Chapter Twelve
Dear reader, you cannot imagine the way my heart pounded at those words coming out of my little girl’s mouth.
‘Adam!’ I exclaimed while springing from my seat and grabbing at my cane.
‘Who is it?’ It was mother’s voice this time.
I heard mother’s footsteps briskly following mine towards the door leading to the front porch. Oh God, could it really be him? I thought. If it were indeed Adam, what was I going to do or say? He had abandoned me unceremoniously. My love for him he’d counted for nothing.
I hurriedly stepped onto the porch. I could smell a cold breeze with different scents hitting my face, then a gentle male voice a few meters away spoke.
‘Leila’ he called out, that same sweet voice. I froze. It was as though I was in a dream.
‘Oh! My goodness Adam, please come in will you.’ Mother said from behind me.
‘Thank you Misses Cook.’ He answered gently, ‘It nice to see you both again.'
I heard what sounded like heavy boots approaching the wooden porch.
‘Let me take your hat,’ Mother said, goodness me, you have turned into a grown man, and dashing too I must add.’
‘Leila and I were just talking about you!’
‘Leila my child, won’t you welcome our guest?’ Mother seemed elated or overwhelmed just like me but I think I took to my father’s character more so because while mother seemed to go on chattering, me I seemed to always somehow become mute.
‘You are welcome.’ I said mutedly. ‘How is the war?’ I asked.
‘Not so good am afraid,’ he answered in reply. He smelt of tobacco, not the straw scent I had come to associate him with.
‘But you survived.’ I said in reply.
'Leila! That’s no way to speak to an officer of the army.’ Mother interrupted.
‘Oh, so you are an officer now.’ I asked.
‘Yes I am.’
‘What rank?’
‘Lieutenant’
‘And what does that make you?’
‘Adam dear, would you like something to eat?’ Mother interjected before he could answer me.
‘Thank you Misses Cook, I most certainly would be glad.’
‘Your language, I noticed, is more courteous since the last time we spoke.’ I said. I wasn’t about to let him off that easily.
He remained silent. I could sense, he wasn’t up for a fight. Me on the contrary, anger kept building within me, I was at boiling point.
‘So, I suppose you have been courteous too to other people you happened to meet along your line of duty, more so with the females.’ I said. I needed to dive my point home.
‘I wouldn’t exactly put it like that.’ He replied, still very calmly which only infuriated me the more.
‘How if I may ask, would you like me to put it?’ I asked again.
‘Leila, Vietnam isn’t what you would call a courteous place. I have watched men die right in front of me. The enemy is very evasive and cunning.’
‘Son, here you go, it’s not much but enough to keep your tummy warm.’ Mom shot in with foodstuff.
‘Thank you Misses Cook.’ He replied.
I couldn’t believe mother was already calling him son.
‘So tell me son, is the war coming to an end?' Mother continued, I believe she was trying to diffuse the tension building between us, ‘the radio says we’ve lost quite a great number of young men over there, fighting in a war that isn’t ours in the first place. It hurts me even more so because all those young men could have married and had families of their own back home.’
‘You are certainly right Misses Cook.' Adam replied. 'Over the past months alone, I have been tasked with the unenviable task of writing letters to families and loved ones of many fallen comrades. But, no the war is still far from over. However, we have enlisted, trained and equipped many locals in the art of warfare, and I believe this will ultimately save countless American lives. You see Misses Cook, this war like any other war is being fought on two fronts, combat and then the propaganda war but unfortunately, we are winning neither at the moment,’
‘How come you are here and not still fighting?' I chipped in, my tone was even but lethal.
‘I have served my time for my country so, I was recalled and replaced by other servicemen. He replied. 'It’s what happens in all wars in order not to kill morale in the troops. The army like any other entity is still comprised of people not machines and people do need some time off even from the battle field.’
I noticed he had matured and even though his conversation seemed strange to me, talking endlessly about the war and nothing else, he still had remained good natured, even tempered and courteous. I guess certain things about some people never really change no matter the circumstances.
‘What is your name Sir?’ Fantasia asked startling me. Having been so engrossed in what was unfolding right inside our living room, I hadn’t noticed her presence. I was also surprised she had used the word- sir. We seldom used the word in the house and I marveled at how she was able to address him as such. I guess human nature has an invisible way of organizing certain matters, even those concerning human relations.
‘My name is Adam and what is your name little angel?’
‘My name is Fantasia.’
‘Such a lovely name you’ve got there, where did you get it?’
‘My mama gave it to me.’
I noticed he took a few seconds before replying to that statement. It seems she had pointed her little fingers at me.
‘Oh, okay would you like to wear my hat then?’ He asked.
‘Yup’ she replied.
‘Okay, here it is.’
‘It’s so big.’
‘Yes it is, simply because I happen to have a huge head.’ he replied sending her chuckling.
The afternoon was spent in more war stories and heroic tales, some of which I thought were a little exaggerated. We all tactfully avoided talking about papa and as the evening was winding down, mother pressed him on more current affairs.
‘So, what are your plans now that you are back?’ She asked.
‘I plan to leave the army, finish my Law degree and hopefully comeback to Kalkaska and open up a law firm.’ He replied.
‘Well that’s nice to hear.’ she added. ’You happen not to have any plans for nuptials soon do you or you’ve already found yourself someone?’
Mother always reminded me of Amy or was it the other way round. Both were very nosy and direct at times which I found very unnerving.
‘Mother, I think Adam is just fine, if I can deduce anything from his answers. We do not need to know all the details.’
‘Actually I don’t mind...’ he began to say,
‘Actually I do mind.’ I interrupted sharply. I had heard enough. I wasn’t about to sit by silent and let what was left of my heart get torn to shreds and I think mother read my mood quickly enough.
‘I think let me go prepare something for dinner,’ She said, ‘I believe you are to spend the night here with us Adam?’
‘Am afraid not misses Cook, I live just across the creek,’ he replied in protest, ‘I had come to see how you all are faring. But, would you mind if I just took Leila out for a short walk? I promise to bring her back safe and sound.’
‘Certainly not Adam,’ Mother shot back eagerly, ‘take as long as you wish my dear.’