Colin and his Hitchhikers
By: Jon Stewart
(© 2019 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

jstewart@tickiestories.us

Chapter 9
Letters from Dad

After all was said and done Thanksgiving was just a great time for all. The following week Jimmy as was his practice walked his Nana out to her car.

"Thank you for the dinner Nana it was great... you always make it great."

"Thank you Jimmy, You are most welcome."

Jimmy stood there for a moment with his hand on the handle of the car door; seemly pondering how to pose what he was thinking.

In a quiet shy voice which definitely was not Jimmy, "Say Nana ... ahh do you think you could get me...ahh my own trash basket and tissue box?" He asked with his head down.

"Why Jimmy does this mean what I think it means?"

He smiled a big smile and shook his head up and down.

Nana smiled, "Why of course Jimmy, every boy needs his own waste basket and tissue box. My, this must be exciting for you; thank you for sharing it with me, especially in such a grown up and polite manner. You are becoming quite the young man. Should I say congratulations."

Jimmy beamed and hugged his Nana. "I love you Nana."

"And I you Jimmy, tomorrow you'll have your own tissue box and basket. Does anyone else know?"

Jimmy said "Nope"

"Well, I am honored, shall we let the others figured it out with the tissue box and basket.?"

"Yes, mam."

OK then, So Jimmy, are you going to open the door for me now, young sir."

"Yes, Nana, I'm sorry to be slowing you down."

"You gave me wonderful news, that you are growing up and you will never be an imposition." Nana kissed Jimmy on his cheek as he held the door open.

Jimmy waved as Nana went down the drive soon to be out of sight. He had a kind of bounce to his step as he walked back inside and he tried and was able to whistle a bit.

The boys settled into their life in Pine Hill. Christmas that year was just awesome. Not for the presents received but for the love of their new family. Pops of course was their benefactor with help from Uncle Robbie and Uncle Chris and their Nana was the most loving woman God had put on this earth. Colin had surprised them and gave Josh his batting cage & pitching machine at least a picture of it on paper; Jimmy got his fenced in basketball court. There was a ton of work to be done but they were ecstatic that the dream was to be a reality. Josh and Jimmy had made good friends, life long friends in Pine Hill; where ever they went the sleepy little town in the mountains of New York was always home base and their sanctuary.

It was after Christmas that Mrs. Horan, invited the fathers of her students to come in and give a little presentation on their jobs and how what they learned in school helped them to do it. All the students were very excited to have their dads visit the school. They took that excitement home and Mrs. Horan had just about 100% participation. Jimmy of course could not participate, his dad having fallen in the fields of Afghanistan. Everyone in the class was talking about having their dad come to the school. Jimmy kind of separated himself from the group. He had a queasy feeling in his stomach and a lump in his throat. He wanted to yell at someone as he held back his tears. Such was his state when Pops picked him up after school. Having it be a dark rainy day didn't help much neither. The ride home was all too quiet and Pops knew something was bothering him.

Once home he dropped his books and shucked his jacket and laid face down on his bed arms folded over his forehead.

Nana said "Jimmy, come pick up your jacket dear."

There was no reply nor did he do as asked. This was not the Jimmy Edna and Colin had come to love, full of life and confidence. Edna looked to Pops and all he could do was shrug his shoulders and mouth "I don't know."

Edna went in to him sat on his bed and rubbed his back.

"Tell me dear, tell your Nana what is wrong. Don't keep it inside. I love you, Pops is here he loves you. Tell us how we can help, please Jimmy."

Jimmy turned over the tears that he had been keeping bottled up during school were now streaming down his face.

Quietly, Jimmy said, "you can't Nana. You can't help; no one can. My daddy's dead and he will never be with me. He won't come to school ever."

"Are other dads going to school?"

"Yeah everyone, I'm the only one who's not gonna have his dad there."

"Can't Pops go for you?"

Almost yelling now Jimmy answered, "Pops is my adopted grandpa. He's not my daddy. Everyone has their dads there."

"Ohh I see."

Pops came over and hugged Jimmy. "Suppose I go and tell what your daddy did. Mrs. Moran gave me a letter from your daddy's commanding officer and I have my own letters from him. Maybe, I can read those and it'll be almost like he is there. It's the best we can do Jimmy. I think it is better than not having anyone there for you. What do ya think?"

"I guess."

Nana and Pops hugged and kissed Jimmy until finally Nana said, "I have been working on making chocolate chip cookies half the day hoping you would like them and reward me with that smile of yours. Will you at least try one for your snack?"

Jimmy looked at his Nana and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Ok Nana."

Nana held his hand as they went out to the kitchen table where she put a plate on cookies in front of Jimmy and got him a big glass of frosty cold milk. "Now don't eat too many and ruin your dinner."

Taking his first bit out of the soft and creamy chocolate cookie Jimmy smiled. "These are real good Nana, thank you for making them. I'll share with Josh and Pops but not uncle Robbie with his sweet tooth he'll want all of them."

Nana smiled, "Why thank you dear, I'm glad you like them."

Pops had gone and got the letters. "Jimmy, do you want to read what your dad wrote as well as his commander."

Jimmy thought for a bit and then said, "I don't think so Pops. Other kids won't know what their dads are gonna say. I know I can trust you."

So it was a week later that it was Pops' turn to speak.

"Hi guys, I want to thank Mrs. Horan for this opportunity to tell you about Jimmy's dad. You see, he can't be here because he was a soldier and he died in Afghanistan. But to get an idea of what he did, I brought some letters, I want to read. The first one is to me. His name was Tim, of course Tim O'Shea.

Hi Colin,

I'm sorry we fell out of touch after I graduated high school. Anyway I'm in the Army now. It's a pretty good life, kind of like hanging out with the guys on one of the teams you coached. I got married and have 2 boys Josh he is older and then Jimmy came along. I love them more than life itself. It was so hard leaving them to come over here to Afghanistan. I tried teaching them like you taught me. Eye on the ball watch it all the way. Boy Josh sure can hit for a his age and Jimmy, well basketball is his sport. I swear when he shoots, he has radar guiding the ball to the basket. But, the work I do over here is really, really important. You see I am a medic and the guys they kind of rely on me to help them. It's the greatest feeling in the world when you know you made a real difference and helped a buddy and he is alive today because of what you did out on the battlefield. It really sucks when there isn't anything you can do and a young soldier passes. At least, I am there and can hold his hand so he knows he is not alone. I even kind of like sick call back at camp. I feel like a big brother taking care of my younger brother.

This is my 4th tour over here and I'm feeling just a little bit on edge. I wonder how many times I can beat the odds and not get hit when we go on patrol. Every night, I remember you having me do exercises and I do them now twice as hard. There are times when I have to out run a bullet to get to the GI who was shot. Thanks for that good advise back when; taking care of your body is one of the best things you can do.

I have a favor to ask you, Colin. Only because you were such a great friend to me as I was growing up. I know you never married and you really seemed to love us guys. If anything happens to me will you look after my boys. My wife is moving and I'll get you the new address.

Thanks
Your friend
Tim

This next one is very short I think it might have been the day Tim was shot.

Hi Colin,

We are going out on patrol real soon so this will be very short. I got a real bad feeling about this patrol, Colin. I don't want to go but the guys are counting on me to be there. Got to patch them up and put the pieces back as best I can. Maybe it's just me and too many tours over here. I want to be home with my family and take care of them. This will be my last tour. I swear it no more. No matter how important this is to the guys I gotta take care of me family, my boys.

Ohh crap they are calling us out now. Got to go. Please if something happens take care of them. God I want to hold them all now.

Thanks,
Tim"

Mrs. Horan was wiping her eyes as were many of the kids. Jimmy had his arms folded on his desk and his head down. He wanted to hear but he wanted not to hear. He just wanted his daddy there with him.

Colin gulped hard and took a deep breath and went on. "This is from Tim's commanding officer.

4073 US Army Field Hospital, Kandahar Providence Afghanistan.
From the desk of Major John Sweeny MD

Dear Katie, Josh and Jimmy,

It pains me so to be writing you at this time. This has to be the worst job for any commanding officer.

I am so sorry to have to tell you, your husband and father, Tim O'Shea died of wounds he received while attending another injured soldier.

Tim was the most respected and even loved member of his battalion. He always made it his business to get to know each member of the battalion. Every GI knew Tim would go though a wall to get to them; to give them the medical attention they needed. It was often said around the battalion that Tim was the best medic in the whole damn army. So to it was on that day, that I wish there was a wall, for it would have offered him some cover. When the call went out, MEDIC !!, it came from an open field about 100 yards from Spec 5 O'Shea's position. The company commander told Tim you can't go. We can't lose you as well as the soldier who was hit. Wait till we push the Taliban off the hill. Tim said that will be too late. The soldier, one Bobby Grimes will bleed out. Tim got up and started sprinting, zig zaging across the field at about 15 yards from PFC Grimes he kind of tripped but kept going at 10 yards he kind of tripped again but he went on more limping than running. He had been hit twice in his leg. Most men would have gone down from the first round, not Tim. He for sure should have fallen when the 2nd round got him. Someone in his company yelled cover the doc. A hundred GI's rose up and let lose a hail of bullets and the Taliban retreated off the hill. They secured the area as Spec 5 O'Shea treated PFC Bobby Grimes. He administered morphine to calm the soldier and ward off the deadly consequences of shock, stopped the bleeding and bandaged young Bobby Grimes' wound. All the time his leg was gushing blood. The wound Tim received hit a main artery. He stayed with PFC Grimes acting as if nothing was wrong until the medi vac chopper came. When the medics on the chopper took Bobby to the chopper they saw Tim's wound. They tried to get a tourniquet on it but it was too late. Tim had lost too much blood. He passed on the way to our hospital. How he administered to Bobby Grimes under the circumstances is nothing short of a miracle.

The entire battalion turned out for the little service we had prior to Tim being shipped home. Each soldier included a little note about how much of a friend Tim was to them. For me I will miss his friendship just like everyone else. He was an inspiration to me. I asked him to work behind the lines with me. He said he had to be with his guys.

I think of the saying, "There is no greater gift than to give up your life for a friend". You probably know but that was your husband and dad. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his courage and valor. Tim would say he was just doing his job.

I wish there was more that I could say or do.

My sincerest condolences, Tim was much loved and will be surely missed.
Major John Sweeny MD"

Colin said, "That's all I have, I just wanted to share a little of who Jimmy's dad was."

You could have heard a pin drop other than an occasional sniffle. Mrs. Horan didn't want to but had to get up. She waited a full minute or so. She looked around the room at the bleary young eyes, knowing she had to put a message to the story. She gulped in some air.

"Thank you Mr. O'Brian and thank you Jimmy for sharing a little of your dad. You know children too often you see on TV or in the movies and war is glamorized and there aren't real consequences. But I think we all can see the real consequence of a brave young father not being here because of it. I hope all you will think of that as you grow and never forget the lesson we learned here today. Thank you again Jimmy."

Mercifully the somber mood was interrupted by the lunch bell. Tommy Ellesbury, got up and hugged Jimmy, who still had his face hidden in his arms on his desk. He whispered, "I'll wait right here for you when you are ready."

Each child not knowing what to say patted Jimmy on his shoulder or their way to lunch. Colin and Mrs. Horan watched. After a bit Jimmy raised his head and saw Pops and Tommy. Pops just nodded. Tommy put his arm around his friend and they went to lunch.

"Jeeze Jimmy, your dad was a real hero."

"I think your dad is one too."

"Why he didn't save any lives? I mean I love him and everything and he's kind of great but I don't make him a hero."

"Simple Tommy, he is here and doing important stuff like teaching us kids. Being here is very important don't ya think."

"Yeah, I guess so, never thought of it like that."

They passed Joe Ellesbury in the hall. Tommy ran up to him and hugged him and said "I love you dad, you're my hero."

Joe smiled and looked to Tommy and said "Why thank you Tommy."

Then Tommy and Jimmy continued on to lunch.

Later that night at dinner Joe explained what happened. Tommy told of what Jimmy told him especially the being here part. Joe nodded and they all thanked God for their family.

At Colin's house Jimmy asked Pops if he could have the letters. Pops had already made copies for him and Josh. The brothers read them again and then hugged each other.

Colin said. "Hey guys I know these letters are important to you but remember in each of you is part of your dad. Not that you'd want to but you can never get rid of him. He's right there in your heart. He's in your soul and in everything you do."

"You mean he's there even when I play with myself?" Jimmy asked.

"Yes sir and he doesn't mind it at all." Pops said smiling.

"What about when Josh is moaning Maggie, Maggie, Maggie and is humping the bed?"

"Yup, he's there then too and he is smiling and happy that you guys are enjoying your boy parts in a way that will help you grow."

"WOW!!!" Jimmy exclaimed.

To be continued...

Posted: 08/13/2021