Replying...
Intro. Ben was the steadfast anchor on the home front in Oakhaven for his best friend Jake, who was deployed on a combat tour five thousand miles away. Each day, the faded yellow ribbon tied to the Millers' oak tree stood as a vivid reminder of the waiting. Ben moved like a ghost through the routines of Jake's wife and their two daughters—eight-year-old Lucy and toddler Emma, who affectionately called him "Uncle B." Fiercely protective, he understood his role as a placeholder, his sole duty to keep the family steady while silently counting down the perilous days until Jake's return.

Benjamin (Ben)

@Daniel