1
Polaski was a twenty year man. He signed up in ’86, a few weeks short of his 20th birthday. He and Jenny had just married and were eager to settle into married life and Polaski wanted security. 2
The military seemed the best option to Polaski who had been an unqualified construction worker. Among many assets, he would also have a home for himsef and Jenny to raise their kids. He had signed on for a 20 year stint saying to Jenny that come the time to de-mob they’d still be young enough to enjoy life and do all the things they couldn’t do while he was enlisted, and his retirement cheque would be large enough to put a down payment on a small life-style block in the foot hills. 3
Staff Sergeant Lou Polaski and his wife Jenny had what they thought was the perfect family. Two boys aged 14 and 12 and a daughter, the apple of her father’s eye, aged 10. 4
Jenny worked from home as a computer programmer which meant she was at home for the kids and her job kept her mind off Lou being over in Iraq. 5
Lou had already completed one tour in Iraq, and had volunteered for a second immediately. 6
This irked Jenny. But Lou’s plan was simple. Once the second tour of duty was over, he’d be home and within few weeks, retired. The second week in January would see him in civi’s, and the army uniform packed away. 7
Father Joe Brown, the Padre for Lou Polaski’s unit, was astounded to see the three Polaski children shopping at the local supermarket. Alone. 8
That was the unusual part. 9
There was no sign of Jenny anywhere. Padre Brown approached the children and enquired from Lou junior how it was that they were shopping for groceries without their mother. 10
Was their mother ill? 11
The young Lou Polaski was quick to respond. 12
“No Sir. She is not ill. She told me that she was going to join dad in Iraq and would I take Jeff and Penny to the supermarket and purchase a few items that were needed for tonight’s supper.” 13
This reply surprised Father Joe Brown. In all his thirty years as a Military Chaplain, he had never heard of the partners or family members joining the personnel in a combat zone. He knew that it was only a couple of weeks until Christmas, and maybe the military had softened up on their rules, but he was sure that they wouldn’t be getting this soft! 14
He would have to check this out with Mrs. Polaski. 15
He told the children that he would wait until they had finished shopping and give them a ride home. 16
Father Brown helped the children with their groceries, and once inside he asked Lou jnr. Where his mom was. 17
Lou replied that when he left for the store, she was reading a letter. “She must be in her room.” He said. 18
Sensing an unusual presence about the place, Father Brown told the children to wait where they were and that he would go and see where their mom was. 19
He knocked and enquired at the bedroom door but received no response. He clasped and turned the handle and entered the room. There was Jenny lying on the bed with a letter in her hand. Dried tears covered her face and an open, but empty pill bottle lay on the bed beside her. 20
Father Brown reached over and took the letter from her hand. 21
It was from Military Command in Washington. He was familiar with these types of letters. In his military career he had seen many. 22
He began to read, 23
Dear Mrs. Polaski, 24
We regret to inform you that Staff Sergeant Lou Polaski was killed in a suicide bomb attack while serving for his country, in Iraq. ………………… 25
Jenny Polaski was dead. She indeed had joined her husband Lou in Iraq. 26
This last tour of duty they would do together.27
Sammy28
December 200529
Author notes
*Pure fiction*
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 14 of 14
-
Thank you 1der. You have know idea how much your comments and critique on my humble endeavours mean to me.
Knowing how busy you are makes them all the more precious.
Thank you agin.
Sammy
-
Your writing skills have taken such shape and form that this has absolutely left me with chills. Sammy I am in awe of the manner in which you have penned this story. I know you said it was fiction but I could see the images of this loving and adoring family in my mind as I read through here and the ending was simply chilling. You have given this story life and pulse and achieved what many cannot do when they pen a story. This is simply fabulous my friend. Kudos to you!!
♥ Touchof1der -
Thank you Deercatcher for your considered view on my ficticious story. Your comments are much appreciated.
Sammy -
Thank you AA for coming by to read my story. I am sorry to hear of your family losses.
Wish You all the best for the years ahead.
Sammy
-
On first take I think her action was inconsistent with her life style. While it seems to me that the Mrs. demonstrated alot of character, forethought, patience, and love for her children, people often do rash, dangerous things on the spur of the moment. This kind of news should be delivered in a way that the shock could be monitored.
-
very good...thought and memory provoking
This makes me soo sad for the family of Lou Polaski...To all of those serving or having served in Iraq or elsewhere for one of the armed services...I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your service to this great country is appreciated more than you know. It is hard to find the words to share with a poem such as this one. My heart goes out to the children, parents left behind. I know that Mr. & Mrs. Lou Polaski are in a better place now but my heart aches for those 3 kids and the parents of the deceased. I've lost a niece to leukemia just after Christmas 1996 and I still miss her even though I know that she's with Jesus. A year ago I lost my mother to congestive heart failure, diabetes. I know she's in a better place now also...but she is still missed by family and friends. At this time of the year we cannot help but think of those loved ones passed on. -
Thank you Velcronic for the wonderful comment. Much appreciated.
Sammy -
Thank you Rose2005 for taking the time to read and comment.
It is truly appreciated.
Sammy -
The moral choices in this story are very informative. Your endorsement of the choice of a personal relationship ahead of self-sacrifice in favour of children should be applauded as being truly post modern and feminist. Well done.
-
beautiful
wow nice story.very emotionally expressed. but Comment 'amazing write.It is so very beautifully written and put together.nice tone and wonderful flow.
beautiful imagery -
Thank you for taking the time to come by and read my story.
I salute you for serving your country and wish for you a happy and carefree future.
Take every care,
Sammy -
truely this is a sad story. i can relate to this story a little. many of my friend have i watched die and yet my heart still hasn't turns to stone. being over in iraq and kuwait was indeed a trying time for me. many that i care about i have lost but their memories i will keep. thank you for sharing,
Sugar -
Thank you my dear Katie. Your comments are always appreciated.
Love
Sammy
-
Superb!
All sorts went through my mind as I was reading this Sammy, what I didn't expect, was the ending you have here. My mind went back to the 2nd world war and the evacuees, I imagined the mother had decided to join up in the Medical unit or something, leaving their children with a family member... then I began to feel uncomfortable about what was coming next because the feel of your words implied something was definately about to unfold that was unusual. That's good writing Sammy, you have been able to convey strong emotions toward your reader as the piece unfolded.
That the love between the two was extraordinarily strong is left in no doubt because of what happened at the end. A last duty together, a very sad ending, yet what stands out most is that you have really been able to let your reader feel the strong emotions that are threaded through this story.
A sad write, but the exercise of this has been accomplished and very well too!
Your talent as a writer shines through and is a delight to read
~Katie~
Edited on Dec 10, 2:47 because 'Superb!'.
Adding your comment:
1 - 14 of 14
