For nearly two years, all Jamie could think about was reuniting with his wife and daughter. He missed crucial years of his daughter growing up, and it broke his heart. But duty called, and he understood. However, the reunion wasn’t what he had imagined. When Jamie finally embraced his daughter again, she told him he had to meet her “new dad.” Jamie’s heart sank as he wondered who this “new dad” could be. Was his wife unfaithful, or was something else at play?
A Mysterious Drawing
While stationed in Iraq, Jamie received letters from family and friends weekly. His daughter often sent drawings, which he cherished. One day, a drawing arrived that left Jamie puzzled — it featured his wife, daughter, and a mysterious man.
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WSL – Spurs
The man was dressed similarly to Jamie, which only deepened his confusion. Who was this man, and why was he in a picture with Jamie’s family? The question gnawed at him, but he tried to brush it off as nothing more than a child’s imagination.
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Doubts Begin to Form
Despite his efforts to dismiss the drawing, Jamie couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling it gave him. His mind kept returning to the image, trying to piece together a possible explanation.
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Was this a family friend, or was there something his wife wasn’t telling him? As the days passed, Jamie began to notice other small details in his letters that seemed off — vague responses, hurried notes, and sometimes, a certain distance in his wife’s words.
The Waiting Game
As Jamie continued his tour in Iraq, he pushed his worries to the back of his mind, focusing on his duties. But every night, as he lay in his bunk, the questions returned. Who was this man?
What was happening back home? The more he tried to ignore it, the more persistent the thoughts became. Each letter from home became a double-edged sword — bringing him closer to his loved ones, yet deepening the mystery.
Monthly Calls Home
Jamie’s monthly calls home were his lifeline, giving him brief moments of normalcy amid the chaos of war. During one call, he asked his wife about a dog in the drawing, but her nervous response left him suspicious.
Stacy claimed it was just a stray dog their daughter liked, but Jamie wasn’t convinced. He wanted to believe her, but something in her voice made him uneasy. Why hadn’t she mentioned the dog before?
Hearing Strange Noises
During subsequent calls, Jamie began to notice background noises that seemed out of place. Sometimes, he would hear a man’s voice in the background, and when he asked about it, Stacy would quickly change the subject.
Jamie tried to convince himself it was nothing — just the TV or a neighbor dropping by — but the doubts were there, lingering just beneath the surface.
Battling His Emotions
Jamie was trained to stay focused and compartmentalize his emotions, but this was different. The idea that something might be wrong at home gnawed at him, affecting his ability to concentrate on his duties.
Every time he thought about his wife and daughter, the image of that mysterious man in the drawing would flash in his mind. He told himself he was overreacting, but deep down, he knew something wasn’t right.
Returning Home
Finally, the day came when Jamie’s tour ended, and he was able to return home. He imagined a joyful reunion with his family, a moment he had replayed in his mind countless times.
But as he stepped off the plane and into the airport lobby, something felt off. The usual excitement of seeing his wife and daughter was overshadowed by a nagging sense of dread. Where were they?
No Sign of His Family
Jamie searched the crowded lobby, looking for the familiar faces of his wife and daughter, but they were nowhere to be found. Other soldiers were reuniting with their families, tears of joy and relief flowing freely.
But Jamie stood alone. His heart pounded as he tried to reason with himself. Maybe they were just late. Maybe there was traffic. But a cold fear gripped him — what if something was seriously wrong?
A Startling Sight
Just as Jamie was about to give up and call his wife, he spotted them. Stacy and Lauren were stepping out of a pick-up truck, waving goodbye as it drove away.
Jamie’s heart sank as he looked at the vehicle — he didn’t know anyone who drove a truck like that. As his wife and daughter hurried towards the lobby, Jamie noticed how much Stacy had changed. She looked thinner, almost frail, and there was a nervous energy about her that Jamie couldn’t ignore.
The Awkward Hug
When Stacy and Lauren finally saw Jamie, they rushed towards him, and the family embraced. But the hug felt different — awkward, almost forced.
Jamie held his daughter close, but his eyes were on Stacy, searching her face for answers. Something was wrong, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. He asked Stacy who had dropped them off, but she avoided his gaze, mumbling something about a neighbor giving them a ride.
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