A War on Two Fronts (Peterick)

Chapter 3

-Patrick-

"Drafted?" I asked. I didn't want to believe that what I was trying so hard to deny is actually happening.

"Yes son." He handed me an envelope. "You're to report in 48 hours. Everything you need to know is in the envelope." The men finished and began to walk away to find their next victims.

I closed the door, leaned against it, and fell to the ground. I starred at the envelope for what felt like hours, but I'm sure was actually only a few minutes.

Reality never really hits you harder than when it puts your life on the line. I'm nothing to the government. Just a man to fight their war. "We're winning the war." the government and media say, but then the news sations show actual footage of men dying, and interviews with soldiers that say the opposite. This is why Americans don't trust the government anymore. Because they lie about things that shouldn't be lied about, like losing a war. I'm not even a person to them. All I am is a pawn to advance their position in the game of foreign affairs. There is a good chance that I will die out there and I know it. I'm not physically inclined, I'm not strong and fit. While I am certainly healthy, I'm in no condition to win a war that we are losing.

I got myself together and went to the living room. I turned on the TV and the news was one. "Lets not forget about the draft that has been implemented today on December 1, 1969 for the first time since 1948" I have never turned the TV off so fast in my life. Not knowing what to do, I decided to go for a walk and get some fresh air and hopefully lift the weight of my shoulders. I grabbed my coat and stepped out into the cold December air. It just began snowing. Putting one foot in front of the other, I slowly made my way to the park and in my favorite spot.

From under the cork tree I watched people walk by. Laughing, smiling, and enjoying what they have. Couples were holding hands as they followed the trail. Children played in the snow as their parents watched from a distance. People walked their dogs, and others had food at the picnic table. I stared at everything I would probably never get to do again. I saw the kids I'll never have. I saw myself walking hand in hand with Elisa and me fading away.

My glasses began fogging when I heard a voice. "Patrick?" I knew who it was without looking.

"Hey Elisa..." I said quietly.

"I knew you would be here..." She smiled softly. That smile I will never see again. "You didn't answer the phone, so I went by your house but you weren't there... so I came here. What's wrong babe?"

"I've been drafted." I said as I stared up into the darkening gray sky, snow flakes hitting the lenses of my glasses and melting. "I have 2 days." I looked at her.

"What?" She said in disbelief. "There has to be a way for you to get out of it!" She begged.

"I wish there was." I looked down into the snow, feeling a cold tear roll down my cheek. "But there's nothing I can do Elisa...." I said quietly.

She slammed into me hugging me and crying. We fell on the ground into the cold snow, laying there as I hold her as she cried into my chest. "Promise me you will come back." She begged.

"I promise. I'll be back before you know it." I wish I could believe myself.

"I know you will. I'm just so scared. Everything I've seen on TV. All the names. The footage, the interviews.... It's all so... condemning." She cried more.

"I will never end up like them." I already am. I'm basically dead. "And I'll come back to you like nothing ever happened." In a casket. "Come on. It's getting cold and late. Let me take you home."

"Okay." She said as I helped her up. I kissed her for a moment when she was up. "Come on." I said as I grabbed her hand.

Once I walked her to her house, I made my way home. I noticed my parent"s cars parked out front. I guess it was time to tell them I'm going to war.

I stepped in the door and went to the kitchen to see my parents eating dinner at the counter.

"Hey sweetie. Dinner is on the stove if you want some." Mom said.

"I'm not hungry." I said quietly looking at the ground.

"What's wrong, Son" Dad asked, sounding concerned.

"The military came by today... and... I've been drafted to go to Vietnam... I have to report for boot camp in 2 days." I fixed my glasses, trying to find comfort in the old habit.

Silence.

"I know I'll come home, but I'm still scared." I said trying to make them feel better.

Suddenly Mom starts crying and Dad is looking off into the distance. I guess they knew I wasn't to make it either out alive either.

"Does Elisa know?" Mom asked in between sobs.

"Yeah. We just talked about it at the park."

"Of all the people they could have chosen to fight this god damn war, they choose you!" Dad yelled and slammed his fist on the counter. I've never seen him get this way....

"I'll be fine guys. I promise." I tell them, hoping to make them feel only a little better. I should be the one crying and yelling. Not them.

"I know, Son." Dad said calming down going to hug Mom.

"I'm going upstairs. I just need to be alone for a while. I love you Mom and Dad." I said before I turned around and left the room.