The Flowers of Mei

"Captain Castillo don't do it!" cried the General...

"Babe, what are you doing here!" exclaimed Mei.

I have surprised my wife, Mei Wong, at her flower shop. I haven't seen her in months, as I am a Captain in the American army, and it has been hard now with Hitler taking power in Germany. You never know when war can break out, it can happen in a blink of an eye.

"I got the day off, my "Florecita". I replied happily.

I missed her so much. I missed her rich mahogany hair. It flowed in waves to adorn her glowing, porcelain-like skin. Her eyes, framed by long lashes, were bright, hazel-brown and seemed to brighten the world. A straight nose, full lips - she seemed the picture of perfection. Had she smiled, the world would sigh with contentment. Had she laughed, the world would laugh with her. I missed all of it. I went in for a hug, but Mei stopped me midway.

"Careful there tiger, be careful with the little one." she soothed as she rubbed her stomach.

"Are you serious babe!?!" I cried

"Yes, Arielito! Now help me with those boxes." chuckled Mei

A few hours passed, and we were having dinner at our home when all of a sudden we get a phone call.

"I'll get it!" said Mei.

She came back a few moments later, dancing around in happiness.

"I was called from Nanjing, and they said that they want an order of flowers, and they also want to interview me for representing Nanjing in America! This is so exciting Ariel!" screamed Mei.

"That's amazing Mei! When are you leaving?" I asked

"Tomorrow babe and I'll stay with my parents for a few days," she responded

"Promise me you'll be careful my "Florecita". You never know what will happen with Hitler and all these horrible people. Call me when you get there as well." I said

"I will Ariel! Don't worry. I got to get ready baby! I love you so much!" she exclaimed

She was so happy. She had an amazing smile, a smile that could make your day in an instant. Little did I know that was the last time I would see her beautiful smile.

One day later I was back at the base. Mei had promised to call me later in the day, and I was waiting desperately for that call.

"Yo, Ariel! What is up?" yelled my comrade, Cap. William J. Washington.

"Aye, Will! Nothing much and you?" I responded.

"Same bud. Did you hear that the Japanese invaded China?" asked Will.

"The.. they what?" I shouted

"They invaded China. It is terrible, they are kill..."

"Cap. Castillo, you have a phone call." said the General.

Fear was now running through me. I ran up to the phone, pushing people out of the way, not caring about anything, except Mei.

"Ariel it is terrible! The Japanese invaded China and are here in Nanjing. I just want to go home, babe. I need yo... No please don't hurt me! Please, I'll do anything, just don't hurt m..." sobbed Mei before someone interrupted.

"Leave her alone you bastard! I'll find you and..."

"Oh, shut up you filthy American soldier." said the other line

"What are you going to do, huh? Come for me if you want, you know how to locate phones. Do you want to talk to your wife? Oh, that's right, a headless body can't talk to you. Oh well, I'll be waiting." laughed the other line.

"No.. Nooo! It can't be!" I yelled

I grabbed the phone and ripped it from the wall and threw it. I wiped my face and ran past William.

"Where you going Ariel?" asked Will

"These bastards killed my wife! My wife! She was expecting a baby! They should burn in hell, and I'll be the one to put them there."

There I was creeping through the quiet streets of Nanjing. I found myself walking along an empty street, only accompanied by the darkness and the fog. They were like omnipresent observers, carefully watching each of my steps. I felt the souls of the victims of the Rape of Nanking, especially my Mei running through me, lifting me up, guiding me to where I had to go.

I finally arrived at an empty warehouse. I hesitated a little, fear taking over me like sleep takes over us, like death grabs onto us. Then she drifted into my mind, swiftly dancing smiling. Oh, that smile. That smile that left me speechless, that smile that made even the toughest soldier into an innocent child on Christmas morning. I remembered why I was there.

I walked into the warehouse and silence greeted me. The only thing that I could hear was the sound of my own breathing.

"Ahh you finally made it you filthy American." laughed a voice.

I immediately remembered that voice. That voice that stripped me from loving someone, that stripped me from being a father.

"Cat got your tongue, huh?" he asked

All of a sudden light illuminated the warehouse, and what I saw next destroyed me.

"Looking for this?" he smirked holding Mei's head, bodiless.

"You know American, she was a fine one, lucky you. I enjoyed that way she screamed and cried for mercy. They way how her eyes went blank as the knife glided through her throat, how her blood showered her stripped body. I enjoyed slurping the blood, all of it." he said

"You son of..."

"Oh shut up. I have a surprise for you!" he shouted. Suddenly darkness fell upon us, and a felt a warmness on my right shoulder. The lights came on once more and there was a katana embedded halfway on my shoulder.

"We Japanese have a tradition of killing our enemies with 100 cuts to the body. That was your first one American," he exclaimed.

"U.S Army! We have you surrounded. Cap. Castillo back away." shouted the General.

He turned around and said, "Well, look who came to join the party! You guys want to see how I kill your toy?" he laughed

I looked down at my soldier and saw the Katana. Now was my chance. I grabbed the Katana and started pulling it out, wincing at the pain.

"Aye, you! Me las vas a pagar!" I yelled, charging towards his neck.

"Captain Castillo don't do it!" cried the General...

It has been 9 years since that night. It is the end of World War 2, and the world is back at peace for know. I resigned from the army and continued Mei's passion as a florist. I sometimes see two figures walking along the shop. I know Mei, and Arielito are protecting me. I take flowers to Mei's and Arielito's tomb every day. They may finally rest in peace. Whatever happened that night, 9 years ago is for me to know and for you to figure out...