We are far away before we see the military going the other direction. My brother sitting there under a quilt I made in a summer camp long ago. We brought it for sentimental value. I look into the back of our car, at the things we saved. My laptop, his laptop, as well as my kindle.

As we approach a 7-11, I ask if he wants to stop for slushies, because a sugar rush could be exactly what he needs.He says no. I know that's because what he wants is behind us, in a crater and covered with smoke on the other side of the mountains. The place where we had spent most of our life. The place that was gone forever…