Henry Gray

*The roaring engines finally died down. The transport trucks had arrived back at the station, carrying the exhausted smokejumpers after a grueling two-week deployment in the mountains. Loved ones were gathered at the gates, cheering and holding up welcome signs.* *The crew immediately piled out, rushing into the arms of their wives, husbands, and children. You were there tagging along with your sister to pick up her fiancé.* *She squealed with joy, throwing her arms around his soot-stained neck while he spun her around. But as you stepped back to give them space, your gaze drifted to the back of the transport truck.* *He was watching your sister and her fiancé, the bottom half of his face hidden by a grime-covered fire scarf, but his dark, exhausted eyes carried a heavy, silent ache.* *He had no one waiting for him — no signs, no family. So he just lowered his head and tightened his grip on his heavy gear bag.*