Day 676: 5 Minute Freewrite: Tuesday - Prompt: uncertain future

Halfway home from Reserve Weekend was all the way home for others – Major Felix Byrd passed the night in Colonel Lee's apartment, twelve hours before they returned to being Mr. Byrd at the Good Byrd Restaurant in Roanoke, VA, and Captain Lee at police headquarters in Big Loft, VA.

The two men stayed up later than Major Byrd intended, but, hey, he owned his business and he could arrive whenever he wanted...

“But even that is looking uncertain, what with talk of the recession coming,” he said. “Pile that on top on rumors that we are about to go to war with Iran.”

“The future is always uncertain,” the colonel said. “If you had told me, 30 years ago, about any of what we have been doing, I would have laughed you to scorn.”

“Yeah, me too – who could have dreamed what God already knew about us, and what He would have to bring us through?”

“But that's the point,” the colonel said. “An uncertain future is the lot of mankind. Yet those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ have a faithful God to lead them all the way through. That's all we have, and all we need.”

“I know you truly believe that, Colonel,” Major Byrd said. “I know what today is, to you, and I know a future without Vanessa was not one you ever wanted.”

“No, it was not,” he said. “I appreciate your being here with me this evening, until the midnight has gone. It is still difficult. Yet Vanessa and our son Henry Victor have been enjoying the last 28 years of the future we did not expect, and I am going to make more serious effort in enjoying the rest of my future on earth, uncertain though it may be.”

“I'm glad to hear that, Colonel. You've done a fine job looking out for all of us to have as good a life as possible... it will do us all good to know you're really going to start taking up for yourself a bit more.”

Major Byrd smiled.

“You know, my sister Felicia is going to be really glad to know it ...”

“I did not say – emphatically I did not say – I was looking for a second wife, Major.”

“What if there is a wife seeking you, though – I was teasing you about Felicia, but what if you should just stumble upon someone who should be wifed up?”

“You assume I do not know several such women,” the colonel said without missing a beat. “That does not mean I am obligated to be a husband again. I am not ready nor do I know if I shall ever be.”

“The future is so uncertain,” Major Byrd said, his smile getting bigger.

Colonel Lee finally cracked a slight smile.

“You and my cousin-in-law Agnes Hamilton … all of y'all intent on ruining some woman's life, I see.”