Notifications III

Good morning and welcome to Monday Blogs. This month, our theme is military novels. We’re talking about service to our country and the ultimate price some pay today. All of the stories are fictional but in some ways they will seem very real to some readers. As a military veteran married to another veteran, I know the pain and anguish suffered by those left behind. My heart goes out to every family experiencing this pain.
They survived McCarthyism. They made it through the trials and tribulations of their son and daughter bickering all the time in order to see which of them would get something first. James and Anne Montrose proudly sent their boy to Korea when his country called him to duty. Their daughter volunteers at a local rehabilitation hospital as part of her training to be a nurse. She doesn’t talk much about what she sees, but she has decided to complete her nurse’s training as soon as the war ends. It’s 1952. The action in Korea began in June of 1950 and appears that it won’t end for a very long time. Auf Weiderseh’n Sweetheartby Vera Lynn plays on a radio, the volume turned up high from the neighbors across the street.
She was making supper, a meal her husband and daughter never missed. It wasn’t much, just a roast with mashed potatoes and new peas from their garden. For certain, she’d put some biscuits in the oven and perhaps make up a peach cobbler for dessert. The only thing she wished was that their son was here to enjoy the bounty of their gardens and trees.
“Hey, I’m home.” Her husband walked into the kitchen. “Smells wonderful, as always, Anne.”She glowed with pride. When they were first married, her cooking skills weren’t up to par. She’d wanted to enjoy her life, not become a wife and mother. Yet, this wonderful man convinced her that she could practice on him, so she’d be wonderful when their children came around.
“It’s nearly done.” She busied herself mashing the potatoes. “Is Ellen home yet? I didn’t hear her come in.”
“I thought I saw her down the street, talking to that Abrams boy.” James shook his head. “Pity he was 4F. Folks around here say he could have hidden that limp he got from his busted leg if he tried a bit harder.”
“Pshaw.” She put the bowl of potatoes on the table and checked the roast; it was nearly done resting. “Why just looking at him you’d know he broke his leg badly. It’s nearly an inch shorter than the other one.”
A car stopped outside their house at the same moment the front door opened.
“Daddy,” Ellen called. “There’s a car stopping. It says United States Marine Corps on the door.”Fear clutched Anne’s heart. She’d heard whispers of what this particular car means. Untying her apron, she handed it to Ellen.
“Put the food on the table,” Anne said. “I’ll be with your father.”
The knock on the door drove her fear to heights she’d never before experienced. James pulled her to his side and opened the door. Two men in Marine Corps uniforms faced them.
“Ma’am.” The older man tipped his hat. “Sir.” He faced her husband. “We’re sorry to inform you that your son, Ethan Montrose, was killed in action.”
This man may have said more. Anne stopped listening. Tears ran down her face in a river. Ethan was her first born. He’d survived so many childhood escapades that she’d once told him he was invincible.
The men from the Marine Corps said their goodbyes and left. Anne walked woodenly into the kitchen, noticing her daughter held a dish towel over her face. The food remained on the table for hours before they stopped crying and thought about eating. About K.C. Sprayberry
Living a dream she’s had since she first discovered the magic of books. K.C. Sprayberry traveled the U.S. and Europe before finally settling in the mountains of Northwest Georgia. She’s been married to her soulmate for nearly a quarter of a century and they enjoy spoiling their grandchildren along with many other activities.
A multi-genre author, K.C. Sprayberry is always on the hunt for new stories. Inspiration strikes at the weirdest times and drives her to grab notebook and pen to jot down her ideas. Those close to her swear nothing or no one is safe if she’s smiling gently in a corner and watching those in the same room interact. Her observations have often given her ideas for her next story, set not only in the South but wherever the characters demand they settle.

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