Chapter 3 - It is time…
That evening, when they sat down to supper, not one word was spoken for a while. It was now 6:08 pm. They were having pasta, with tomato sauce. Matt usually has a big appetite. However, for once he barely ate a thing. Everyone was the same. Christy sat firmly, staring at her plate. She loved pasta, adored it, she always begged mom to make it. But Christy could not eat any more than three forkfuls.
After a few moments, Mom announced "Alright. Enough of this. I know it's hard, and none of us wants your father to go but," She stopped to dab a run-a-way tear, that raced down her face. "But we need to be strong." her voice sounded scratchy now. "These are the last moments we have left with your father. The last moments we have as a family, until he leaves tomorrow." She paused. "We need to make them last." Mom gently pulled away from the table, picking up her plate and walking towards the sink.
"I'm sorry mom, everyone." Christy began. "I'm sorry that I haven't said much…but I'm still in a shock over all this. It's happening to fast for me." "Ohh Christy, it's happening fast for all of us." Christy tired but could not help herself. Out came the tears once again. Matt too joined in, forgetting about being strong.
They all joined for a group hug. They cried for ten whole minutes. The Dad said. "Okay now, let's top the water works, and start enjoying these last few hours together. Sound good?" Matt always giggled when Dad referred tears to water works. "What time do you leave in the morning Max?" Mom asked threw tears. "I'm not sure, it probably says in that note. Chris? Will you go get it for me? Its on the coffee table in the living room, you can se it from here." Dad asked as he walked over to Matt to wrap his caring arms around him. Matt still had watery eyes. "O-okay D-Dad" Christy crackly said, as she went in search of the note.
Christy returned with the mote in her hand. She looked at her Dad. He walked over and graciously took the note and kissed her forehead. "Thank you Chrissy." He said with a smile.
"Okay." He started skimming down the paper to find the time. "It says, I leave at…." He paused and slowly said "8:00. And I must arrive at the camp at 9:00." He looked up from the paper and said, "Well, I guess I better get some more of my things packed." "There's quite a few things on this list, heh heh." he laughed to make everyone think that everything as okay, even though it was not. He fooled no one. They stood there blankly.
Then Mom decided to get the dishes done. Matt helped by drying. Dad then made his way to his private room, in the basement. Christy followed silently, without him noticing.
After a few minutes of watching him pack, Christy decided she would try to convince him to stay.
"D-Dad?" Christy began. "Christy!" He spun around startled that she was there. "Yes, dear?" He asked looking her in the eyes. The only light was form the fireplace. It's warm, orange light shone around the room. "Do you have to go?" Christy asked close to tears. He calmly said. "Yes Christina." But why!" She blurted out without thinking. "Isn't there enough people going already!" She was practically yelling at him now. 'Chris---" He started but she interrupted him. "No! I'm sure they won't miss one man not going. They probably already have enough! Why don't you just stay her and----" "Christina!" it was his turn to interrupt her. "I have to go." "But why!" She asked again with concern. "Chris I have to, if I don't it's not fair to all the families whose fathers and sons and etc are going to war. I got for you guys, my family, and for my country, Chris it's just one of those things you have to do in life." He stopped for a second. "Besides all that, I have no choice." He looked down, and his voice quieted down. "I love you Christy, you your mom and Matty. I hate to leave you guys but I must. I will miss you all very much." He walked towards Christy and grasped her in a hug, and she did the same back. For a few moments, they stood there hugging one another. "It's time for me to go."
The night went ton. It was now 9:54 and time for bed. Everyone was restless, but bedtime is bedtime. Christy snuggled into bed after giving and receiving hugs and kisses form everyone. Down the hall, Christy could hear Matt weeping quietly.
A couple of hours later, Christy still lay awake, she gazed out at the moon and thought hard about what she should do. After thinking it repeatedly in her head, she decided that she would do it. She would be the one to go to war.