Seth yelled, “What is it dad?”
“Shhh, he'll tell us.” Asha answered while Sarah gave Ron a puzzled look.
After everyone was seated, Ron pulled up a stool in front of them. “Um, there's a reason why I'm back so early. My last mission was Top Secret…”
“Top Secret!” Seth exclaimed.
“Yes, anyway, I could not say anything until it was over.”
Sarah looked uneasy but decided to hold her tongue until they went to bed together.
“I was sent to rescue a thirteen year-old girl who was the daughter of a prominent Sheik in Fallujah.”
“What's prommmint?” Seth asked.
“Somebody very important.” Caleb answered proudly.
“Anyway, I promised the Sheik and his wife I would take good care of their daughter, Mariam.”
“She'll live with us?” Asha asked incredulously.
Sarah placed her hand on Asha's knee.
“Well, yes…if it's okay with everybody. I mean…”
“Another sister?” Seth interrupted.
“How long would this be?” Caleb asked.
Ron looked at Sarah. “As long as you all, this family, will accept her.”
Sarah broke her silence. “We should be happy to accept a child, boy or girl, who is faced with danger and has left her home country to seek refuge. There is no better place in America for her to feel like she belongs than right here, with us.”
“Where will she sleep?” Asha asked.
“I'll convert my man cave into a girl's room.”
“Dad, she might feel all alone down here. She can sleep in my room with me if she is comfortable with this idea.”
Ron looked Asha in the eyes. “That's very sweet of you, darling. I'll speak with her about this idea.”
“When will she come here?” Sarah asked.
“I believe she'll come home with me Monday.”
“Where is she now?”
“Colonel Carter said she was with some…”
“Strangers.” Sarah interjected. “Ron, we need to get her tomorrow morning, first thing, if we can.”
“Okay, I'll look into it. Caleb? You seem awful quiet. Your thoughts?”
Caleb shrugged his shoulders. “It's okay, I guess.”
“Just okay?”
“Maybe.”
Ron started to speak until Sarah shook her head. “We can talk about this more later. Why not we all get to bed? Your father looks very sleepy.”
“Aw, can dad sleep in my room? On the floor?” Seth asked.
“Tell you what; let's plan an indoor camp out next week. We'll set up tents in the den, watch TV late, and eat popcorn…”
“Yeah!”
“Okay, come on everybody, to bed.”
“Good night, dad. I'm so happy your home.” Asha said while getting up to give him a kiss goodnight. Seth followed and held out his hand for a high five, which Ron obliged.
Caleb started to walk off before Ron jumped up to grab him. “Son, wait a minute. I have something to tell you.”
Caleb did not look up. “What, dad?”
Ron pulled out the poem he gave his father before he departed. “Do you remember this?”
“Yes sir.”
“I read this every day. Your words motivated me and helped me remember who I was and what I do, and why I do it.”
Caleb looked up at him, beginning to perk up with a little smile.
“This girl, Mariam, she was in a lot of trouble. As your mother said, there probably is no better place for her to escape than to come right here. You know why?”
Caleb shrugged his shoulders.
“Because our house is filled with the absolute best kids in the world; you, Asha, and Seth. I would not trade any of you for anything on earth. That's the truth.”
Caleb gave Ron a hug. “I love you dad. I missed you. I'll be a good brother.”
“I have no doubt about it. I love you too, Caleb. I really missed you also.”
“Goodnight dad.”
“Goodnight, son.”
Ron and Sarah finally settled into bed and cuddled together. “I'm so happy you're home again! I held onto your pillow every night, falling asleep to your aroma. Often times, I did so with tears.”
“You were crying? I'm so sorry, baby.”
“I– and Asha–went to the prayer room one night to pray for you. I had a horrible nightmare about you with those evil men. Can you tell me if this happened to you?”
“I'd rather talk about something else, something more pleasant, you know, like being here with you.”
“Please tell me if you were in danger. If something bad was going to happen to you.”
“I—I, yes, it is true. I feared I would never see you again.”
“Oh, Ron.” Sarah began to weep.
Ron held her tightly. “Princess, please. I'm here now.”
“You faced evil again, didn't you?”
Ron remained silent.
“I know you did. Ron, no more of this please. No more.”
Ron placed his hands on her head and lifted it up until her eyes met his. “Sarah, my princess, I promise, never again. We are moving to Tampa, remember? No more of this kind of stuff ever again.”
Sarah gazed into his eyes and broke into a broad grin. “You promise me?”
“Of course!”
She planted her lips onto his for a nice long kiss goodnight.
* * *
Ron was able to talk Colonel Carter into releasing Mariam from the 636th MI to his custody with the promise she would be brought back to them Monday morning. He waited until after church to pick her up, allowing time for Sarah and the kids prepare for her arrival at home.
When Mariam was brought to Ron, she ran towards him and wrapped herself around his waist. “Commander Hawk! I fear you leave me.”
“Oh Shadow. I would never leave you. I promised your parents I would take good care of you.”
“But you went away and I did not see you.”
“I know, I know. I am sorry for this. Come now. I will take you to my home and you can meet my family…your new family.”
Mariam smiled nervously. “I'm afraid.”
“It will be fine, Mariam. You will see. My daughter, Asha, is about your age. She will be twelve this month.”
“I will be happy to meet her.”
“Come on, we have a feast waiting for you at home.”
“For me?”
“Eee, akeed!
When Ron brought a nervous Mariam to his front door, she wore a new pair of blue jeans, sandals, a pink and green Hijab covering her head, and a royal blue rayon tunic with four buttons on the chest and two side pockets. Sarah had Farsi in his doghouse out back so there was no barking to startle her. Ron walked in ahead of Mariam.
“I'm home everyone.”
“Come on!” Sarah said. She made her way to the living room, Asha, Caleb, and Seth, tagging behind.
Stepping to the side, Ron announced, “This is Mariam.”
Sarah stepped forward towards her with a broad smile. “Asalamu alakuum.”
Mariam responded with a smile. “Walakuum alsalam.”
Asha stepped forward, repeated her mother's words, and added, “Ani Asha.”
Caleb approached shyly and repeated the greeting in quick fashion.
Seth walked up to her and said. “You're pretty! I'm Seth.”
Mariam looked a bit confused and looked over at Ron. “He said you were Jamila.”
“Oh, shukran.” Mariam giggled.
Sarah added, “Ghada hasna' wasiyma.” For emphasis.
“Shukran, anti latifaton jiddan!”
“What did she say, mom?” Seth asked.
“She said, thank you, you are too kind.” Asha answered quickly before her mother could respond.
“She's right.” Ron added. Let's go eat. Turning to Mariam he asked, “Joo-Aaaneh?
Mariam smiled, “Eeee.”
Before Seth could ask another question, Asha blurted
, “I'm hungry too. Let's eat!
After a large dinner, Asha led Mariam up to her room since Mariam expressed her desire to be with her rather than by herself, away from the others. During the ensuing days and weeks, many transitional moments transpired, some dealing with language barriers while others associated with cultural differences regarding the bathroom and other social activities. It took some time, but Mariam grew accustomed to Farsi and Persia, the house pets. She was more fond of the cat than the dog.
Mariam had been accepted into Clarksville Academy with a full scholarship sponsored by the DOD. She was grasping the English language quickly with the help of a tutor along with Asha's limited knowledge of translating Arabic into English.
Mariam felt she belonged, as part of the family, especially after she returned home from school one day and Ron gathered the whole family together in the living room. “I have some very bad news, Shadow.” He began. “ISIS militants have killed twenty-five members from your Albu nimr tribe.”
Mariam looked horrified. “My family?”
“One of those killed was your brother, Hassan.”
She wailed with a shriek, broke down and sobbed. Sarah rushed over to her and held her. Asha followed her and hugged her as well. All three began to cry. Ron looked over at Caleb and Seth who sat mummified, not knowing how to respond.
“Dad, will she be okay?” Caleb asked innocently.”
“She will, but these kind of things take time to deal with and she probably feels all alone…that she should be there with her family now.”
Ron walked over to the three girls. “Shadow, your mother and father are safe. Grieving, like you. But safe.”
She looked up at Ron and shook her head in acknowledgement. Trying to hold back the tears, she looked at Sarah. “I'm so sorry…”
“No, no, there is no reason to be sorry. We are here for you and you can grieve all you want.
Mariam shook her head again. “Thank you. Mrs. Hawk, can we go to the prayer room together?'
“Yes, of course.”
Looking at Asha, Mariam said, “You come too, ukhti.”
The three women moved to the prayer room together. “Dad, do you ever go in there?” Caleb asked.
“Yes, often. Your mother and I go in there to pray together often. Would you and Seth like to join me there when I go the next time?”
“Sure.” Caleb answered.
“Seth?”
“Okay.”
“Tonight, before bed time.”
“Alright.”
17
Ron took advantage of a beautiful sunny day to mow the lawn. Since returning from his last mission, he kept busy with a variety of family activities involving Sarah, Asha, Caleb, Seth, and now Mariam. Making the most of his final days in the field, Colonel Carter assured him there would be no other, “last minute missions” before he was able to officially take on a desk job in Tampa.
Noticing Sarah approaching him with a large glass of sweet tea, he stopped and turned off the mower. “Well, thank you babe.” He started towards her to give her a kiss but she stepped back.
“Later. You're all sweaty.”
Ron pretended to embrace her with a bear hug.
“Stop!”
“What's the matter?”
“You had a phone call from Colonel Carter. He wants you to call him back, immediately.”
“Oh, princess, I'm sure it's…”
Sarah held her hand up. “Ron, I don't want to do this again…not so close to us moving away from this.”
Ron looked at her intently. “And it won't. Trust me. I will not go again.”
Sarah looked at him nervously. “What do you think he wants?”
“I don't know, but I'm going to find out in a few minutes. I'm almost done here.”
Sarah nodded, took the empty cup from his hand and turned to walk away.
“Princess!”
She stopped to look.
“I love you. Please do not worry. I'm not going anywhere.”
She smiled faintly and walked back to the house, leaving Ron standing alone. Before starting the mower, Ron reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. Then he punched in the numbers to Colonel Carter's phone and waited while it beeped.
“Colonel Carter.”
“No sir, not this time. No more missions.”
“Whoa, Hawk? Listen; please assure your lovely wife this has nothing to do with any missions. I hope I didn't come across that way.”
“Well, you know nervous she becomes whenever she hears from you.”
“Yeah, I'll have to work on that. Listen, its First Sergeant Talbot.”
“Top? What's wrong?”
“I just got off the phone with him. He is not doing well. I thought I would let you know. I'm going to try and see him next week if I can manage it.”
“What's wrong with him, sir? Did he say?”
“I'll let him tell you, Hawk. He said he was going to call you later today.”
“Okay, thank you, sir. I appreciate you letting me know.”
“Not a problem. I know you two were close. Please tell Sarah not to worry, will ya?”
Ron chuckled. “I'll tell her sir, but I don't think she'll be convinced until it actually happens.”
“Hang in there. Less than two months away.”
“Yes sir.”
Ron looked at the lawn mower and decided to leave it sit. Heading back to the house he called out, “Asha, Caleb! Anybody hear me?”
Sarah appeared suddenly. “What is it?”
“Hey princess, I just spoke with Colonel Carter and the call has nothing to do with any missions. It was about First Sergeant Talbot.”
Sarah looked relieved, as if she had just dropped a hundred pound weight from her shoulders. “What's wrong with him?”
“I don't know yet but he's not doing well. He's supposed to call me later but if I don't hear from him soon, I'll call.”
Caleb appeared as he spoke. “Yes dad?”
“Hey, are you doing anything?”
“Like what?”
“That's what I'm asking you.”
“Not really.”
“Good, can you finish the lawn for me, I'm almost done.”
Caleb just looked at him, not able to come up with a valid excuse he had not tried in the past. “Sure dad.”
“Thanks son.” Ron reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled up five dollar bill. “This is for you.”
“Thanks dad!” Caleb ran out to the mower and started it right up.
“That was generous of you.” Sarah remarked with a smile.
“It's only a buck.”
Sarah laughed. “Really? You didn't see Lincoln's face on the bill?”
“Wait, what? Caleb!”
Sarah put her hand over his mouth. “Too late, buddy. Finders keepers.”
Ron grabbed her wrist. “I gottcha now. He started to embrace her as she screamed and struggled free from his grasp.
“I told you, later, sweat-man!”
Ron laughed heartily as he headed upstairs to clean up. Mowing the lawn was his cool down after a five-kilometer run. Now he really wanted to cool down. As he began removing his clothes, his cell phone rang.
“Hello?”
Ron did not recognize the raspy voice at the other end. “Hawk?”
“Yes, this is Ron Hawkins.”
Ron heard a wheezing cough. “Talbot here.” More coughing. “Your old top.”
“First Sergeant Talbot! I am glad you called. Colonel Carter told me you would.”
In between Talbot's hacking, he managed to get a few sentences out. “He didn't say anything to you, did he?'
“No, said you would tell me.”
“Well, I'm dying. I may have another week or so.”
Ron was shocked. “Dying? How? Why?”
“Ahh, smoking too much, I guess. Mix that with drinking, and waa laa, a potent mix.”
“But top, lots of people smoke and drink. You're not that old.”
“Yeah, I know. Probably in my genes. Anyway, I wanted you to know because I always liked you, ya know. You were like a son to me.”
“Top, can I come see you? You're not that far from here.”
“Naw, don't worry about it. You don't want to see me anyways. I look terrible.”
“I'm coming up.”
“Well, if you do, bring the pretty young lady with you so I can see her one more time.”
“Alright, I will.”
“Gotta go.”
Ron heard more hacking in the background. “Okay, top. I'll see you soon.”
There was silence on the other end.
Ron quickly took a shower, got dressed and went downstairs to find Sarah. “Hey princess. We need to go see First Sergeant Talbot, today. The kids can go to church with the Shorts tomorrow.”
“But Ron, today? Just like that?”
“He's dying, babe. He may not live another day.”
She studied his expression. “Of course, darling. I'll call Carole and ask her if she can watch the kids for…”
“Tonight and tomorrow afternoon, only. I will get you back tomorrow evening.
“Okay, I'll call her now.”
“Thanks.”
Ron and Sarah drove along Interstate 40 E for a five and a half hour journey to Elizabethton, Tennessee. He discovered after talking to Talbot's wife, Charlene, the First Sergeant had been living at the VA in Johnson City for more than a year. She found him passed out on the living room floor one night, surrounded by nearly a dozen beer bottles and cigarette butts.
“I hope I'm not too late. I really need to talk to him. I-I never knew he had PTSD so severely.”
Sarah placed her hand on his and watched him. “You have been checked for this, yes?”
“No. No, I have not. I'm fine.”
“Hawk. Please. For the children's sake, if not for mine, please get checked for this.”
Ron looked at her and nodded his head. “Okay, I will.”
“When?”
“Soon.”
Sarah started to press the issue but sensed that Ron was becoming agitated. Changing the subject, Sarah asked, “Your mother was happy to hear we will stay with her tonight?”
“Until she found out none of the kids were coming.” Ron smirked. “Just kidding. She's always happy to see her boy!”
Their SUV pulled into the split-leveled home just outside of Elizabethton around nine-thirty in the evening. Charlene came outside to greet them, along with her German shepherd, Max. A man Ron did not recognize tagged along behind her. Sarah noticed the surprised frown on her husband's face. “I'm sorry to hear about First Sergeant Talbot. I always enjoyed his company.”
Love In The House Of War Page 24