Fresh flowers at the altar

I was laying in the bushes close to the intersection all alone. It was close to dusk I still could see when I noticed that I was laying next to some old bones
It startled me at first but I seen plenty of death over the last year I’ve been in the trenches now almost 12 months dead bones is not what I feared
I lost my unit earlier this morning but this was the RP we were supposed to meet at Only a fool would walk up to an intersection without first seeing what was going on so I just sat
Behind me a heard some noise I turned I saw 3 of my comrades walking up the road I was about to yell when a heavy machine gun opened up and all three of them got burned
I could not get any closer to the ground then it became quiet again not a sound
I was scared I was spitting distance to a heavy machine gun nest I was all alone except some old bones my heart was about to erupt in my chest
Heard one of them moaning so I took off all my gear  By now it was dark if I stayed in the bushes low to the ground I had nothing fear
I low crawled about 50 feet when I heard the enemy come walking down the road I stopped didn’t move a muscle time just slowed
They walked by me not more than two feet from my head I just laid as still as I could playing dead
I could hear them laughing then the bullets rang It sounded like boo boo boo boo boo bang bang
My first thought was to get up and shoot them down Drop them with out even a sound
I still had no idea what kind of force I was facing So until how I knew how many there was my steps I began retracing
I was back by the old bones the moon was full so I sat and watched in the dark unseen Then out of nowhere they started a fire to make coffee by the smell of it I think it was french bean
I didn’t have a watch but I’d say it was at least midnight When from the north road I saw a  girl riding a bike I bolted up right
I was too late they stopped her before I could yell they smacked her several times  making her cry  I had no intentions of being a hero  I just sighed
I got on my gear and moved as close to the intersection without being seen I was lucky I was thin as a string bean
I got to the very edge of road and all three of them were fighting to see who would be first can I cross the road without being seen my blood was pumping I had that thirst
My first shot missed I fired to fast my next two didn’t I had one left to go but I was hit blood was on the ground I was too slow
I got hit again turn me around but I shot again last man was down
 One in the arm and one in the leg The  in the arm was nothing to worry about but the leg if didn’t get to a a med vac I’ll be walking on a peg 
I wrapped up the leg best I could I was in a lot of pain Then I just passed out and it began to rain
I woke up in a jeep I was being sent to the rear The pain was gruesome  brought my eyes to tears
 They told me I was a lucky boy and I wont need a peg because I kept blood circulating they will be able to save the leg
Months later when I was good as new I went back to the intersection to see if I could find a clue
Something to tell me who she was to my surprise a alter was put up It had fresh flowers at the altar that were arranged in a cup
There was also a note to the soldier who saved my life I read it and cried If you are still alive and have not died
 Follow the road north I will be waiting my name is Ann  I live in the house closest to the beach the one covered in sand
I walked to that house and met Ann and showed her my scar I had to get back into the lines but I did marry her after the war
That was 50 years ago I was saved at that intersection on that dark night by a young lady who was beaten but had the courage to fight
 Today Ann still puts fresh flowers on the alter For her man named walter