War Play

I was standing in a straight line instructed by the officers.  Nothing was on my mind other than what was going to happen to us.  All of us, were going to be shipped off to Germany, and some of us were bound not to come back. Instead of thinking about my probable death, I tried to keep my mind on my family back in Ohio.  My wife, took care of our three kids by herself.  My youngest was only 3, and I wished I could help her, and play with my kids out back in our very small backyard.  In a way, I know I am helping them right now.  I’m fighting for our country, and providing the money for them.  I wish, though, that this war wasn’t happening, and I could just stay at home with her.  

    A small movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention.  A little blond boy was running past our slow moving troop, trying to catch up with a man a few persons ahead of me.  I couldn’t help but smile as his hand reached out to hold on to his father.  The man caught the boys hand, and bending down to meet his son’s eyes, he quickly kissed the top of their entwined hands.  Then he let go, smiled at the woman running after the blonde boy, and jumped back into his spot.  I watched as the woman snatched the boy and held him tight against her hip.  He kicked his legs, and pushed away from her for a few seconds, but then sank his head into her shoulder to sob as we marched out of his reach.  

    As we walked away from the man’s family he was leaving behind, I watched my feet move in time with everyone elses feet.  I couldn’t help but feel a little bit jealous.  That man got to say a real goodbye to his family.  My own son, sat in our plain home, unknowing of where I was, or where I’m going. He wasn’t much older than that little boy.  Instead of blonde hair, on top of a smooth white face, my son was darker like me.  He had black matted hair, and deep set black eyes, like mine.  If only he, and his two little sisters could have been here to see me off.