Friday August 13th, 1993
A car door slams, and there’s chatter in the yard next-door. The O'Connor's house sold 2 weeks ago, and the new owners have just arrived. They have a little boy who doesn’t look any older than 5 with strawberry blonde hair, his has freckles all over his face and is a ball of energy. His mother and father are still at the car and the moving truck. Dads pulled open the back of the truck and started stacking boxes on the sideway out front of the house. The Mom is running after the little boy who is exploring their new yard. This is the 3rd house they have lived in since Raiden was born, after turning 5 in June he hasn’t had a place to call home for more than a few months. Raiden had made a friend at their last home in NC only to have to move 3 months after. It broke his parent’s heart to break the news to their boy that his dad is being relocated to Washington, DC and their family will be moving to MD. Mr. Cole is in the United States Marine Corps. So, it is known that you can be relocated if need to be. When Raiden was born, his parents were living in San Diego and right before Raiden’s 1st birthday they were relocated to GA just to have to pack again and move to Maryland.
Raiden is running around the yard and spots a swing set in the neighbor’s yard and makes a run for it. Mrs. Cole chases after him trying to get him off the swing that doesn’t belong to them. Just has she approaches the playground; she hears Raiden talking to someone. Already apologizing for their son’s rudeness and making himself at home on their playground, she sees he is talking to a little curly hair girl, who has a bright pink cast on her right arm. She must live in this house. Mrs. Cole kneels to her height and asks the little girl her name, she’s shy. She looks back toward her house and sees her mother walking out the back door. Mrs. Cole follows her stare. Standing up straight, as their little girl’s mother is walking toward them holding a younger boy.
“I am so sorry, we just moved in next door and Raiden saw your playground and he just decided to make himself at home. Oh, I’m so rude, my name is Nancy Cole and my husband “Nancy pivots her body to point to the street out front of their house who is now looking at this meeting happen waves to the 2 women. “That is Liam and you’ve met our little trespasser, Raiden” Nancy says with a smile.
“OH! We have been wondering who bought the old O'Connor Place! It’s so nice to meet you both! My name is Allison James, this little curly headed girl is Eleanor, but we call her Elle, this little guy is Austin, Allison says as she shifts baby in her arms” he is 1 ½ and inside is Adelynn she is 7. My husband, Patrick is at work now, but he will be happy to know a young couple moved in next-door and not someone who will yell at him for watering and trimming the yard at 11 a.m. on a Saturday.” Allison says with a smile. Looking down at Raiden, Allison kneels to his height, “Raiden, you are welcome to play on the playground whenever you’d like, and hopefully you don’t think girls have cooties yet, Elle could keep you company and can be your first friend. You don’t look too much older than her. Let me guess… you’re…13 years old?”
Raiden’s eyes light up and a huge smile covers his face. “hahaha I’m not 13.”. “Ok. ok… you’re 10 my mistake” Allison winks at Nancy. Raiden continues to laugh, loving his new neighbor thinking how funny she is. “no, I’m not 10 either”.
“Ok, let me make one more guess…. you look like you could be 5!”
Raiden jumps up and down “yes yes yes you got it!! I just turned 5” Holding up a full hand of dirt and jelly covered fingers. Allison smiles at Raiden. “Elle turned 3 in April”. Allison, stops and looks at her watch.” oh! I’m sorry to be rude but Elle and I must run! Ms. Elle here has an appoint to get this horrible cast off!” Elle Squeals with excitement. The first noise that has come out of this little girl since meeting her. Holding her cast up in air, showing off all of the names and flowers drawn on it. “I fell downs the stairs.” Allison looking down at her daughter with a hand behind her leading her back toward the house. “Raiden, please make yourself at home! Keep playing while your mom and dad unpack...” Nancy looking back at her son is swinging as high as he can get and jumping off to meet his mother landing with a humph.
Allison turns to Nancy…” you have a little dare devil… hopefully you won’t be needing to visit the hospital the day here to match Elle.”
“Oh, how about you and your husband come by later? We can sit outback, and the kids can play, I have some wine that has been dying to be rescued and Patrick I’m sure would be more than happy to have some “man time” over some beers... that’s if you guys’ drink... I’m sorry I assumed.”
Nancy smiles...” that would be amazing..., after the drive we just had… I could deff rescue some wine. I’ll bring something to snack on… I can’t come over empty handed. What time works for you guys?”
The Coles and the James’ become great friends. Liam shares stories of his time in the Marines, Patrick shares his stories of all the Muscle cars he has ever owned and sold… then taking Liam to the garage to show him his 1070 Dodge Challenger that he restored. Nancy and Allison stay behind on the patio enjoying their wine. Raiden and Elle are running around the yard chasing lighten bugs and playing tag.
Over the next 9 years. Raiden and Elle become the best of friends. Summers are spent playing on the slip n slide, eating popsicles on the sidewalk after chasing the ice cream man down, Family trips to Ocean City, MD and Rehoboth Beach, DE. Fall and Winter are spent playing the piles of leaves, sitting around bonfires in The Coles backyard making S’mores. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, the houses are always decorated over the top. A couple Winters there was snowstorms that kept Elle and Raiden home from School, so they played outside all day until the sun went down. Warmed up with Hot chocolate and Chicken noodle soup. Mr. Cole had been deployed a couple of times over the next couple of years, so having Nancy and her husband Patrick next door was a god send. Especially when it came to Raiden. Allison was so grateful for her neighbors. Raiden can always be found at The James’ house or Elle over at the Coles. The 2 become attached at the hip. Allison was especially grateful during the times Liam was Deployed and having a great family next door, Allison was able to get so much more done when she was able to leave Raiden with the neighbors.
One of Raiden and Elle’s favorite past times was exploring the woods that was at the end of their street in their neighborhood. When they were old enough to go explore by themselves, they were always out riding their bikes and playing in the woods and always making time to watch the sunset which they would watch on the roof right outside of Raiden’s bedroom window. He had the best view of the field and trees just across from their house.
Summer 2001, Things between Elle and Raiden were different. Elle cares about how she looked when she was around him. She started wearing make-up and her body started to change which Raiden noticed both. From Dusk to Dawn, they spent every hour together. Raiden’s turned 13 that summer, he had some of his friends over to enjoy a cookout in their backyard. Elle was nervous to give Raiden his gift. She wanted to give him something he would use and not think was stupid. She also wanted to make sure this birthday was extra special because his dad was deployed and was missing his birthday… and wasn’t able to call in time to sing happy birthday with the rest of the party. That perfect gift was a Washington Redskins Football Hat. When he pulled it out of the gift bag, the same smile he had on his face when he saw Elle’s playground was back. He put the hat on his head and he never took it off. It became his favorite hat. He got 2 other that birthday and they were only worn a hand full of times... nothing compared to how much he wore the Redskins hat.
The night after Raiden’s Birthday party, after everyone has else... their parents still in the back yard sitting around their fire they have enjoying their drinks. Elle and Raiden snuck away to sit on the roof to watch the sun go down.
“Thank you for my hat… I really do like it” Raiden says looking at Elle while they sit next to each other on the roof. Even with the sunsets glow of orange and pinks blanketing everything in reach, Raiden can see Elle’s Face turning pink.
“you’re welcome. Its ok if you don’t really like it... you won’t hurt my feelings” ... Elle said softly looking down at her feet with her hands down her sides placed on the roof.
Raiden shifts his body to face Elle and places his hand on hers to hold it. Elle jumps, not sure what he was doing.
“It’s the favorite thing I got today. Not just because it’s my favorite team….” Raiden pauses for a moment while Elle looks at him suddenly shy. “it’s my favorite because it’s from you.”
Raiden’s heart was beating out of his chest, he could hear it in his ears…swallowing and taking a deep breath Raiden lean in and steals a kiss from Elle. Sparks, fireworks, explosions, heat ... everything. Pulling apart, Elle and Raiden sit silently for a few minutes. not sure what to say.
Raiden breaks the silence...” I’m sorry, I just wanted to show you how much I like it... that I like you…” Pink creeps up Elle’s Neck and cheeks once again... “I like you too” ... Raiden smiles tighten his grip on Elle’s hand, and they finish watching the sunset.
The rest of the summer was spent riding their bikes, exploring the woods and more kisses were shared. They were each other's first kisses. The last weekend of summer before Schools starts, Raiden is telling Elle all about middle school and what to expect since her first day will be Monday. Saturday night they laid on the roof hours after the sun had set talking about anything and everything. Favorite memories of the summer, Halloween, Christmas, what they want to do when they grow up... where they were to live. It was no surprise Raiden planned to follow in his father’s footsteps and enlist in the Marines. Ever since he was younger it was all he wanted, to be a Marine, have a wife and home… he turned to Elle and told her he wanted that with her.
What can a 13-year-old and an 11-year-old know about Marriage or being an adult?
The answer is, nothing.
The school year flew by. Halloween came and went... Raiden and Elle dressed up with each other and went trick or treating without their parents, so they spent the whole-time holding hands while walking around as a dead Bride and Groom. On Thanksgiving, Elle’s parents invited Raiden and his mom over for dinner. Raiden’s dad wasn’t due back for another 2 weeks.
After dinner, everyone sitting in the living room sharing what each is thankful for. Of course, Raiden shares to the whole room he is Thankful for Elle, that his dad was relocated to Maryland.
Just as Raiden’s mother, Nancy was about to share what she as thankful for, there was a knock on the door. Everyone looks around the room… confused at who could be knocking on their door at 8:30 at night. Raiden being the curious 13 year old boy he is... as well as “the man of the house” while his dad is deployed jumps up and heads for the door.
Sneaking a glimpse out the window, he gasps and swings it open.
“DAD!!!”
Christmas, New Years, Valentine’s Day... Easter …each are spent with each other. Raiden and Elle Don’t care about anything but when they can see the other next. If they aren’t at each other’s house during the week, they are talking to each other on AIM.
Elle’s Birthday. It’s not the first birthday they’ve spent with each other... this would the 7th birthday since Raiden moved in next door. This birthday was different. Raiden wants to make Elle as happy for her birthday as she did for his. The weekends leading up to her birthday, he would ask his mom and dad if he could do some chores around the house to earn some money to buy Elle a Gift. The perfect gift. Elle loves so many things... but what comes to mind when Raiden thinks about Elle is “Sunshine” ... all the colors the sun paints the sky at night. Which was what Elle started to do. Elle always loved to paint and draw. But the last year she really started to show her talent to Raiden. Rainy days they would be spent at Elle’s house, they would hide away in her room. Elle would paint while Raiden watched her and he played cards or got caught up on homework. Raiden has a collection of Elle’s paintings…his favorite one that she surprised him with for Valentine’s Day. It was the day they first kissed. Raiden’s birthday. She painted him the sunset from that day, with a couple holding hands. The back reads
“To: Raiden,
Happy Valentines Day. I hope you like this picture I painted you... I call it “Together”. This is when you kissed me... on your birthday. We have been together ever since.
Love, Elle. “
It was a no brainer what Raiden wanted to get Elle for her birthday. With the money he earned and saved up, Raiden was able to but Elle a necklace with a gold locket in the shape of a sun... on the back he had engraved “together EJ+RC”.
Sitting on the roof outside of Raiden’s bedroom, they watched the sunset. It was warm on this April day which was perfect for what Raiden had planned... Watch the sunset. Given Elle her necklace and tell her he loved her. He also wanted to ask her to be his Girlfriend. Even though they didn’t need a title to know what each other was.... Raiden wanted to make it official because even if Elle acted like she didn’t care about it. It’s what ALL girls want right? To be asked out, to have a boyfriend. Needless to say, it was Elle’s best birthday ever. Raiden gave her a beautiful necklace and told her he loved her ... after asking her to be his girlfriend.
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The last week of school. June 2nd, 8th grade graduation. Raiden looked handsome in his suit; his dad had been home since Thanksgiving. Normally he would have left on another deployment. or were they called “Ops”? I thought I overheard him telling Mrs. Cole one night arguing about an Op he would have to go on. Either way, he had been home longer than he had been in between, and she had never seen Raider so happy. After Graduation, Elle and Raiden’s family went to lunch to celebrate. Cheesecake Factory... everyone loves Cheesecake, right? Then why do I get the feeling something is wrong? The energy has been off since we got in the car this morning... Mr. Cole has been quiet. he normally greets Elle with a huge smile and a “Hiya Ella Bella”... but this morning it was just a small smile and a “Hey Elle….” Maybe he has mixed emotions about his son going to High School in the Fall?
After we had cake back at The Coles house, the 4 of us sitting at the kitchen table. Raiden looks over to Elle and asks if she’d like to go hang out and watch a movie or paint. But before Elle could answer, Mr. Cole spoke.
“Actually Bud, there’s something I have to share.” Mr. Cole looks over to Elle and she noticed the sadness in his eyes...
Elle tilts her head in confusion than says “I’ll just go wait upstairs f…” Before Elle could finish her sentence and turn to leave, Mr. Cole grabbed her arm and spoke again.
“Actually Elle, you should stay here for this too... this actually affects you just as much as Raiden.”
I’m sorry what? What could affect me the same as Raiden? Are we going on a trip as a Graduation gift?
Raiden and Elle give each other a look...
Mr. Cole takes a deep breath while running his fingers through his freshly high and tight cut hair.
“I’ve been in the Marine Corp. Since I was fresh out of High School. 18 years old. Not a clue what I wanted to do with my life but follow in my dads’ footsteps... and join the Marines just as he had when he was my age. So, I did… that was 20 years ago. Which is hard to believe. After 20 years in, you are eligible to Retire...” Mr. Cole pauses... I’m sure Raiden also thinks this is going to be a conversation about retirement… and He’ll need my parents to watch him for a couple days here and there while they decide to travel.
“I’m only 38… My father was still in till he was in his late 50’s and even after he was still doing off the book ops…” Mr. Cole stopped talking like he knew he had said too much.
“Anyways, I was promoted to MGySgt…which is a great honor... but there was one catch”
Mr. Cole places both hands on the table and takes a deep breath before looking up at Raiden then me…” In order to accept the Rank. I must be in CA….”
“ .. But you’re in Maryland…how would that work?” Elle asked softly
Mr. Cole takes another deep breath… his mouth in a straight line… and looks right at Elle.
“I accepted the offer….”
Raiden’s jaw drops open. He sits there silently looking at his father.
“Dad…. please don’t …” Raiden is barely able to get out without his voice cracking.
Elle looking between Raiden and his father. Because she hasn’t figured out what’s happening...
“I don’t understand?” Elle asks...
Mr. Cole looks to Elle and puts his hand over top of hers as they rest on the kitchen table and speaks in the softest, most gentle voice she has ever heard come out of him.
“Honey, we will be relocating to CA. My office becomes available July 1st. but I’ll need to be there a week before. We leave the week after next… I’m sorry, Elle”
Raiden still sitting across from his father still trying to process the bomb his father just dropped on him.
I can't move... I can't’ leave Elle, I just told her I loved her... I just made her my Girl Friend…there has to be a way I can stay.
“I can’t go... Elle your parents will let me stay with you right?? Till I finish high school?? Its only 4 years. I’ll get a job and help around the house. I know how to cut the grass. I can cook. not very well but I’m a fast learner. Please dad talk to her parents. please. they love you... please don’t make me go…”
Tears were trying to break through Raiden’s eyes with every word he spoke. Elle had never seen him so emotional. He was always so strong and acted like he was invincible …
This can’t be happening… he can’t move...
Between packing The Coles house up and trying to do everything I could think of to make the last 2 weeks memorable… It made the 2 weeks go by faster than Raiden and Elle ever wanted them to...
They leave Tomorrow morning for San Diego, Ca. So, Raiden and Elle Spend their last night together the only way they know how and can do without speaking because it’s too hard to...
They lay on the roof outside Raiden’s bedroom one more time and watch the sunset over the field for the last time. This time They aren’t holding hand, Raiden decided they will sit with each other in a blanket... He wanted to hold her. He always heard how boyfriends hold their girlfriends... and he never understood why... but now he did, and he was beating himself up about not doing it sooner. Elle’s mom purchased her 2 disposable cameras so we can take pictures to remember the last 2 weeks together... Elle snapped a picture of our last sunset together. Then turned the camera around and got really close to me and took one of use together. She’s sad, she’s been quiet... scared to talk, knowing it will make what is happening tomorrow all that more real... and neither one of them were ready to say goodbye.
Raiden has 1 more picture left on his camera... and he knows exactly what to use it on. Spinning the dial on the camera, getting it ready he looks up a Elle while she’s sitting up with her knees to her chest looking out at the sunset. It’s a beautiful sight. It’s like mother nature knew to show up and show off tonight for them. There are purples, deep blues, orange, pink and the perfect number of clouds... this is what pure beauty is and he never wants to forget this night and this feeling. Not knowing what will happen after tomorrow... but he will always have a reminder of Elle. And when they were Together. June 23rd 2002.
It’s been a week since Raiden’s been in CA.. the longest we’ve spent apart since his family moved next-door in 1993.I can tell my mom is a little sad... maybes its easier when you’re older when a friend moves across the country... Raiden and I write letters. Each week we send each other letters. He starts high school this Fall… he’s nervous, doesn’t know anyone... of course, he’d be nervous.
Over the next 3 years the letters started coming every other week... from Raiden. Elle understood… or she told herself she did... it still broke her heart that Raiden wasn’t next door anymore... every bad day she had which was a lot lately since he left… she’s wanted to walk into his house and smell whatever Mrs. Cole was baking… she was always baking… teaching Elle how to make her famous cookies and pancakes over the years...
Standing out front of Raiden’s old house…it sat empty for a couple months after they moved out... the new owners have been in it for almost 2 ½ years now… older couple no kids... don’t come outside but to walk their ankle biter of a dog named “chichi”.
Elle misses Raiden… She doesn’t have a cell phone and isn’t sure if he does... so she writes a letter telling him everything happening. And her feelings and that his misses and loves him and that she wishes they were together for Valentine’s Day...
2 weeks go by and still no response… she waits one more week… still nothing Elle decided to do what she thinks is right. And sends one last letter.
Dear Raiden,
I wrote you last month, telling you, my feelings. That I haven’t been ok since you left... I miss you so much, I miss your mom and her cooking... I miss how your dad greets me and always treated me like his daughter. But what I miss the most is, us together. We are supposed to be together. So this is why it’s so hard to write this letter...I haven’t heard from you. Letters aren’t coming as much as they had... I know life gets in the way... but I haven’t been able to move on since you left... I’ve been waiting like you’re going to return and everything’s going to go back to how it was. I will always love you and hold the memories we shared close to my heart forever... and if Fate is real... maybe one day we will run in to each other... and when we do... I hope the spark is still there. Thank you for being my best friend those 9 years. I wish you the best in wherever you go in life... which I know you’ll be a Marine… and you’ll be a great Marine just like your father and grandfather. I bet you will look very handsome in some dress blues.
I made copies of the pictures we took the last 2 weeks together. It still feels like we just watched the sunset last night...
I will always think of you when I watch the sunset… you were my sunset... came into my life... full of warmth and heat... slowly changing becoming so much more beautiful... your colors drape over everything you can see... Purples, deep Blues, golds, oranges, pinks and reds. If you blink, you’ll miss if. But like the sunset... you came and went…and all I’m left with now are the memories of the beautiful show mother nature gave me.
You'll always be my sunset...
Love, Elle.
2006- Raiden graduates High School... the graduation is late in the evening on the coast... the weather is beautiful ... warm... low 80’s with a breeze. The stage is outside… so you can feel the salt in the air coming off the beach from the waves...
Raiden Liam Cole.
Raiden stands and walks across the stage and accepts his diploma and turns to his classmates and parents. At that very moment he looks out over the ocean at sunset... and all he can think about and see is Elle.
2 weeks later. He is on his way to Boot camp. Camp Pendleton, CA .. his dreams of becoming a Marine are in reach. Private, Pvt Raiden Cole
Elle stays busy with schoolwork... she got a part time job at a day care after school. She still paints more than she ever had before. Some of her artwork has been in a few art shows at school… her parents are very proud of her and are pushing her to go to Art School... make a career out of something she’s great at... it will never feel like a job... but to Elle... she paints to forget about Raiden... but at the same time... it’s how she keeps her memories of Raiden raw in her head. She doesn’t bring him up anymore... she’s locked him away in her memory so she wouldn’t hurt herself anymore thinking about him... but every night while she’s lying in bed, she unlocks the safe that keeps Raiden tucked away and lets herself break for him all over again.
October – Raiden home from Boot camp for 2 weeks. Leaves for School of Infantry SOI for 2 ½ months. Private First Class, PFC Raiden Cole
2008
January – Raiden finished SOI and goes to 2/8 (2nd Battalion 8th Marines) where he calls his new home. The Fleet. Here he would start a workup for the next 9-10 months before deployment.
June– Elle’s Graduation ... In MD in the county, she lives in, if their high school isn’t big enough to hold the class and their family for a graduation... they held it at Constitution Hall in DC. Stuck inside... in a busy city. Traffic... angry people... people in a rush... there’s no beauty in that.
Eleanor Elois James.
Elle accepts her Diploma and walks off the stage and sits back with her class. Her Parents take her to dinner after. Since the weather is beautiful, they sit outside the restaurant... that is placed on a pond. Halfway through dinner, Elle Excuses herself to use the restroom, walking back to the table is when she sees it. The sunset…. its setting over the pond...with the clouds perfectly parted, so there are sunrays stretched across the sky reaching down from the heavens. A tear breaks from Elle’s eye and falls down her cheek.
“Raiden “Elle says softly... “I miss you.”
A few months later, Elle met Logan Taylor in one of her Classes at the community college. She never dated after Raiden... she never wanted to accept that it was over... until the letters stopped but even after that, she never let herself get close to another man.
November - March Logan asks Elle out and to her surprise she says ok.
October -Raiden deploys for his first tour. Ramadi, Iraq. LCpl Raiden Cole
2009
July- Raiden home from Ramadi
August – Raiden takes 1-month leave.
September – Raiden returns to base to start another work up.
2 ½ years of dating and Logan asks her to marry him. She of course says yes. But as always... the memory or Raiden tell her he wanted to marry her and have a life with her…and she wondered what he was doing… why is she wondering what Raiden is doing after her Boyfriend just proposed to her.??
2010
July Raiden deploys 2nd tour. Picks up Corporal Cpl Raiden Cole
September - Raiden takes 1-month leave.
November- Raiden Reenlists and goes to the Raider Battalions and begins A&S Assessment and Selection. Picks up Sergeant, Sgt Raiden Cole.
2011
February – Raiden starts his Individual Training Regiment ITR
November – Raiden makes it through all phases of ITR. Take 1-month leave.
2012-
January -Raiden assigned to 2nd Marine Raider Battalion and starts job as a Sniper. Starts work up/ training for first long term deployment.
December – First Deployment with MOSAC Raiders. Picks up Staff Sergeant, SSgt Raiden Cole
2013 –
January – Raiden settles in Iraq.
April- Elle and Logan Graduate College
May - Elle and Logan get Married.
2014
January- Elle and Logan married almost a year, Working, and continuing figuring out the married life.
August- Raiden home from Iraq, takes 1-month leave.
October – Raiden begins next work up for another long-term deployment.
2015-
September- Elle and Logan attend wedding
August- Raiden leaves for Afghanistan on second deployment. Picks up Gunnery Sergeant, GySgt Raiden Cole
2016
May- Elle and Logan Celebrate 3rd Wedding Anniversary in Florida. Logan spends the first 3 days hungover and the rest Drunk.
July- Logans drinking is getting in the middle of their marriage. Only Elle notices.
2017
March- Raiden home from Deployment. awarded Silver Star. Takes 1 month leave.
May- Elle and Logan argue about everything now. He doesn’t want kids, she does. She wants to move somewhere warm but still has all four seasons, He wants to move to the mountains.
May- Raiden starts work up for next deployment.
2018
January- Raiden leaves for 1 month mission in Kenya - Reconnaissance a specified individual.
February- Raiden home from Kenya. Awarded Bronze Star Can only take 1 week leave to come back and start work up for the next and final mission as Master Sergeant MSgt Raiden Cole.
March – When everything Changed. Logan gets Friend Request from Jessica Matthews
June- Logans in WV with Jessica Matthews. Confirms her suspicions of him cheating.
August – Raiden leaves for 4th and final mission.
September 4th. Elle and Logans Divorce finalized.
Elle can go back to maiden name. Eleanor Elois James.
Goodbye Eleanor Taylor