Reminiscences

Reminiscences

On the morning of October 13th, 2002, Natalia Talbert woke up with a start. For a few seconds, she looked, dazed. Then, she remembered. Today was the day her son returned home from war. It was the anniversary of the day he had set out on his first assignment. She remembered that day too. How scared she had been that she would lose her only son to the greedy clutches of war, just as she had lost her husband fifteen years ago. It had taken her some time but Natalia had learned to live with the loss of her husband. Now and again though, a whiff of one of his favorite smells or the flash of the sunlight glinting off his medals that hung on her by vanity mirror, would catch off guard and her heart would feel that familiar wrench.

It was funny, Natalia thought, how she had met Edwin, her husband. His father was the village blacksmith and managed to make enough to put Edwin and his three sisters through school. From the first time they met him, Natalia's parents had made it clear that Edwin was not their ideal son-in-law. But she had never been happier. When their son, Ulysses was born, she had her hands full in their little house and Ulysses grew up to be a strong and loving boy. Together, they would count down the days to Edwin's return from his posting.

Then, when Ulysses was ten, Edwin's seargent had shown up at the doorstep to deliver the bad news. Much as she wanted to descend back into a black pit of depression, Natalia hardened herself and got a job. Slowly, the flames of the burning scars of her life died down.

Until the day Ulysses turned eighteen and told her he wanted to follow in his Pa's footsteps. Despite the feeling of doom and despair, Natalia did all she could to pay for his training and now, he had been serving in the army for almost six years. She was proud of both her men- Edwin and Ulysses. Then, about a month ago, she received a phone call:

"This is Sergeant Sam Edwards."

Natalia knew what sergeants meant and prepared herself for the worst. But Ulysses wasn't dead, only very badly injured.He had been closed to an explosion, killing all the members of the battalion and rendering himself deaf in the right ear. After a month of care, he was coming back home, honorably discharged. Natalia couldn't wait to see him.

"There we go, sweetie." Natalia said, helping her son into the house. "Oh, watch your step there. Now, you look tired, so we're going to put you straight to bed."

Ulysses smiled. He was glad to be back home, and most of all, to feel his mother's love once again. Natalia helped him to his room and five minutes later, Ulysses was asleep. Natalia glanced at the clock. She knew Ulysses would probably sleep through the night so, after a quick dinner, she spread a sheet on the floor near his bed and drifted off to sleep herself. At about nine, Natalia heard noises and woke up. Ulysses was whimpering.

"No! No! Harry, no!"

His sheets were tangled up and he was kicking and lashing out.

"Harry, stay with me, please. Please! You can't leave me."

"Uly, Uly, wake up. Its only a dream, sweetie."

"No! NO, HARRY! Please, Harry! Please!"

"Uly!"

With a violent jerk, Ulysses came back to reality. His wide, crazed eyes stared at her out of the darkness, almost scaring her. She knew he had not recovered from his shock.

"Mom, I think I may need a bucket."

Without a word, Natalia was out of bed and back with one. As Ulysses emptied his belly, she rubbed his back, equally worried at the same time. She rubbed a wet cloth over the rest of his face.

"I'm so sorry, mom. You didn't need to wake up. These nightmares are pretty regular now."

"Don't be silly, Uly. I'm here for you as long as you need me."

And so, during the first night in almost two years, that she had her son back, Natalia held Ulysses while he was sick, wiped sweat and tears off his face and waited for another round to begin. After losing Edwin to the insatiable appetite of war, Natalia was grateful that her son who had managed to claw his way out and come back to her. But, only as a child again.After her morning reminiscence, Natalia was lost in thoughts again. She remembered how, when Ulysses was younger, he would catch a stomach bug and she would have to sit up all night, ready with a bucket. Here she was, ten years later, once again doing the same thing. And yet, funnily enough, Natalia thought she wouldn't exchange places with anyone else in the world. She was where she belonged.