causing such a display of actions no one knew, but could only watch from the distance of the tall grassy field just across the sidewalk from the tree in which the girl lay under. As an army officer approached the saddened girl, we all knew what had happened.

"Excuse me for the words I'm bout to say. I'm sorry for your loss" the officer said calmly. " I'm here to take to my home to look after you in promise that I made you father. I know I can never replace him and never would I dream of doing so. he was a great man and fought bravely to save us all. I honor your loss, for he was my best friend and I couldn't save him from this fate."

the girl not knowing what most of the things coming out of his mouth ment, for she was only but the age of six, just curled up and began to cry even more. " where's my papa?" the girl cried aloud. " where is he? he said he was coming back soon." she began to hit her fist against the man's chest as she laid her head sideways.

"come on now, let's go home." the officer calmly grabbed the little girls shoulders and gently pushed her off of him. " when we get there I can introduce you to my wife and daughter. I'm sure you will get along well. I mean she's always wanted a little sister. how old are you again? five? well anyway I'm sure you will like the same dolls as she..." the officer stopped and realized that he had yet to introduce himself, let alone recognize the mud drenched face and dress that covered the little girls body.

as the day went by the two of them got to know more of each other. they talked for hours about so many different things, favorite foods to eat, place to go, colors, and their happiest moments with their family.the little girls laughing sweet face turned saddened again as she thought of her mother and father.

she was still so young when her mother died, she didn't even remember her all that well, but the pain of losing her father's matched into her chest. the officer hadn't yet realized until a water droplet fell on his hand that lay on the grass beneath the girls droopy body. " I'm sorry." the officer proclaimed wiping away the tears on her face. " I should have thought about that question a little more before I asked. I hope you know that I will always be there for you from this day on, okay? how does that sound? no matter what.

the little girl smiled as she looked up at the man in the suit. " okay." the girl answered." promise?"

"promise." he answered. " no matter what happens. forever and always." the officer brushed the little girl's face and smiled. " now then let's go to the motel just down the road to check in and clean up. after we do that we can go shopping, how does that sound? would you like that?" the man said sweetly as if she was his own flesh and blood.

' the way he talked just now... why is he so kind? he doesn't even really know me. I'm not his real daughter, I'm just a pathetic girl of a lifeless soldier. there's nothing special about that.' the girl thought silently to herself. " are you sure that won't cause too much trouble for you, mr?..."

" my name is Derrick, Derrick moisser and there's nothing that could make me happier in this world than to take care of the little girl of my commanding officer. why would you think otherwise? never mind that question, let's go wash up." he quickly jolted up and held the little girl in his arms. " what's your name again? Elle or something?"

" it's Annabelle, Ellie is just what everybody calls me." Annabelle said quietly. as Annabelle and Mr. moisser walk to the motel they found a stray cat. " looky!" the girl shouted.

the loud and sudden roar from the little girl tumbled over the alleyway and sent shivers down the man's spine. " eeeeeep! can we keep him? please?" Annabelle said with a puppy dog face. " please?"

"no, we can't, you're too young to take care of an animal." he said softly with a saddened face.