THE SOLDIER: A Vietnam War Era Novel

by Schwartz, Richard Alan

  “About your fiancé?” Rachel asked.

  “Plus things I did in the war.” Scott wiped his eyes then his chest.

  “Why don’t we drive into town for a coffee and then some window shopping?” Donna said, resting a hand on Scott’s shoulder.

  He nodded.

  “I’ll keep an eye on the boys,” Rachel said, while feeding Abbey.

  Donna mouthed a thank you.

  As Scott and Donna walked to his car, Rachel noted Donna kept a hand on his shoulder.

  Upon their return, Brian and Scott plus the boys drove to the hardware store to buy parts for repairs around the ranch.

  Donna and Rachel brought books out to the patio. They read and sipped iced tea while Abbey slept in a nearby crib.

  Donna said, “Scott isn’t working this summer. Any chance he could stay here for the rest of the week so we can spend more time getting to know each other…with your and Brian’s permission, of course.”

  “Scott agreed?”

  “He’d love to. We’d have to drive to his apartment on the other side of Dallas to get additional clothing.”

  “Go,” Rachel said.

  “Brian won’t mind?”

  “He’ll be happy for both of you, as am I.”

  * * *

  “I could listen to music like that every day for the rest of my life,” Donna said after the four adults attended a concert at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra where they listened to an evening of Mozart.

  “Saturday afternoon,” Brian said, “there is a children’s concert. They’re performing ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ plus Prokofiev’s ‘Peter and the Wolf.’ Seth’s never heard either one. After the concert the children are allowed on stage to examine the instruments up close.”

  Rachel glanced at Donna who nodded. Rachel said, “Let’s plan on it. We should phone Martin and tell him of our plans. See if he can bring Michelle and Janine. Maybe Krista can join us as well.”

  * * *

  The following Saturday morning, Donna and Rachel each wearing swimsuits and wide-brimmed straw hats sat at a small round table on the patio watching the boys plus Brian and Scott, frolic in the pool. They shared a large pitcher of iced tea while relaxing under a warm Texas sun.

  Donna reported to Rachel, “As Scott stated, we feel like Humpty-Dumpty except…” She took a sip of tea.

  “Except what?”

  “The war caused Scott and me to suffer a great fall but, unlike all the king’s horses and all the king’s men, our relationship is, a piece at a time, putting us back together again.”

  Rachel laughed, reached across the table and squeezed Donna’s arm. “You feel you have a future with him?”

  Donna hesitated, then said, “We’ve spent little more than a week together, but yesterday, just for fun, we checked out homes in Plano and engaged in a huge disagreement about private vs. public school, but, ultimately, and without malice, simply agreed to disagree.”

  “Wonderful but why Plano?”

  “Scott said they have one of the best school districts for the boys and not far from where he works.”

  “Houses down here are going to be more expensive than in mining country, and college professors don’t earn huge sums.”

  “He’s been offered a position by some instruments company here in Dallas. They want him to research digital signal something or other. Scott asked my advice on whether he should take the job. He told me the kind of money they offered him. I didn’t believe it until he showed me the written offer. It included stock options as well.”

  “A good amount?”

  Donna picked up her tea, added sugar, swirled it, took a long drink then reached for the pitcher and while adding more tea, said with a grin, “You know I rarely use profanity but, when I saw the amount of money, the words, holy shit, fell out of my mouth.”

  The two women laughed.

  “The houses we inspected,” Donna continued, “more than adequate for our family, would have mortgage payments a fraction of his salary. Scott demonstrated we’d have money left over to set aside for the kid’s education and a nice retirement.”

  “He’s thinking of a future as a family…”

  “Don’t get me wrong. I’d like this guy money or no money, but…”

  “As my Great-Grandmother Rebecca said, it’s not that I want my children to be rich…but it would certainly help pay the bills.”

  Donna laughed. “That I can understand.”

  “Sounds like he’s willing to make a commitment to you and your boys.”

  “Even said he’d sell his little car. Get a family vehicle.”

  Rachel, astonishment in her voice, said, “Sell his beloved Corvette?”

  Donna nodded. “Also, Corey is bright as can be. He gave rapt attention to Scott when he was using a candle and two tennis balls to describe an eclipse plus planetary orbital motion. When Scott wrote down the equations of planetary motion, my younger son wanted to know how to use them and asked if he could keep the paper with the equations. Could be a good influence to have a man with a Ph.D. in physics in our home.”

  “I’d love to have you living nearby.”

  “Would make leaving mining country easier knowing I have a close friend a short drive away.”

  “Have you talked about having more children?”

  “He said he’d be happy with my two but, knowing we can afford to educate them, I’d like at least two more.”

  Rachel eyed Donna for a bit. “But you still seem hesitant.”

  “We both have demons. It will take time to destroy them, may not be able to destroy them but, please Lord at least adjust to them. That could be painful, a drain on each other’s emotions.”

  “Might be easier to manage those demons as a couple.”

  Donna giggled. “That’s what Scott said.”

  “Time to get the kids ready for the concert.”

  * * *

  On Sunday, the two families and Scott met Krista, Martin and his two girls, at the Dallas Zoo. After two hours of walking, including twenty minutes admiring and feeding the giraffes, they stopped for lunch at the Serengeti Grill. They ate at a large round table.

  Mitchel asked Scott. “You were in that war like my dad and Dr. Levin. Did it mess you up?”

  “Yes, but not as bad as your father.”

  “When you get upset because of the war,” Corey asked, “What do you do?”

  “Until I met your Mom, feel sad for lots of days.”

  “And now?” Mitchel asked.

  “I stay close to your mom, we talk, and she helps me get over the sadness.”

  Rachel raised an eyebrow at Donna who appeared pleased with his response.

  “Mom laughs a lot when you’re around,” Mitchel said, “but, you’re different from my Dad.”

  “Your father,” Scott said, “could drive a truck as big as a house. I couldn’t do that to save my life. Heck, I have trouble staying upright on a bicycle.”

  The younger ones laughed hysterically.

  “Can the kids lead around the next part of the zoo?” Seth asked.

  Brian looked at the adults who nodded. “As long as you stay together, I don’t see a problem.”

  The children were leading the way around the northern half of the zoo with the adults in a group not far behind.

  Krista said, “Friends, I need your help.”

  “Of course,” Rachel said, while Donna and Brian nodded.

  “I find myself in an uncomfortable position. As I spend more time with Martin and his girls, I find solace in my relationship with Martin, but his girls, have questions about girl things.”

  “You’re concerned because?” Brian asked.

  “All of my adult life, I’ve interfaced with soldiers; grown men and women. I’ve led them, trained them, repaired them, gave orders to them, laughed, cried, and mourned with them.” Krista took a deep breath, took a moment to consider her next statement, grinned and said, “Never once, did one of them ask how to talk to boys or explain why
boys are so mean.”

  The others joined her laughter.

  “On a more serious note, Michelle needs someone to explain about love and sex.”

  “Her father…” Donna suggested.

  Martin said, “I’ve asked Krista…I feel it will easier for the girls to hear from a woman.”

  “I have boys so it’s lessons from a different perspective for me,” Donna said.

  Krista said, “I’m most familiar with the physiological aspects but Michelle needs to learn about the emotional side, what she should expect from a partner. I know what I want from a partner but never put those needs into words.”

  They walked in silence for a bit then Krista continued. “I’m also concerned about the emotional damage their mother’s desertion may cause in the future. Like PTSD, in some cases not showing up for years. I need to prepare them for that possibility.” They stopped to admire a row of pink- topped pampas grass. “Ultimately, I’ll have to explain to them when casual sex is allowable. Inside me, I understand when I need a man. How do I get that across to a 13-year old?”

  “May I suggest, they don’t need all the information at once,” Brian said. “When a specific concern comes up, address it then.”

  “When they have confidence in the information you’re providing,” Rachel said, “I believe they’ll ask more questions.”

  * * *

  A week later and after Donna and her boys returned to Wyoming, a surprise visitor arrived at the front door of the Levin home.

  “Just in time for lunch, Cousin,” Rachel said to Arnie.

  He was all grins as he embraced Rachel who guided him out to the pool area.

  “Arnie? What the hell?” Brian said, climbing out of the pool and giving his buddy a wet handshake.

  “Rachel thought it would be fun to surprise you.”

  “Good to see you. Come. Sit by the pool. Have to keep an eye on Seth and his friends.”

  Rachel handed him a Nehi grape soda.

  “You remembered my favorite…thanks,” Arnie said with a giggle.

  “I saw the soda but didn’t imagine it was for you.” Brian said with a laugh then became serious. “Sad that Shira wants a divorce.”

  Arnie shrugged. “She’s happier without me so…we’re finishing the divorce paperwork and I’m moving on with my life. Rachel’s set up an interview for me at the Jewish Day School in Richardson.”

  “As?”

  “Education director.”

  “That’s only thirty minutes from here.”

  “Great opportunity if it happens.”

  “Where are you staying?”

  “Have a room near the airport paid for by the folks where I’ll be interviewing.”

  Rachel, setting up for lunch on the pool deck, heard a car arriving, glanced at it then called to her cousin. She waved him to her side. Together, they walked across the pool deck to greet the new arrival. “Chana Goldberg, this is my cousin Arnie Zalman.”

  “Pleased to meet you,” Arnie said, trying not to stare at her tall, thin, willowy figure.

  “Hello,” Chana said in a shy voice.

  Rachel told her cousin, “Chana is the director of pre-school education at our synagogue.” She guided them to the shaded table where lunch would be served.

  “Something to drink?” Brian asked. “Iced tea, soda?”

  “Iced tea would be fine,” Chana said.

  “Same for me,” Arnie said.

  Rachel called to Seth and his friends as lunch was ready.

  While they toweled off, Chana suggested she and Rachel take the children to the amusement park in Carrollton.

  As the children cheered, Arnie volunteered, “I’ll help.”

  Upon return, the children related their experiences at the park while the four adults prepared dinner.

  That evening, Arnie built a cozy fire in the family room fireplace where he and Chana continued conversing past midnight.

  The following day, Rachel said to Brian, “I invited Arnie out but he’s spending the day with Chana. They’re visiting the Botanic Garden in Dallas then attending a Ranger’s baseball game.”

  “The way they talked last night, they seemed comfortable with each other. I heard him telling her war stories; how he was injured.”

  “Please Lord, I pray they’ll be a successful couple. She’s dying for a family. Arnie is dying for children and hates living by himself.”

  “She’s a gentle soul and he’s a sensitive guy. Does he know about her miscarriage?”

  “I told him. I honestly believe it doesn’t matter to him. He’d gladly adopt, and since the group meetings, Chana said she’s more comfortable with what happened.”

  “She’s one caring lady. Hopefully, his war experience won’t upset her as it did Shira.”

  Rachel appraised him with a questioning expression. “You and Chana…”

  “Acquaintances, nothing more. Not my type. When I’d get upset, in other words, loud, she’d cringe, and try to find a place to hide.”

  * * *

  Late the following day, Rachel, looking concerned, talked to Brian after the children were asleep. “I had a discussion with the woman who took my place at pre-school today when I picked up Abbey. One of the boys has tendencies to bully the smaller boys and the girls. After one of Abbey’s friends was knocked to the floor, our daughter gathered four of her friends and, in the words of the substitute, they taught the bully a lesson he won’t soon forget. I’ve spoken to her but would appreciate if you did as well.”

  “Sure. I’ll talk to her.”

  “But first, get that proud-father grin, off your face.” Brian nodded but couldn’t contain his grin.

  “Another thing,” Rachel said. “Have a talk with Seth. He was with me when I picked up Abbey. When he learned what happened, his face appeared just like yours did when you had your discussion with Samuel. I had to grab and drag our son out of the room. If I wasn’t close enough to stop Seth, that bully would have suffered…” She put her hands on her hips. “Brian Levin, this is not funny. You must teach our son and daughter when violence is justified. Which means rarely!”

  “Okay, Okay. I’ll talk to both.”

  “Thank you. I’ve been meaning to ask, have you received another letter from Paul Slidell?”

  “Arrived yesterday. It’s on my desk.”

  * * *

  Dear Sgt. Levin,

  Hope you and the family are doing well. Nora and the kids are spending the day at a waterpark so I have time to get this story finished.

  Learned of James Ware’s passing. If you’re in touch with his family, tell them I said he was a good friend, a good soldier, and will be missed by all of us who knew him. When I’d remember him, I’d imagine James driving that huge truck…his ever-present grin warming all who knew him. Can’t imagine the depth of pain he suffered such that he took his own life. How are his family handling his death? I regularly say a prayer for him and his family…that they all find a sense of peace.

  Last thing I mentioned in my last letter was the Vietnam War messing with me again.

  It started in the middle of the week when we heard Candice’s mother was going to the hospital for surgery, would be at the hospital for a few days then bed-ridden at home for a few more. We decided it might be a good idea for my wife, with our son Kevin, to drive up to Shreveport to stay with her folks to help out during this time. After a quarter hour’s driving on the Interstate, a Vietnam veteran, high on heroin and according to his doctor, suffering from PTSD, collapsed at the wheel of his pickup truck. He drove across the median and slammed into Candice’s car. The doctor said she died instantly. My son wasn’t expected to live, having received a skull fracture and numerous broken bones. He was put into what they called a medically induced coma. I’m not sure why but you probably do.

  When I arrived at the hospital, the docs told me it was unlikely he’d survive the next twenty-four hours, but the little guy passed that mark then survived another day and another. After a number of days, h
is condition improved to the point where the doctors ended the induced coma.

  Remember that frumpy, chubby woman named Nora I told you about. She was living alone as her parents had passed. She called me the day after the accident, offered to come to Baton Rouge to stay with Betsy and take care of funeral arrangements while I stayed at the hospital with Kevin. I told her it would be a blessing…

  * * *

  “You have one tough son,” the doctor told Paul, two weeks after the accident. “He’s awake and alert. Ate a huge lunch. Another week or so and you’ll likely be able to take him home.”

  Paul tried to thank the doctors but couldn’t as sobs filled his throat. After regaining his composure, he called home to tell Betsy and Nora.

  When he returned to the house for a shower and a change of clothes, the frumpy lady offered to stay with Paul until Kevin came home and afterward remain to help Kevin with his daily physical therapy.

  “That would be most kind of you, Nora,” Paul told her with a brief embrace. He noted her choice in clothing had changed, actually appeared stylish.

  Nora stayed in the guest room. After Paul brought Kevin home, the adults would find a sitter and go to a movie or dinner on Saturday night. She got up every morning to exercise with Paul then both prepared breakfast for the children followed by physical therapy for Kevin. When he decided to begin running, Nora did that as well. Like a key in a lock, Nora fit into their lives.

  Six months after Candice’s death, Paul drove past a park near his home. A woman played with two children. He was admiring the woman’s lovely body then needed to jerk the steering wheel to avoid driving over the curb because he realized he was staring at…Nora. Paul performed a rapid U- turn, stopped in a parking space near them. As he walked over, he remembered the first time he saw her. “Frumpy and chubby, no longer,” he mumbled as he admired her curves.