It was late August and Dylan was leaving. First bootcamp, then Iraq was where he was headed. Physically, he was perfect for it. He played football for the school team, and he was good at it. Linebacker, whatever that position meant. Football is confusing.
He was leaving behind many things. His 18 year old body was leaving his mother, his father, his baby sister. He was leaving Audrey, his girlfriend, and Domino, his dalmatian puppy.

One of the most important situations in Audrey's life was her last date with Dylan. He was leaving and he's be taking a piece of her heart with him.
She told him to meet her at the best pizza place in Columbus. It was small and quiet, and they sat in the back. The two person table had a green and white checked tablecloth. It was hard for her to look at his face. Soon she wouldn't have a face too like at anymore.
Dylan was interesting all around. He played guitar, he liked grind music, he played football, he could draw. He wouldn't be able to share any of that with Audrey anymore.

"Why are you going?"
"Audrey..."
"Why, Dylan!"
"I need to go. To help my country."
"But what about your family, what about Domino, what about me?"
"I'll write to you, you know I will."
"Why would you want to leave me?"
"I don't want to leave you, baby, I never looked at this as a way to leave you."
"But..." Audrey began to cry. She touched her hand to his cheek, over his blonde buzzed cut scalp.
"I love you." He finished for her.
It was the last time she would be outspoken for a long time.

Dylan left on August 30th, 2006, and on August 30th, 2006, Audrey locked her bedroom door.

He heard the phone ring three times before he shrugged and hung up. He, his name was Max, knew Audrey wouldn't pick up her phone. His shaggy blonde head remembered that today was the day that Dylan left.