No More War! - 2

Page 2

Try as she may, she could not remember the all the facts and finer details describing how he had ended up in a military hospital, nor could she recall all the information that explained the reason why he lost his leg. 

The only information she held was what his Sergeant had told her, how he was a hero and had saved his platoon.  Sergeant Jones had added that she should be very proud of him, proud of his bravery and courage. 

Perhaps at the time when she received this dreadful news she had been fully informed, nevertheless, all she knew was that her husband had gone to war and come back a broken man, and now he was coping with the recovery of his physical injuries - heroically.

He had taken to walking with crutches incredibly well, and was able to get from A to B without much trouble and very little pain.  Oh yes, psychically he was on the mend, however, mentally he was truly struggling.  And he was unable to sleep in their bed anymore and when he did sleep, he slept sat in his armchair in the sitting room. She missed him, she longed to hold him at night and wake up next to the man she loves, and she felt so alone!

On many occasions, she awoke her from a deep-sleep to the sound of a grown man wailing, to a cry that would piece the air.   

The countless times that she had come downstairs in the middle of the night to the noise of his cries and wailing - while he was asleep. 

 And as she listened to his cries, she wondered what he had experienced, what was it that made her strong man wail as if he were a child? 

It was heartbreaking hearing him in so much pain, and devastating seeing he sat there lifeless, soulless, and empty.

“Mommy, where’s my shoes?” 

Timmy’s voice brought her back into consciousness and away from her disturbing thoughts.

“I have them downstairs…now get a move on”. 

“You have exactly ten minutes to get to this breakfast table, and I am counting!” 

Another empty threat she thought. 

The pressures of the last eight months were starting to take their toll on her, and she lost her temper with Timmy on most days. 

It was not his fault, she would tell herself every time she reprimanded him, for he was hurting too!  

Timmy flew down the stairs, and slid onto his seat at the breakfast table as fast as lightening, and then he tucked into his breakfast cereal.  And through mouthful of cornflakes he informed his mom that he had football training after school, and would need his football kit to take to school today.

Once again, he asked her if his dad would be coming to see him play football, and once again, Diane had to find an excuse to cushion him from disappointment. 

How can a six year old fully understand that his dad, who was a hero, and had lost his leg, was not ready to face the world that he had left four years ago? 

The world of school runs and football matches, of grazed knees and proud moments, of collecting milk and bread for tea….of mundane, normal civic living.  

(C)2012