“Okay and…?”
“Hawk. It is a political nut-roll right now. The Iraqi Prime Minister was just fired last month and replaced by a new president. Our administration supports the change.”
“Sounds a lot like how Vietnam started.”
Carter glared at him without saying anything regarding the remark. After a brief pause, he continued. “The president is warning of a lengthy bombing campaign in northern Iraq since our strikes against artillery positions and armored trucks belonging to ISIS have slowed them down.”
“Slowed them down?”
“We believe that the Kurds can hold them off, but not by themselves. Look, after the rampage against Yazidi civilians, primarily women and children, the world is standing united against these villains.”
“Evil villains. I saw the pictures.”
“Try to get home early so you can spend some time with the family.”
Ron looked at Walker. “Let's get going.”
They were heading for the door when Colonel Carter called his name. “Hawk. Hold off a minute.” Then, looking at Sergeant First Class Walker, he added, “He'll catch up.”
Walker went on down the hall, leaving Ron with Carter. “Hawk. I would have understood completely if you had decided to turn this one down. However, I really am glad that you are going to see this thing get kicked off. The head shed wants someone with experience to establish contact with the Kurdish rebel forces in Irbil and then Kirkuk.
“I fully understand, sir.”
“The Kurds are good fighters. Once you have set the stage, Walker will take over and you can come on home.”
“Walker will do fine. In fact, sir, if you don't mind me asking, is there a particular reason why I must go along with him since he's quite capable?”
“No, you can't ask. However, I will tell you anyway. Your name was specifically requested from higher.”
“Do you know why?”
“I was only told that you will find out when you arrive in Iraq.”
“Thanks, sir.”
“Don't mention it. And Hawk?”
“Yes sir?”
“I believe in you. Take care of business and come back home.”
“Yes sir, that's the plan.”
“I'll see you at the tarmac Tuesday morning.”
“Later, sir.”
Carter watched Ron depart his office. He was not sure why Ron was specifically selected to lead this mission, especially since he was so close to taking the staff position at CENTCOM in Tampa, Florida. He did not like it. Ron had voiced what he was thinking, that Walker was quite capable of leading this mission without his senior NCO tagging along, a soldier who did more than his time in hostile territory. Carter did not know the reasons but, by God, I am a Colonel and I'm going to find out today, Carter decided as Ron disappeared down the hallway.
Ron, after a full day of catching up with the logistical and medical requirements, wanted to get home and spend more time with his family. Stopping at Colonel Carter's door before leaving, he wondered why his boss wanted to speak with him before going home.
“Come in, Hawk.” Carter said firmly.
“Everything okay, sir?”
“No, not really. Sit down. Please.”
Ron, puzzled, complied quickly. “What's up, sir?”
“I did some poking and digging around. Take a look at this.” Carter handed a folder across his desk to Ron who seized and opened it in one sweeping motion.
Ron looked at the Colonel. “Are you sure about this? Sheik Abdullah Shokar?”
“Yes, positive. His son, Hassan, hand delivered this information to one of our liaisons who fast-tracked it up the intelligence chain.”
“CIA?”
“Doesn't matter. The photos are of you with his family. I was hesitant about the whole thing when I found out about it but this request has reached the top levels at CENTCOM, and beyond I'm afraid.”
“So, this mission is no longer just a request, is it?”
“Afraid not.”
Ron removed a brown-stained envelop from the packet and saw that it was not sealed. Looking inside, he removed a photo, holding it a few seconds, mulling over it, and finally allowing a smile cross his troubled face.
“Hawk?”
“Sorry sir.” Ron handed the photo to Carter. It was an image of Sheik Abdullah's five-year-old daughter, Mariam. A neatly wrapped bandage circled her leg as Ron carried her towards her family. Ron had just finished treating her shrapnel wounds sustained from a car bomb. During the process of his care for the Sheiks daughter over the next few weeks, Ron had won the hearts, minds, and cooperation of Sheik Abdullah's, AlbuNimr tribe.
After glancing at it, Carter smiled as well. “I remember this. Taken the week before we left and she insisted on you picking her up for the snapshot.”
“Yes sir, she was scared to death of me in the beginning but then followed me like a shadow.”
Carter chuckled. “Didn't you even call her shadow?”
Ron smiled. “Yes sir, believe I did.”
“Hawk, the letter. Read it. Then you'll understand.”
Ron took the packet and letter over to the table at the end of Carter's office. Pulling out his pocket English-Arabic dictionary and a little notepad filled with Arabic phrases, Ron began the task of translating Abdulla's letter.
My dear friend, Hawk. How is your family? I remember your beautiful pictures. Some of my family is doing well, others bad. Mariam is fine and she asks about you. She wants me to tell you hi. She says you call her shadow. This reason I write you and ask for you only. Our tribe made alliances with the group you call ISIS. We thought it a good idea at the time. Their leaders rely on my position and influence. The Shi'a led government from Baghdad is not for us anymore so ISIS helps. My friend, I do not like the ways of ISIS but I must be with them for now. Already, you may remember my oldest daughter, Samya. She has been given to an ISIS commander as a wife. Now, I fear for her life. She wants to come home. Commander Hawk. Please. Mariam is also pledged to marry an ISIS commander. I remember when you told me that you saved your own wife in such a way in Afghanistan. How you rescued her from the Taliban. ISIS is worse. Please, can you come, save Mariam the same way, and take her to America where she can be free? There is no life for her here. Other ISIS men always watch her but I keep her with me for now. I will pray to Allah for your decision.
Ron could hardly fathom what he was reading. Abdullah wants me to come to Fallujah? The heart of ISIS territory? Visibly troubled, he looked at the picture of Mariam again. She must be about thirteen now.
“Command kept the intelligence. However, they are expecting more. The Sheik has offered a strategic plan for attacks against Baghdad.”
“So, there's more to this story.”
“Indeed. Thus the order rather than the request. We get the intelligence; he gets his daughter to paradise. And you, my good friend, are the chosen one to deliver her freedom.”
“And the truth shall set you free.” Ron mumbled.
“What was that?”
“Nothing sir.”
“You better get going. By the way, I wasn't going to tell you until Tuesday morning but, Chris is going with you.”
“What? Sir, why do…”
Carter interrupted him. “Put it this way. I feel better about both of you going than just one of you. You will have each other's six. Come on, get going. I'm sure your lovely wife is waiting for you.”
“Yes sir. I-“
“Hawk, I'll see you Tuesday.”
Ron started to walk out of the office, holding the packet under his arm.
“I'll take that. You keep the picture.”
Ron handed him the packet and removed the photo. “Thanks, sir.”
“Don't mention it.”
4
September 2, 2014
Ron and Sarah both decided that the last full day prior to his deployment would be spent during a family picnic with lots of interactive fun at the park. He wanted to cherish every
last moment he could spend together with them before his departure.
The whole family, including Farsi, piled into their metallic blue, 2010 Toyota Highlander Sport, and departed their Fields of Northmeade neighborhood in Clarksville. Ron glanced at his rear view mirror to see their two-story, two-car garage, brick house with a spacious front porch displayed nicely on Bruceton Drive. Ron and Sarah were able to afford this brand new home once it was built in 2009 after she started practicing as a full time Physician Assistant. They were also able to make a large down payment only after Sarah's father insisted on a hefty contribution despite Ron's objections and her reluctance.
After merging onto Interstate 24, they had just over an hour trip to southwest Nashville. The bright sun shining, the air warm, the day was simply gorgeous and there was no rain in the forecast. Ron wanted to embrace and savor everything, the ride, the kids chatter, music, Sarah's smiling face.
Yes! She's wearing those shorts, Ron thought while stealing a glance at Sarah's legs. Then he gently placed his hand on her thigh, resting it there. “You have beautiful legs, princess.”
“Only my legs?” Sarah asked while laying her hand on top, interlacing her fingers between his.
Ron laughed. “Not hardly. Sorry. You're beautiful everywhere.”
Sarah smiled and said, “Thank you.”
Asha tapped him on the shoulder, leaned forward, and said, “You scored points for that one, Dad.”
Ron chuckled. “You're beautiful like your mother and you'll have a special person appreciate you the same way…”
“After she's married.” Sarah interrupted.
“Yes, of course, I was about to include-”
“When I get married? When can I?”
“Umm, probably when you turn thirty.”
“Dad!”
Sarah laughed. “Really? I was only twenty when you married me.”
“That was different.”
“How so?”
“Yeah, how come?” Asha added.
Before he could answer, Sarah interjected, “Your father's right. Don't argue with him,” she said smiling.
“Really?” Asha said sarcastically, realizing her mom suddenly sided with her dad. “Well, age doesn't matter anyway if you find a prince like dad, right mom?”
“Um, you may have just scored points with your dad.”
The three of them laughed together.
Every family member had their own agenda and wanted Ron to be a part of it. Sarah needed him to grill hamburgers, Asha wanted to roller-blade with him, while Seth wanted a tackle football game. Caleb had no preference on activity but did tell Ron that he wanted time to talk to him, alone. He agreed to all of the requests.
The night before, Ron laid out the plan. “So, have we decided on The Warner Parks or Centennial Park?”
Centennial Park, two miles west of downtown Nashville, Tennessee, was near the Vanderbilt University campus. Known as the west end, it was popular to young professionals and had witnessed tremendous growth in recent years.
“Yeah, let's go to Centennial Park!” Seth shouted.
“I like that one too,” Caleb interjected. “I can take some cool pictures there.”
“Me too.” Asha echoed.
Sarah preferred the trails at Percy Warner Park, but she was content with the consensus.
Sounding like the mission planner, Ron said, “We'll sleep in, pack up after breakfast, drive down to Centennial, and then roller blade around the lake. After a lap or two, I'll start the burgers; we'll eat, and then play a good game of tackle football.”
“Sounds like…” Sarah began.
“I don't wanna play tackle football,” Caleb griped.
“Well…” Ron started.
“You big sissy,” Seth interjected.
Caleb started for Seth. “Hey, hey, hey, come on guys.” Ron stepped in between them. “Remember the rules. Everybody gets to do something that we all want to do. You can be on my team, Caleb. We'll beat mom, Asha, and Seth.”
“Yeah, right, “Asha added.
Seth started laughing. “We'll spank you guys!”
Sarah watched and smiled. Ron taught her to play football years ago and discovered that she could hold her own with the big boys. “We'll find out tomorrow, won't we?” Ron chided.
“Hey dad, can we bring our skate boards?” Caleb asked.
“Yeah!” Seth added.
“Sure, why not?”
Ron had the radio tuned to a local station playing eighties music. The song by Tears for Fears-Everybody wants to rule the world-was playing. Ron sang along.
“It's my own design. It's my own remorse. Help me to decide. Help me make the…”
“Dad, please,” Asha said.
“What? You don't like my singing?”
“Ummm, I prefer hearing them sing, that's all.”
“Good answer,” Sarah added.
“”Et tu, Brute!"
“Dad, why does everybody want to rule the world anyway?” Caleb asked.
“Because nobody wants to be at the bottom. Bad things happen to people who can't help themselves at the bottom, so if they reach the top, they won't have to suffer anymore.”
“Interesting.” Sarah remarked.
Ron contained himself on the next song belting from the radio, Save a Prayer, by Duran Duran, until the lyrics came to, “If you can you'll see the world in all his fire. Take a chance like all dreamers…”
“Dad!”
“Sorry.”
One hour and ten minutes later, they arrived at Centennial Park where there were plenty of spots open to unload their food and recreational supplies. Then, Ron and Asha began putting on their roller blades and lacing them. Caleb and Seth, kneepads in place, held their skateboards.
“Why aren't you putting on your blades, princess?” Ron asked.
“Somebody needs to watch the things here. Besides, you go so the kids can have time with you.”
“We don't have anything here worth taking. Our valuables are locked in the car. Come on, I want you to join us.”
“Yeah, mom.” Asha added.
“Okay,” Sarah said with a smile after looking around at the food items.
She looked at Ron who was gazing at her. He knew what was troubling her; thankful the whole truth about the mission had not been revealed. Ron felt uneasy but knew he could not say anything to his family.
“Besides,” Sarah continued, “we want dad to feel very happy before he leaves, so let's make this his day.”
Sarah finished lacing her skates, grabbed the leash, and took off like a jet. Farsi was tagging along right behind her. Calling back over her shoulder at the rest, she yelled, “What are you all waiting for?”
“Come on guys, you gonna let mom beat you?” Ron prompted as he took off next. The other three were right behind him, Asha and Seth racing to get in front of the other, both leaving Caleb behind. “Come on, Caleb,” Ron yelled back.
“I'm coming!”
The five, along with Farsi, enjoyed skating, and they took their time enjoying the activity, stopping along the way a couple of times for various reasons. Seth, at full throttle, kept moving ahead of the pack, often carelessly, nearly running into other people on several occasions. Sarah always apologized for him whenever they passed her with a scornful look. She, Ron, and Asha took turns hauling Farsi around.
As planned, when finished with one lap around the park, Ron grilled the burgers. There was plenty of side items, a variety of chips, salads, and condiments, along with a couple dessert choices. The cooler was full of water, juices and sodas.
“Man, I had so much food, maybe we should rest first before playing football.”
“CHICKEN!” Seth yelled at his dad. “You just don't want me, Asha, and mom to whip your…”
Before he could finish, Sarah yelled, “SETH!”
Asha tried not to giggle behind her.
“Yeah, where did you learn to talk like that, boy?” Ron said firmly.
Seth looked embarras
sed.
“Come on, you guys go down there and kick off to us.” Ron said.
“Why are we kicking to you?” Sarah asked.
“Because you outnumber us.”
“Come on mom, we'll still beat them.” Seth added.
Asha kicked the football, further than Ron thought she could and had to run back to retrieve it. “Give it to me, dad!”
Ron handed the ball off to Caleb and started blocking for him, easily taking out the first one going for the tackle, Seth, who went flying to the ground. Seth sat there a minute without saying anything, then got up, brushed himself off, and walked back towards Sarah and Asha, who together had successfully tackled Caleb.
Sarah started towards Seth but he added some pep into his step and declared, “I'm alright mom.”
“Kind of hard on him, weren't you?” Sarah retorted while giving Ron a sneer.
“Hey, come on. He's fine.”
Ron let up for the next several set of downs until Caleb said in exasperation, “Dad, you stopped trying and now we're losing.”
“Yeah dad, play harder,” Seth added. “You didn't hurt me.”
“It was part of the strategy, dad,” Asha said. “Mom just wanted to make you feel guilty so you would let up.”
“Shhh.” Sarah had her finger over her smiling lips.
“Oh, is that so? Come on, Caleb. We have a touchdown to score.”
“Now you're talking!”
After Ron handed the ball off to Caleb, he ran straight for Sarah and rather than shove her aside with a block, he tackled her.
“HEYYY! THAT'S HOLDING!”
“Yeah dad.” Asha agreed as she jumped on Ron's back.
“Piggy pile! Seth yelled as he ran to join the fray after tackling Caleb near the end zone.
Caleb dropped the ball and ran for the growing pile himself.
The football game slowly turned into a rugby match, causing Farsi to bark his disapproval. When the laughter subsided, the Hawkins family sat around in the grass, leaning back on their arms, lying on their sides, and whatever other relaxing position they found themselves in the moment, taking in the gorgeous day with full laughter.
Love In The House Of War Page 14