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been stripped away in the blink of an eye. Josh, however, had never complained. He’d enjoyed every minute of every day, unlike anyone else she’d ever known. He’d lived in every moment.
    Sarah had never realized just how much Josh had loved living on the ocean, until she was in college and his responsibility load had lightened. Everything about beach life suited his personality.
    People were instantly charmed by Josh’s lackadaisical ways and quick laughter. Easy going, witty, and occasionally flippant; Josh was everything that she would never be. Other than the occasional home repair, there was nothing Josh took seriously.
    Once her sophomore year of college was well underway and he noticed how self-reliant Sarah had become, Josh left his full time day job. He started jumping from one menial job to the next, keeping a job just long enough to save up the cash to support his carefree beach life style for a few months. Then he’d quit and spend his days and nights swimming, surfing, and camping out. Josh never worried about where the next meal would come from. But during that time of self-discovery, a day had never passed that he didn’t stop by the house to exchange stories over a morning cup of brew.
    Mornings became Sarah’s favorite time of day. She always had breakfast and a fresh pot of coffee waiting for her brother.  He’d come bouncing in with the newspaper in one hand and a backpack filled with dirty clothes in the other. He’d drop off his dirty clothes during breakfast. She’d wash them after her classes and have them waiting the next morning. Their routine was comfortable. Secure.
    During one of his regular overnighters on the beach, his new found buddies had teased him. They’d labeled him a bum and joked around that he’d never grow up or be able to handle real responsibilities. They’d bet him a twelve pack of beer that he couldn’t keep the same job for a year. Josh had upped the ante to include a fifth of Jack Daniels, then accepted the challenge with zealous fervor. Not being one to back down from a bet, Josh had joined the Marine Corp. Sarah had been livid when he’d enlisted. Over the course of several weeks, she’d come to terms with it, assuming it was just another passing fancy. He’d serve his time and be done.
    While Josh was away at boot camp, he had written every chance he’d gotten. He always asked about her studies and checked to make sure that she had everything she needed. On more than one occasion, Sarah had jokingly accused her sibling of having empty nest syndrome, because of the serious way he tended to dote on her.
    To pass the time while Josh was away, Sarah had submerged herself even deeper into her studies. She continued to make a full pot of coffee with her breakfast every morning. Sometimes she’d even caught herself pulling two cups down from the cupboard. She’d never found the nerve to tell him that she came home after class every day and sat by the phone, waiting for him to call. Those thirteen weeks of boot camp had been the longest weeks of her life.
    The day after boot camp graduation, Sarah had driven him home. They’d had ten days of leave to catch up and hang out. Boot camp had only slightly changed her brother. Josh carried himself with an aura of dignity and decorum that she’d never seen before then. Other than that, he’d still been the fun- loving guy that she’d always known. He’d told funny stories about boot camp life, and she’d filled him in on the local gossip and news. They’d immediately fallen back into their easy breakfast routine. After their morning coffee she’d head off to school. It was as if he’d never been gone. Their ten days hadn’t seemed long enough.
    When Josh left to spend the next fifty-nine days at the School of Infantry, she resumed a life of solitude, waiting to hear from him. Every day held the hope of a phone call or letter. It might have seemed bizarre to some, but he was the only person she had left in the