"It seems President Bush will send troops to the Persian Gulf." He said
Hana, back to her old habit, being miserable, wants all these to be only a dream. The shock of the bitter reality is way beyond her endurance. In her almost everyday conversation with Sam, she begs her son to quit and return home.
"Mom, I can't."
Sam finally tells her that their unit has been under an alert for some time and there is a possibility that it will be mobilized. As he repeatedly tells her that he can not get a pass to come home now, she decides to take a trip there and sees him. She can not resist her sickened thoughts anymore. Mario insists on going with her. This will give him a chance to meet Sam and be with Hana.
Even though Hana truly does not want him to go with her, she can not say no to him. They leave Dallas on a Thursday after work with Mario's car. It is a rainy afternoon and when they go through Waco, rain changes to a storm. In front of them the sky lights up with lightening and they can hear thunder loud and frightening. They are silent whereas the nature out there. The only sound in the car is the fast moving windshield wiper, back and forth, back and forth... Hana introspects her last conversation with Sam. She is not sure if going with Mario is a very good idea. On the other hand they will be soon getting married. Sam does not even know anything about Mario. How can she hide her engagement and marriage from Sam any longer? Maybe this is a better way to do it. As she struggles with this thought, another deafening thunder shakes her. The storm makes the car trembles just like their hearts, each on his and her own way. The three hours trip passes mostly in silence since Mario knows how she feels and he does not blame her at all. Hana brings up her feet up to her chest and tries to cover them with her coat. But the cold out there and within her makes her shiver to a degree that leaves Mario no choice but break the silence by saying:
"I raise the heater. You're cold."
"It is all right. I'll feel better in a little while."
That night in Killeen, Texas they check in a motel. It is the first time that they are spending a night together; however, the night passes by her sitting and trying to read a book, which she is unsuccessful to concentrate; and him watching the television, which he can not pay attention to. The next morning, the sky is cloudless and there is no sign of rain or storm, but the temperature has dropped about twenty degree. None of them dressed for this kind of weather, but there is nothing can be done. They drive up to Fort Hood. There, in front of the large gate, the young soldier asks them many questions and looks at their identifications cards; however, he never raises the blocking barrier. When finally the weeping Hana is told to wait so they can call her son, she is filled with both rapture and agony.
Sam and other soldiers are engaged in their morning practice, while the guard is speaking to Sam's superior about a worried mother at the gate. As the Sergeant conjures up his early days in the military when he was only eighteen, and remembers his own mother's emotional behavior since Vietnam War was in full force, he feels this mother's pain as well, and writes a one day pass for Sam. He is very sure that his unit will go to the Persian Gulf soon. "Let's the boy see his mother." He thinks to himself.
Sam is overwhelmingly happy to see his mother, but as he has never learned to show his emotions, Hana mistakes it with displeasure. As they drive away from the Fort to the city, Sam is waiting for an explanation about this sophisticated man with salt and pepper hair, who reminds him of Richard Burton, with his soft, beautiful leather jacket in a light brown color, and khaki pants. It is obvious to Sam that his clothes are designer's. Sam knows cars and is estimating in his mind how much Mario's last model BMW costs. He thinks who is this man with his mother. Mario discerns that he has put Hana in a tough situation by going with her; nevertheless, nothing can be done now. He decides to take the initiative. He begins by introducing himself first while Sam in front seat is all ears. Then he switches to politics and then again back to himself. Finally he starts all over again from the beginning, how he met his mother and so on. Sam impatiently listens to this ongoing story which he knows about it only now.
"Are you two getting married?" Sam tries to make things easy for Mario.
"Yes, we are. Your mother was afraid to tell you. She was waiting for you to come home so you didn't have to learn it this way."
"That is great. I am happy for you." Sam's tone voice seems sarcastic.
Hana in the back seat of the car, breaks into a silent sobbing, for she knows her son's remark does not mean it's wording. Surprisingly Mario feels Sam's bitter comment as well. He understands Sam's hostility and agony.
"Listen Sam, I know you have too much in mind right now and this isn't exactly the right time to learn about us, but you need to understand that your mother has never had a happy life. Your brother moved out as you know and soon is getting married, and you have joined the army; and frankly if I leave her, she will be all alone without anybody. She needs to have a life, too. She deserves to have a life. She is a very good person."
Mario's interjection makes Sam to think. First he thinks who is this man that tells him his mother is a good person as though he does not know her; however, deep inside he agrees with Mario; but he can not get over the fact of being left out on an important issue like this, his mother's second marriage. He can feel his mother's weeping in back seat without turning and looking at her or hearing her cry. But as adamant as he is, he will not forgive her for this. Hana instinctively knows how her son feels and decides to please him even if she has to break up with Mario. They all agree to stop in a little restaurant on the road for breakfast. Hana uses the situation to go to the lady's room so she can discharge the flow of tears that suffocating her like a knot of so many poisonous snakes in her throat. After five minutes, as she is relieved of all unwanted tears, and leaving the rest room to join the two men, she sees Mario standing behind women's bathroom and waiting for her.
"What is it? Why are you standing here?"
"I want you to delay coming to our table. May be you can go outside to have a cigarette. Give me a little time to talk to him man to man."
"What will you tell him?"
"I don't know. Please, just listen to me. You won't regret it."
To Be Continued
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