Jack rang the bell and his mother opened the door. And the first thing she did was comb his hair with her hand. He had to bend down a bit to let her do what she so dearly pleased. Hello Father! he said to him half bowing. Hello! his father said in a grumpy voice. He handed the Package to his mother and sat down on the couch. His father gave him a beer and he too sat down himself. His demeanour had softened but he still had his problems with his son. When are you planning to get married? his father asked him. I just got divorced father, he replied. Leave him alone! his mother said supporting his son as she always did. His did made another grumpy sound and drank his beer. The tv was switched on and they watched the television in silence.
How long are you planning to keep looking at that photo? asked Phil. Jack sighed and kept it back in his pocket. She would never leave me. That is the love we share, he said proudly to Phil. The letters have stopped coming and Jack was in distress, but he did not make much of it. The only photo I have is that of my mother's said Phil with no worry in his mind except the impending bullet to his chest. He felt his chest and lied down. I was lucky to have her, said Jack implying he had accepted his fate. So am I, said Phil of his mother. They both. But their eyes.
Jack, Jack! called his mother shaking his shoulders. You are doing that again, she said. What? he replied in a very scruffy tone. Even his father was scared. Dinner is ready! she said very scared of her son. You should see that doctor, his father said. I have seen him, replied Jack. He just says that I have nothing, no matter how many time I go and meet him. You should see another doctor, his father said as they reached for the dinner table. His mother served him a lot of food, his plate almost overflowing. Enough ma! he complained but his mother did not listen. She put even more food. Now eat! she said to him. Jack ate his food and his father watched him eat his food without making a sound. The army has given you discipline, he said. Thank you dad, Jack replied. You know son, you have always enjoyed doing the easy things. Lazing around, he said putting spinach in his mouth. You never wanted to do the hard things. You found pleasure in the simpler things Jack, said his father with a hint of remorse. Yea dad, I just thought you were training me to be in the army like you, he replied. I never thought you were going to join the army. Not in my wildest dreams, his father said. Maybe I do find pleasure in doing the hard things dad, Jack said putting mash potatoes in his mouth. I think you enlisted because you like the thrill, his father said. That too, he said with his mouth full. He coughed and spat out some of the potatoes, his mother immediately gave him some water. Drink it Jack, she said.
Chew it properly, she said to him. I know Mary, he replied with a haste. I have other things to worry about than chewing my food, he replied. It was you who wanted to join the army, she replied. Going hunting with your father is one thing, but going to the army, is a whole different thing, she said with concern. I do like to hunt, he replied in a childish manner like he always did. This is different Jack. You can get killed in the war, she said. I know that, he replied with a sheepish confidence found in untested young men. Everything is a joke to you, she replied to him.
Phil, get up! He said. He was bleeding profusely. I can't let you go, he said with tears flowing in his eyes. We should have stayed back in Maryland, he said. It was a mistake, my mistake! he said. To convince you that it was the right thing to do. Phil coughed up blood. He was unable to utter anything. Phil! said Jack in pain. I should have listened to you, that there was nothing heroic in war. Phil coughed up all the blood he had in his mouth. He uttered "Well I'am a hero now" he said. Jack cried even harder as Phil's eyes looked up at the skies. He held his friend and cried to his soulless body.
He looked around there were countless bodies that were lying dead. The war was now where near its end. Millions of life were going to be lost. Millions of wives and mothers were going to mourn their sons and husbands. Children were going to live without their father. He wanted to take his bayonet and run it through the enemy. He got up and charged without fear, like a madman. But a few feet ahead he was tripped by a dying man's foot. His leg was severed from his body. He looked into the eyes of the man. He realised he was too was the enemy. He lied on the ground and shouted in anger. He then saw the craft again. This time he could see clearly. A man was standing on top of it. His mask was unique and peculiar. He knew that he was smiling. He could not see it, but he could feel it. Jack was curious to see the man smiling amidst all the horror. He threw his gun down from a fair distance. It landed right next to him. As Jack picked it up, the craft left him. He picked up the gun and put it in his holster. He saw in the corner of his eyes. There came a man parachuting down from the sky. Jack ran towards him. As the man landed and Jack removed the parachute from his face. He saw who it was. It was the colonel. Move away from my face, he said. He was clearly angry that he had survived. Are you alright colonel? asked Jack. Yes, he said and walked away into the battlefield. Colonel! Colonel! Said Jack and caught up with him. Did anything happen to you? asked Jack. Nothing! he replied with a taste of sadness and anger. He fumed as he took long steps. Crossing bodies and severed parts alike. He took his gun and shot at the air many times. Bastards! he shouted. He kept walking. Find out how many people we have lost and group the rest together, he said. But colonel! said Jack. This is not your regiment, he said. I don't care, said the colonel. Group the men together, he said. Col.Marty was a man of substance and character. Loud mouthed and temperamental too. And if he said something you better listen to it. No one wanted to be on the other end of his trashing. I was helpless Jack, he said. When I was there in their company, I was helpless, he said. I was waiting for the walls to collapse on me and the next thing I know I was in their company, he said. Sir, interrupted Jack. What was in the package? he asked him. He turned back and stared at Jack. He then continues to walk away. Jack knew better not to talk about it.