New Orleans, USA, 1937

Zachary Jonathan Stephens, 16, was coming back from school on his bicycle and when he turned into the driveway, he saw the doctor's car. He threw his bike aside and ran in the house. What if it was too late? What if he hadn't had the chance to see his father for the very last time?

His mother looked up at him when she heard him slam the door behind him. Her cheeks were streaming with tears but she said nothing as her son ran pass her.

Zachary took the doorknob with his hand, still hesitating. He peeked inside and the look the doctor gave him informed him that his father was close to death. Tears formed in his eyes as the doctor left the room. His father has always been the biggest inspiration in Zachary's life and seeing him like that was hard.

"Come here, son" his father said, motioning to Zachary to come closer.

Zachary walked to his father's bed. He didn't know of this was going to be the last moment with him so he didn't want to blink and take the chance to lose one second of the sight of him.

"I'd like you to do some things for me, my boy" he started. "First, you have to promise me that you'll take care of your mother."

"I promise" the boy replied with tears in his eyes.

"Stay the boy that you are while becoming a man. Keep helping people and most of all, stay strong, whatever happens, you have to stay strong."

Huge sobs were preventing Zachary from talking. His lips refused to budge. He hugged his father as tears fell from his eyes. He finally got out of the room and went to the kitchen with his mother.

The next morning…

Zachary woke up and walked to the kitchen. Everything was incredibly quiet in the house. The sound of his father agonizing in the bedroom wasn't audible. When he saw his mother crying, he understood.

Emily looked up at him and when she saw his face, she simply nodded to confirm his thoughts.

"He won't suffer anymore" she said.

Zachary realized that he was now the man of the house and that he had to take care of his mother. He would drop out of school to get a decent job and bring home some money. He also knew that she would never let him do that. She always dreamed that her son becomes a doctor or a lawyer.

New Orleans, USA, 1939

World War II had been declared a few weeks ago and Zachary, who was now a newspaper seller had seen it on a cover. He was passionate by it and read every article about it. Sometimes, he even brought the subject at dinner, even though his mother hated it.

"Can you imagine people coming here and drop some bombs on our wonderful country? Those people are living in hell" Zachary's mother said.

"They won't come here, mom. Everything happens back in Europe" he explained, his mouth full.

"Don't be so sure. I mean, the name says it all, it's a World War. Nothing's gonna stop them from…"

"It means that every country is fighting, not that they will destroy the world" Zachary interrupted.

"Well I still think we should be careful and ready."

"I thought about going there" he admitted to his mother.

"What?" Emily exclaimed. "Go to Europe?"

"Actually, I'm going to Europe, mom."

Emily looked at him, trying to understand what was going on on her son's mind.

"If I didn't volunteer, they would've taken me away, anyway. It's the law, now, because of the war."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I'm 18 and a man of the United States of America. I have to honor my country."

He waited for an answer but Emily stayed there, shocked.

"I leave next month. I fly to Paris then take the train to Poland. That's where I'm gonna be for a while."

"You already know everything and didn't tell me? Zachary, can you understand how worried I am?"

"Everything's going to be fine and I promise to write you a letter every week" Zachary assured.

"Anything can happen, you know that?"

"I know, but I'm not scared."