A Cry Heard From A Million Miles

Filed Draftsman

It was an evening filled with tension, knowing that a war was beginning and men and women were constantly being taken away from their families, possibly never to see them again; otherwise known as drafting. Little did I know, today was an unlucky day.
    I sat by the warm fire, overwhelmed by the anxiety of knowing that my Husband or Son could have to leave to join the army at any time. Not a moment later, my stomach dropped as the dreadful feeling I had been having seemed to bring a nightmare to life. I looked at the door that had just been knocked on, stunned with fear. My hands trembling and my teeth chattering, I opened the door and was welcomed by a scruffy looking military man. 
    “Uh-Uhm, yes sir?” I supposedly had a worried look on my face as he tried to affirm me positively. After nodding in thanks, I welcomed him in with a hand gesture and stood by the fire.
    “Hello Mrs. Would this possibly be the Jones’ property?” He said, looking at a paper that he was holding; which seemed to be a list of names and addresses.
    “Y-Yes Sir. Are you here for someone?” I asked with a meek tone of voice.
    “Unfortunately, I am indeed.” He said, taking off his navy blue military hat and placing it on his heart in a profound state of empathy.
    With a nod, he continued, “I’m looking for Oswald Jones. He’s been drafted to the war.” As he said this, I jumped back with anxiety and dumbfoundedness.
    “I’m truly sorry.” He said, looking down with a face of dread.
    “I.. I understand.” I said, piecing my brain back together from the state of trouble I had found myself in.
    I called Ozzy from the doorway and he stumbled down, stopping in his tracks when he saw the military officer.
    “No…” He muttered quietly while my eyes became glassy. I looked at him in silence and a state of shock that is not comprehensible to an ordinary being. Running to hug him, I cried relentlessly; not being able to keep it in anymore.
    “O-Ozzy! You won’t go, right? You won’t go!” I tugged on his shirt tightly, not wanting to let go.
    “Laura, I have to.” He smiled a sad smile and then countered my embrace.
    “You’ve got a warm heart, you’ve got a beautiful brain, but it could all be wasted if you leave right now.” I looked up with him, my face feeling warm and still crying fractiously. I looked behind me at the officer, not being able to tell if he was tearing up too or if it was just the moisture messing with my eyes.
    “How long officer? How long will he have to be gone?” Letting go of my husband, I dried my tears. 
    “Mrs. I’m sorry, that is not estimable. It is a war draft after all.” Concern filling my heart and soul, I nodded with dignity and acceptance.
    “I see.. Well, when will he be taken?” My eyes had finally parched from the fire as I looked to the musty ground.
    “I’ve been told to have him board the train on Monday morning, Ma’am.” He looked us both in the eyes with a saddening but encouraging expression.
    “I see. Today is Saturday. That means I just have one and a half days with you left, Ozzy.” I looked back at my blue eyed spouse with fake joy, trying to make him feel better.
    The man at the front door was now leaving, giving us privacy for our final days and possibly final goodbyes. Trying to keep a good attitude to make it easier for him, I put on a smile.
    “Laura..” he started, “I’ve known you long enough to be able to tell when you fake a smile. It’s okay to be sad. I’m sad too.” he looked at me with sympathy and cupped my face in his warm hands.
    With my eyes returning to their previous glassy state; I responded, “Ozzy, what if you never make it back? We have three children and I can’t take care of them alone. They won’t be able to live a normal life without you! What will I do? You’re my world and you always will be. I can already see it starting to crumble.. Don’t leave me. Don’t.. leave me.” I croaked, stuttering and tumbling over my words.
    “Laura, Laura, Laura. Have a little faith in me, okay? I promise to make it back. I will see you again. I will let us be a family again. I keep my promises. Now let’s just spend as much time together as we can until I have to go, okay? I love you Laura. I love you so much. Don’t dwell on something that isn’t worth dwelling.”