According to Jennie's post on her blog, this story was written on February 12, 2013 on the spur of the moment for a short story competition. Jennie, you certainly have my vote!
Read it and weep...
My Angel
by Jennifer Davies
“Kenneth what’s
so special about the picture? You stare at it for hours?”
Nurse
Philips handed back the antique gold frame that held the treasured black and
white photograph, biting her lip.
“I hope I’m
not prying?”
Kenneth
Thomas a ninety-two year old veteran held the frame in his shaky and sun
mottled hands. Such a long time ago.
“It’s a
picture of an angel!” He turned to stare straight into her face, his eyes
unblinking.
Nurse Philips
moved closer and peered over his shoulder.
“Where?”
He could remember
the day as if it were yesterday. It was the Liberation of Paris, August 26th
1944 and he was sat astride a tank with several of his squadron posing for the cameras
on D-Day on the Champs-Elysees. Smiling French ladies were hoisted up onto the
tank especially for the magazine taking the shot of allied forces marching
through Paris. The mood was euphoric.
“We were the
conquering heroes that day. Strangers cheering, women throwing themselves at us
in the streets, but I knew something was amiss. I could smell roses… roses were
her favorites.” He coughed, spluttered and clutched at his chest.
“Mr. Thomas
are you alright, you don’t have to explain?”
He patted
her hand and carried on as if needing to tell his story,” Hitler’s army had
just been chased out of Paris and we were celebrating. That’s me right there
and that’s Mikey, Ginger and Scott. Good guys all of them. As I said the women
were very pretty strangers and I didn’t see this photograph until much later,
but there right beside me is Marion, she spoke to me.” His finger gently
smoothed across the frame and a stray tear fell upon his cheek.
“She’s
beautiful, who is she?”
A pain
radiated across his left arm and gripped his chest.”That raven haired beauty was
my wife. We’d only been married four months when I left for Normandy. I was
part of Operation Overlord. I left on the 6th of June 1944 along
with thousands of troops and vessels. Two months it took for us to infiltrate
their defenses on Omaha beach. Two months. Many died. I barely made it but through it all I kept
thinking of Marion and our child. Of how I must survive for their sakes. Her
memory made me strong. The irony of course is that she died in childbirth. I didn’t
know until after the war. Nurse, war is terrible, so much lost of life, so many
horrific injuries. Terrible atrocities, things you can never forget. But
throughout it all I felt her with me like a guardian angel right to the end.”
“Oh Mr.
Thomas I’m so sorry that’s so sad. What happened to the child?”
He patted
her hand seeing that she too was crying, “Its all right dear, we fell in love
the moment we met in that dusty old book store in Devon. It was war time and
everything was a rush. We married as soon as we could get a license. Of course
I didn’t ship out straight away and believe you me we made a lifetime of
memories in those short months. More than most have in a lifetime. She was the
love of my life. I knew she was carrying my child before I went to Normandy. We
choose the names together. Daniel, if it was a boy and Catherine for a girl.”
A throaty
cough caught Kenneth and he paused his eyes watering.
“Kenneth
take this.” She passed him a glass of cold water and he swallowed.
“Thank you.
Anyway Daniel was born and I damaged these,” he slapped his legs in the wheelchair
and rubbed his arm,” landmine in Lorraine. When I arrived home I had forgotten
all about Marion and her family thought I had died. For a year she haunted me until
finally I regained my memory and Daniel. He will be here this weekend. ”
A buzzer called
the nurse away. A scent of roses wafted around Mr. Thomas, he took a deep
breath and slumped back in his chair. He knew today she would visit him, the
pain was unbearable and she had promised him she would visit again, when it was
time.
It was time.
My angel.
Happy writing x
Now that you have read the story, what about you? Would you cast your vote for My Angel?
Visit Jennie's blog, A Writer's Journey, and let her know what you think. She would greatly appreciate the visit. While there, indulge yourself in more of her writings!
Visit Jennie's blog, A Writer's Journey, and let her know what you think. She would greatly appreciate the visit. While there, indulge yourself in more of her writings!
Jennifer Davies |
Dear Sharla,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful start to a Friday morning. I feel truly blessed. I wrote this story on a whim to see if I could push myself to write about something outside my comfort zone. I'm so happy you enjoyed it and thank you so much for featuring it on your lovely blog. Have a great weekend. Best wishes Jen x
Jennie, that's a wonderfully written story of a beautiful love. So perfect for Valentine's Day. It's so easy when young to forget the passion that our parents and grandparents shared--some throughout long lives. This story gave me a 'happy' feeling. Thanks for sharing it.
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