“She just threw herself against the car man, did you see that?” Jared called out, disbelieving what just happened as well, leaning over Francine.
Francine was still mumbling incoherently. “Derrie,” Francine breathed, “…the babies…Magnet and Steele…Derrie…”
“Derrie?” Chris repeated out loud.
“She said Derrie…who’s Derrie?”
“Derrie, that’s dad,” Chris said matter-of-factly. “I haven’t heard that name since grandpa…” Chris then looked back at his dad and motioned for him to roll down his window. The older man hesitated but then pulled in closer…it was Derrie.
Derrie rolled down his window and the two men helped Francine get up to her feet. A little woozy, Francine reached the SUV and stood just outside the door, out of breath, unclear.
Chris positioned himself by his father who peered out of the window. “Dad?” He asked delicately, “Do you know this woman?”
“Chris,” Jared chimed in, “Your dad doesn’t even know you.”
Derrie and Francine’s eyes meet.
Tears swarm hers instantly.
“…Yes, I know her,” Derrie said aloud, still staring into Francine’s tear-filled eyes.
The two men help Derrie back out of the SUV, but Derrie needs help from a cane, he’s missing a leg.
Derrie held onto his son’s helpful arm and continued to stare into the woman’s eyes.
“Francine Steele,” Derrie let go, smiling.
“Derek Magnet,” Francine responded, grinning herself.
Chris and his buddy both look at each other in amazement, practically in their own tears.
Tears of joy flow down Francine’s face while a smile long is shown clearly on Derrie’s. They come together in unison and embrace as Francine buried her face inside his shoulder. Derrie released his son’s arm and then gripped Francine’s body tight, both of them holding onto each other per sempre…
Forever.
Special Thanks
I want to write something heart-felt and say that I am eternally grateful, but the Vietnam War happened when I was born. I’m trying to understand why we were there, as probably you do when any war occurs and the U.S. of A. is involved. And with the exception of the draft, it seems oddly familiar with the war in Iraq.
This is what I do know: The Vietnam war cost the lives of more than 58,000 Americans with more than 153,000 seriously wounded. One million Vietnamese combatants and four million civilians were also killed. The number of Vietnamese wounded is still unknown.
Vietnam veterans account for more than one-third of all U.S. veterans and are the largest living group of living veterans from America’s wars.
And for all the fathers, brothers, uncles, husbands, wives, nieces, nephews, cousins, sons, daughters and friends that were both enlisted and drafted for the Vietnam War, I say thank you for standing for what you believed in and for fighting for America’s freedom.
God Bless America…
Trish
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Magnet & Steele Page 19