The Soldier// Completed

The Soldier

The slow, easy track played in the background of the nearly empty bar. “You’re gonna have to buy something if you plan on staying here,” the young copper haired woman wiped the counter for what seemed like the hundredth time. The man sat there needing time to himself to ponder his life and the choices he’s made. Slowly he nodded his head and rose to leave the dimly lit room. He had never tainted his body with alcohol, nor did he plan to tonight, or rather early morning.

The woman seemed upset that he was leaving, although it was at her demand. Perhaps she had expected to him to order a drink or two, maybe even ask for her telephone number. Instead, he slipped on his worn leather jacket and left her behind him. The cool night air bit at his clean-shaven face. Breathing on his hands, looking there for warmth, he failed and slipped them into his pockets instead. Not many people were out at this time, but a few cars passed him as he walked along the street, their lights shone on his gloomy face.

After quite a while of walking he stumbled upon a park. The sun was just about to rise and he didn’t want to miss it. Sitting down on a wooden park bench, he waited. He took in everything that was going on around him: The blue waves of the ocean far away, yet still visible in the semi lit world. The pier would be crowded with many people later on, children, mothers, and very few fathers and sons. Most of the men had been drafted or enlisted in the war. When he would go out he would receive seemingly depressing looks from wives whose husbands had gone, moms whose sons had gone, and the worst yet, children who had little or no male figure in their lives due to the war. It was a dark time for many people, especially him, knowing what lies ahead.

The sky danced with orange, pink, and yellow as the sun woke up from its slumber, its bright light illuminating what was once a black void with artificial light from the street lamps. As always, his mood instantly became better from the breathtaking transaction. With the new morning he felt like a new person, if only for a moment, and then suddenly, it disappeared. He stood from the bench and made his way to the end of the pier. The salty ocean mist greeted him with a soft kiss. He pushed aside his negative thoughts, and instead decided to focus on the more uplifting ones. His arms swung by his sides as his eyes looked up to see the new fun park that had been built on the pier. The rides were being tested by grease covered men who were too old to go to the war. The park was quiet this time of day. The occasional pop and hiss could be heard from the metal machinery. The smell of popcorn and something sweet filled his nostrils.

Very soon, he found himself far away from the pier, and was in one of the less fortunate neighborhoods of the small town he called home. He walked alongside the paved road.

“Hello, Joseph dear!” Mrs. Williams, a small, dainty, and grey haired woman, yelled from her garden as she had many times before. She need not look up to know who it was. This was a regular thing for the two. She continued to tend to her rose bushes, which were dying from the sudden harsh weather. The blood-red roses were cracking under the pressure the weather had cast upon them.

“How are you today Mrs. Williams?” he made his way into her quaint well pruned yard.

“I’m just dandy! How was the sunrise this morning?” her cheery voice cut through the early morning air.

“It was lovely as usual. It put a stop to my sour mood,” he forced a smile.

“That’s wonderful dear,” she smiled up at him. “Have a nice day, and do tell young Jimmy he’s welcome to join me later for cookies and tea!”

“I will, and I’m sure he’d enjoy that. Good day to you!” he shouted as he made his way out of her yard and continued to walk a few houses down. He didn't have much time now. 

Fumbling with his keys he finally found the right one and unlocked his door. The quietness of his home settled in. By now his wife would usually be awake, yet he heard nothing. His legs, by force of habit, carried him to the second door on the left of the hall. The door opened with a whisper just loud enough to break the silence, but nothing more. His eyes peered inside and came upon one of his most favorite sights in the word; there lay his six year old son Jimmy resting peacefully. There was no doubt in his mind that in a couple of hours Jimmy would be up, begging his mother to take him down to the pier. He walked over and placed a small present on Jimmy’s bedside table.

The small toy soldier stood there, the face that was painted on his cold hard plastic was filled with pride. He stood tall; keeping watch with his gun slung over his back. Staring at the soldier a moment longer, Joseph realized that this would possibly be the last time he saw his son. He raised his large hand and let it gently caress Jimmy’s little face as tears welled up in his eyes. Gaining his composure he left Jimmy’s room, closing the door behind him.

He trudged down the hall and slipped into his own room. His wife was still fast asleep in their bed. Her golden locks of hair splayed across her pillow, her arm outstretched to where his spot was. She stirred as he sat beside her on the bed and took her hand into his. He leaned over her, placing a lingering kiss on her forehead. Her eyes fluttered open.

“Go back to sleep, darling. I love you,” his voice lulled her back to sleep. He got up and left his family behind him.

Gunshots echoed in the humid forrest far away. The swap area the troop had already covered quickly turned into a crimson puddle filled with the bodies of those who were no longer a part of the living. Joseph had enlisted himself into the war. He was late to the fight, but still saw more combat than most men did. When he slept at night he thought of his family. Most men took trinkets from their home to remimd them that there was a life outside of the war waiting for them to return, but Joseph had only brought a single photo. The photo was taken on a beautiful day. The pier had just opened and Jimmy was ecstatic to ride the rides. He had asked a random stranger to snap a photo of them in front of the ferris wheel. He thought of the photo not daring to take it out of his jacket in fear the rain might ruin it.

He had it etched into his memory though. His wife tucked away under his arm whilst he held Jimmy on his hip. Jimmy had a boyish grin on his face and he was ready for more fun on the rides. His wife was laughing at something he had said and her eyes looked at Joseph as if he was the greatest man in the world.

The photo reminded him of home. He hated to think of home while being out here around all the death, but home was what kept him going every day. He wished he didn't have to leave, but he couldn't face another day looking at the faces of women and children heartbroken that the men in their families had left, and some would never return.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A toy soldier stood watch on a polished headstone. A wife and her son sat on the ground holding each other for support. They didn’t understand why he left. They only knew he was gone. They didn’t know that every time he left home he felt like a lesser man than those off making an effort in the war. They didn’t wake as he said his goodbyes a couple months prior on a day with a breathtaking sunrise. They were just left behind with all the misery and pain that death brings.