Duty

She had been coming here every day since she arrived in England two weeks ago. Buckingham Palace never ceased to amaze her with its air of splendor and majesty. As much as she loved the good ol' U.S. of A., nothing back home could compare to the age and history of the buildings and architecture here.

She had also begun another little ritual as well. She hurried her steps, checking her watch. It was almost time. As the little side gate came into view she smiled. She slowed, meandering now that she was almost there. Gracefully moving towards the tiny bench located right near the gate, she sank down onto the sun-warmed stone with a grateful sigh.

He stood, stalwart and stoic throughout, resplendent in his ornate Queen's Guard uniform, the bright red a splash of color against the dull gray of the wall he guarded. He didn't shift under the warm sun, nor did he blink an eye when she crossed her long, slim legs and adjusted her skirt, seemingly oblivious to everything except his duty.

She looked up at him and grinned, admiring his chisled profile and strong jaw. He had beautiful eyelashes, ones that she tried to imitate every night by torturing hers with an eyelash curler. His nose looked like it had been broken before, but it gave his face character and kept it from being too pretty. He was tall with a lean build, and probably measured around 6'2". She guessed that if she were ever brave enough to get close, she would fit perfectly under his chin. Despite coming here every day, she still didn't know the color of his eyes, but she liked to imagine they were gray, silvery and intense, like image he presented. Gray eyes would suit him best, she thought.

"I know you missed me yesterday. I got caught up in writing. I've been keeping a journal lately, just jotting down random thoughts as they come. There is so much here that moves me; the beauty, the people, the adventure of being in a different country."

She took a deep, flower-scented breath, and stretched out her legs.

"It's so nice to be away. No pressure. I didn't realized how stressed out I was until it was relieved. I stopped to watch an old couple today. They were holding hands as they walked down the street, and he held open the door for her as she walked into the little corner shop. It was sweet and completely natural. They were totally absorbed in each other. I hope I find something precious like that,---something that endures for fifty years or more." She shook her head slightly, not realizing that wistfulness made her face glow gently. "I'm sorry, I'm getting sentimental. It just seeing a couple like that sends a sudden spurt of hope and yearning through me. It's hard to see people living out the secret dream I have, the dream that always seems just out of reach."

She fell silent.

"I don't mean to bother you like this you know. You probably dread me coming every day." She flashed a self-deprecating grin up towards him as he stared straight ahead and silent. "It's just nice to be able to speak to someone without having them judge me,----or at least not speaking their judgements aloud." Her voice grew softer. "I guess I'm just lonely. I feel so small in this city, an outsider here as well as home. It's an been amazing trip, but it also made me realize that I haven't found where or with whom I fit in. Yet I feel completely comfortable with you. Isn't that odd?" she mused to herself.

She rose from the bench in one swift, liquid motion. Gazing at his face, she imprinted it into her memory; her guard confidant.

"I'm leaving tomorrow. The vacation is over. It's time for me to assume responsibility once more. It was wonderful to meet you....sort of. And thank you. For listening. Even though you didn't really have a choice in the matter. I would have liked to have gotten to know you, but I'll always remember this little ritual, and the guard who was kind enough to bear up underneath my constant chatter."

She smiled sweetly, and raised her hand in a jaunty little salute.

"Good-bye, soldier."

She walked off.


Because she didn't look back, she didn't see him break his stance, shifting his head ever so slightly to watch her until she disappeared from his sight. And no one was there to notice as he erased the longing from his eyes, or that as he resumed his position, his hands trembled a little as they gripped his rifle.