PERSPECTIVE:

The Nashville airport is surprisingly quiet after 11:00 pm, so he's the only one else around. He leans against the wall across from us and lights a cigarette. Early 20s and short hair - he's wearing cargo pants and an army issue t-shirt. A family snapshot is tucked into the mesh pocket of his backpack.

"Hey, how's it going?" I ask, curious to hear his story.

"OK, I guess."

"Were are you coming in from?"

"Iraq."

It's said sort of matter-of-factly, like he'd been there long enough that Iraq was just a place like any other, instead of a place the entire world has been intensly focused on.

I shook his hand.

"Welcome home...what branch of the service are you in - Army I take it."

"Yeah, Army Special Ops"

"Where were you stationed?"

"I can't really tell you that."

"OK, did you make it to Baghdad?"

"I've been there...yes."

I decided to change the subject.

"So, what brings you to Nashville? Are you on leave, or home for good?"

"Naw. I got 2 weeks leave. I've been on a plane for 4 days. I'm just here to sign the divorce papers."

"Um..."

Suddenly, missed connections and 4 hour delays seemed a lot less important.
- posted by Aaron @ 8:59 AM