Abstract
After retiring from twenty years of service in the Navy, Alex returns to civilian life burdened with the weight of silence, disconnection, and a fading sense of identity. Struggling to adapt to the unstructured world of home and family, his relationships with his wife Rachel and daughter Ava grow strained. Through vivid flashbacks of high-stakes moments aboard aircraft carriers and hangar bays, the story explores the enduring imprint of military life on the human spirit. As Alex begins to slowly rediscover a sense of purpose by teaching aviation maintenance at a local college, he slowly rebuilds the emotional bridges with his family, especially with Ava, who helps him reconnect with fatherhood though a shared moment. Ultimately this story is about transitions, healing, and finding new meaning after service.
Bio
My name is Katherine Britton. I’m a Navy spouse, a mother of four, a pharmacy technician, and currently a student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering. I’m originally from Orlando, Florida—but thanks to military life, I’ve come to call several places home.
My love for space began as a kid during a visit to NASA with my dad. That day lit a fire in me that never truly went out, even when life took me in a different direction. I started my career in healthcare, working as a pharmacy technician, but over time I realized my heart wasn’t in it—especially as I navigated the frustrations of the healthcare system.
I met my husband young and spent years focused on raising our family. It was actually my second son, with his wide-eyed fascination with astronauts, who reminded me of the dream I’d buried. Seeing his passion helped me reconnect with my own.
Now, I’m chasing that dream with a new sense of purpose—bringing not just ambition, but life experience, resilience, and a deep love for learning into the world of aerospace. I’m excited to be part of the future of space exploration and to show my kids that it’s never too late to become who you were meant to be.
Recommended Citation
Britton, Katherine
(2025)
"Between Orders and Silence,"
Night Flight: Online Literary Journal: Vol. 6
, Article 11.
Available at:
https://commons.erau.edu/night-flight/vol6/iss1/11