Instead she took her place.
Then Luke’s name was read aloud.
Her lungs stopped working properly.
When the band began the final piece, Olivia made it halfway through.
Then she couldn’t continue.
The trumpet fell silent.
After the ceremony, Sergeant Major Collins found her backstage.
“What happened out there?”
Olivia could barely speak.
“Luke Hayes.”
“What about him?”
“He was my brother.”
Collins stared.
“You weren’t informed?”
“I was told he died somewhere else.”
The sergeant major’s expression changed.
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“I know.”
He lowered his voice.
“Your brother was assigned to that unit.”
“My mother told me he had separated.”
Collins paused.
“He hadn’t.”
Olivia felt the room shift around her.
“Why would she lie?”
“I don’t know.”
Someone appeared in the doorway.
A gray-haired officer.
He stared at Olivia for several seconds.
“You’re Luke’s sister?”
