Colin died when my son was five. I heard the news one day when I got an unexpected visit from two officers. Henry was starting his first day at kindergarten, and Ox was walking our dog Mutt, so I was home alone. I planned on going to the market later in the day, so I was at the kitchen table, cutting coupons. As I was finishing cutting the last coupon, a knock came at the front door. I rushed to answer it, and opened the door. Two officers stood at the door, looking very solemn.
"Are you Marion Williams?" one asked me, his tone serious.
I looked at him, and said, "Yes. Is there something wrong, sir?" The man nodded, and they both asked to come inside. I showed them in, and gestured to the table. Sitting down, the one man began to talk.
"I suppose you know why we're here."
Looking at them, I didn't have the slightest clue why they would be here. "No, I don't." I said, with a look of confusion across my face. The officer sensed this, and said, "Marion, we're from the Royal Air Force. Our records show that your husband, Colin was a fighter pilot serving in Germany. I'm afraid this will be hard for me to tell you this, but your husband is dead. He was shot down during a mission, and died midair." I looked at him, with tears in my eyes. The other officer pulled out a letter, and handed it to me.
"Here, this is the official confirmation." I nodded silently and took the letter. The men got up, and the one who told me the news said," We must get going. Again, we send our condolences, Mrs. Williams." I opened up the door to let them out, and then shut it, and that's when it all hit. I started sobbing. How was I going to tell Henry that Colin was dead? The only father figure he knew? I reached in my purse for a cigarette. I didn't smoke often, the only times I did were when I was stressed, or after making love...or when I'm depressed.
I was eighteen and depressed. Go figure. My father made my life a living hell after he learned that Indy and I had an intimate relationship. In the days after, everything said to me was in the lines of calling me a slut and a whore. When I couldn't take it anymore I went outside, and smoked. I pulled out a cigarette, and a matchbook, and lit up. Inhaling and exhaling, I calmed down. There were a lot of things Father did not know about me. For example, the fact that I not only slept with Indy, but I slept with two of his other students...no wait it was three, but Father caught the other one with me last spring. I got away with the other two.
I took a long drag from my cigarette. Inhaling and exhaling, letting the smoke blow. As I smoked, I could see Ox with our dog.
"Marion, is something bothering you?" Ox said. He knew that when I smoked it was for a reason.
"Ox, I just was visited by two officers from the RAF. They told me Colin is dead." I dissolved into tears again. Ox hugged me, and I handed him the letter that the officer gave me. He opened it and read the letter. After reading it, he gave me another hug.
"I'm so sorry, Marion, that this had to happen." I nodded, tears streaming down my face.
"How are we going to tell Henry? He was looking forward to Colin coming to visit." My voice sounded hoarse, from all the emotions coming through.
Ox smiled." We'll tell him in a way that he'll grasp. Why don't we go inside, and you can go retreat to your room to be alone for a few hours, before Henry gets home from school. I hope he had a good first day." We entered the house, and I headed to my room. Once I entered my room, was when I completely fell apart.
I lay on my bed and stared blankly at the ceiling. How was I going to explain to my five year old son that a man that he thought of as his father is dead? At the thought, I broke down in tears. As I cried uncontrollably, my young son entered my room.
"What's wrong, mommy?" Henry said, his face sporting a look of absolute confusion. I did not know how to tell him Colin was dead. I grabbed a tissue, dabbing my eyes.
"Henry, sweetie...Mommy has some news to tell you, and you may not like it or understand it." I blew my nose and continued. "Your father, he's not going to be coming home."
Henry looked at me, and said, "Why?" Tears fell down my cheek.
"Henry, he died. The bad men shot your dad's plane in midair." I looked at Henry, and a tear fell across his little cheek. He understood what it was I meant. Swooping him up into a hug, I managed a smile.
"It's going to be okay sweetheart. You have Mommy and Ox to take good care of you." As I said that, Ox was in the doorway. He smiled, and lifted Henry into his arms to give him a hug. "Your mom's right, son."
I managed a smile. Things as of now would never be the same. Tears ran down my cheeks.
A few days later. Marion and Ox are planning the memorial. While they are planning, they allow Henry, to go outside with the dog. This part of the fic is mainly conversations between Mutt and Marion.
"Mommy, why am I named Henry?" Henry asked, confused. I looked at him...speechless.
"Now your mom has to finish the plans for the memorial. Why don't you wait?" Ox said, smiling.
Impatient, Henry stomped his little foot. "I want to know now!! Mommy!!" He screamed at the top of his lungs and finally I looked up from the paperwork and scooped him up in my arms.
"Sweetie, Mommy has to finish the arrangements. You were named that because I liked the name. To myself, I thought, "Indiana Jones." Now why don't you go outside and play with the dog, and I'll answer all your questions when I'm done." Few hours later I finished up, and went outside to check on the dog and Henry. Henry lit up when he saw me. Running into my arms, I scooped him up in a huge hug, and said, "I am done now, sweetheart, so you can ask me anything you want." He grinned.
"Mommy, I want a new name." Henry said.
"Why, sweetie? Don't you like your name?" I said, confused. Henry shook his head.
"No mommy, I hate my name. Kids tease me about it at school."
I looked into his eyes and said, "Then what do you want to be called?"
Henry laughed and said, "There is a kid at school called Bug."
I laughed."You want to be called Bug?"
Henry smiled."No, mom...I want to be called Mutt, like our dog."
I was confused." Then how are we going to tell you and the dog apart?"
Henry laughed." Easy. I am a boy, and he's a dog."
I grinned."Fine then, you can call yourself Mutt." He squealed with joy and squirmed out of my arms.
From that day forward he was Mutt Williams.