Tried and True by Kelli Walker

Riley:
A small town for a small life
That’s the path for me and my son
Something quiet and peaceful and filled with happiness
Not like the death I had come to know
That is, until he walks in.
Barney.
A man I recognize from the hospital where I work
And for the life of me, I can’t figure him out
I want to be close to him
Nearer to him.
Even if death looms over his head like a thunderstorm

Barney:
This small town has stolen everyone I love
Everything I knew in the Navy succumbed to this place
I have to figure it out
I have to know why
I need to know why this town broke my SEAL team
Then, she happened
Riley MacComb
A doctor from the hospital in town
Her son reminds me of myself
Her smile reminds me of what it means to be alive
And I can’t town until I figure out why