Behind Enemy Lines

Final Entry

May 12, 2011

Dear Torren,

Words can’t describe the pain of thinking about you. It’s been so long since that day we met, I believe it was sixty-six years ago…then again my mind hasn’t been the same for a while now.

Let me start off by saying I accomplished the promise. After being reunited with my brother at that camp, we set off for America. Ivanka tagged along with us since she did say she had an estranged uncle who lived in New York. It turned out he was Nicolai’s boss. It’s funny how small this world can be.

I went to school in New York, then to college where I studied to be a doctor. It took me twelve years but they were so worth it. I got a degree and PHD. I saved lives Torren, lives of men, women and children. Even comrades in war.

Yes Torren I was a medical officer like you in the war of Vietnam. I was given a medal of honor for my bravery. I was rewarded for saving lives. I knew if you were there you would have been so proud.

I married Ivanka after the war, we were together before hand but I decided to pop the question to her. We got married in the Florida Keys, and you know what, I never returned to New York after our wedding. I loved the warm weather and the tropical feeling of this place. I only then returned to New York for my brother’s funeral, but that was twenty years ago.

Five years ago Ivanka died of cancer, thus leaving me alone. Oh, we have three children together, they are now adults and I’m officially a great-grandfather as of two days ago. We have two girls and one boy. My daughter’s names are Anya and Evelyn. My son, his name is Torren, I named him after you.

You see Torren, everywhere I go there is something that reminds me of you. The ocean breeze, the laugher of happy couples. Anything and everything reminds me of you.

I still have that note book of all my letters to my brother and as of right now this is officially my last letter in this book.

I’m very old Torren and my time in this world is coming to an end. Hopefully when I see you someday, we could meet at a beach and everyone would be there with us. Just thinking about it makes death seem so much comfortable.

Well until we meet again I’ll always think about you.

This isn’t a goodbye but a see you later.

-Yours always-
Mika

I closed the notebook and set it aside on my night stand. It was late at night; the fireflies danced around in my room, the ocean breeze followed by the ocean sound were comforting. It was rather lonely being here ever since Ivanka passed away but I knew I wouldn’t be alone for too long.

With a deep breath I looked all around my room, at all the pictures of my accomplishments. I had pictures of me in New York, pictures of Ivanka and me when we were young and pictures of our wedding as well as our children and our grand children. All my pictures reflected my accomplishments and how I fulfilled my promise to Torren. Hell I even had a picture of me shaking hands with President Kennedy. I then glanced over to my dresser and saw my old medical officer uniform from Vietnam with the Medal of Honor on it.

I let out a yawn as I snuggled into my sheets; Torren’s wooden cross necklace was wrapped tightly around my hand. I always had it on me, not once had I ever let it go. I slowly closed my eyes drifted into a deep sleep. In my dream I was walking through a grassy plain that over looked the ocean.

I walked down a stone pathway, towards the warm sandy beach. There I saw Ivanka running around with her brother Lukas, both looked happy and young. They both saw me and smiled joyfully in unison.

“Mika! Mika’s here!” Lukas said as he grabbed my arm and pulled me along.

I laughed as I ran with him, Ivanka followed along. When we reached the beach I saw Mama and Papa laying down on a rock, both had smiles on their faces as they saw me.

“Mika! You’re here!” My mother cheered as she got up and placed a kiss on my forehead. Her kiss felt so real.

“Mika it took you long enough!” I heard Nicolai’s voice next. I turned to see him standing with Druka, both my older siblings looked graceful as ever.

I felt tears stream down my eyes with pure happiness. This was no ordinary dream for me; everything felt too real from the warm sand to the cool breeze form the ocean.

The ocean. It was a crystal blue and as clear as glass. But what was really remarkable about the ocean was the person standing with the water knee high. He had on baggy musty brown pants with a tight white shirt the clung to his muscles perfectly. His chocolate brown hair was neatly brushed. I felt my heart beat accelerate with happiness, then my chest went numb. I found myself walking towards this man and as he turned around I couldn’t help but smile.

”Mika…” Torren whispered as he held out his hand. I took it gracefully, that funny feeling in my chest went away. In fact I felt somewhat disconnected from everything.

That’s when I knew this wasn’t a dream at all.

I looked at Torren and smiled, letting him know it was okay. He smiled back and smiled brightly.

“Welcome home Mika..”

The end.