On a cold, fog-laden evening at the depot, Iris Winnow waited with her brother, Forest, as soldiers boarded a train bound for the front. The scene was shrouded in gloom and rain, which Iris felt suited the somber farewell. She and Forest, often mistaken for twins despite their age and height difference, paused as the last call to board echoed across the platform.

Forest tried to reassure Iris, claiming he would be gone only a few months, though both sensed the uncertainty. Iris briefly considered enlisting to follow him after noticing a young woman soldier, but Forest firmly refused and made her recite the two promises she had given him the day before: to take care of their mother and to enjoy her final year of school, with his hopeful promise to return in time for her graduation.

Iris wrestled with fear and anger at the war’s pull, wondering if Forest loved the goddess whose call he had answered more than he loved her. She imagined the risks he faced, focusing on his heart beating beneath his uniform and the possibility of a fatal bullet. The whistle cut her thoughts short, and with time running out, Forest offered her his tan trench coat, saying the army would issue him another.

Iris put on the coat, comforted by its worn smell of clocks, oil, the diner where they often ate, river walks, and Forest’s sandalwood aftershave. They tried to ease the moment with light jokes about sharing a closet and fashion, but the grief undercut their banter. Iris hugged Forest tightly, swallowing the pained questions she could not voice about his devotion to the goddess and his departure.

As the train began to move, Forest stepped away, promised to write, and boarded with determined eyes. Iris waved through tears until the train vanished into the fog, then stood alone on the emptying platform before starting for home, feeling hollow and soaked by the rain.

With her hands in the coat pockets, Iris found a small folded paper. In the dim light she read Forest’s typed message, which called her the best sister, expressed pride in her, and promised he would be home soon, signing off with her nickname, “Little Flower.”