by Christine Mcdermott

Created on: July 21, 2009

Her phone went off. It wasn't a call, it was a text. Cecilia ran to the idle computer in the blue room. She needed to hook up her cell phone using the USB port. It was much easier to text when she typed on the computer keyboard. It was great having software that worked like that, she thought to herself.

Amazing, she whispered aloud.

She knew the text was from her friend in Afghanistan. A soldier. Tom was more like a little brother but they were not related at all. Cecilia was really glad to hear from him. She never knew when he would be sending a text. Tom could only text if there was a satellite overhead wherever he was camped at.

This wasn't the first time they texted each other. Most of the time it seemed like small talk. Just anything...to keep communication going.

Are you okay? Cecilia would ask.

Yah, I'm fine, it's 2 a.m. here. Tom would say.

It was always a good feeling to know he was alright or what time it was or how he was feeling. Feelings wow that was the hardest for Cecilia to text about, especially when Tom was depressed or feeling lonely.

I'm sick of all the death and want to come home, he would continue.

Cecilia knew he was feeling down when he would text stuff like that. Other times Tom would text about the people themselves or of the food he was eating in that far away war zone. She could never quite understand what it was really like, though. She did realize Tom was a soldier in his heart and could not be anything else, Cecilia figured that out especially since it was his second tour of duty.

This night was different though.

He started out by texting, I've been shot and I'm on my way to the Red Cross tent.

Dumfounded, her heart started to race. Her stomach tightened up. Cecilia didn't know what to do next.

It took a few seconds for her to regain her composure then she texted, Where?...How?...What did you say?

He texted back, My leg - the shot went clean thru.

Cecilia was unbelieving of the whole situation. Here she was in the midwest of the United States of America and he was dealing with being shot in the Middle East, all while they were texting each other.

Texting on a cell phone, at home, to someone in the middle of the war - the importance of this newer technology had a deep impact on Cecilia's mind. She would never be the same because of it.

Needless to say, Tom was able to come home early due to his injury. He recuperated and stuck it out at home as long as he could. He is now serving his third tour of duty.

Learn more about this author, Christine Mcdermott.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.