The way of nature and the way of grace

 

"Oh, my God," Yuki felt if she was choking on her own words. She knew Brandon was upset, but it felt like a relief that he'd called her first. Although it was so haunting, she could hardly believe it.

 He was going to Germany to get his niece Heidi. 

The news was shattering to hear about his sister. It was a domestic incident in the military housing. 

"I just talked to her recently," Brandon sounded so distraught. "They were going to come back here for Christmas." He coughed more tears. "I can't believe..he..he would do that to her. I thought, you know, it was so perfect." 

Yuki knew he was in a lot of emotional pain she never wanted to go through. But his sister had died from a gunshot. She'd been in her own kitchen when it happened.

Brandon told her he'd been placed as Heidi's guardian so long ago, that he'd practically forgotten. Now he said he thought he might have a heart attack. Declan was going with him. They were actually able to get a flight from the nearby base.

"What will you do?" She wanted to know.

"I guess..well, we'll be the best parents we can be," he said.

"But you don't even have a room ready for her," Yuki said.

"I know." He told her there was so much to do. He couldn't even think straight. He was thankful to have Declan take care of so much of this trip.

"At least let us help," she said. "We'll get the apartment ready."

"Thank you," he said with a sigh.

"It'll be OK," Yuki said, but she knew it might be a long time before Brandon believed that.