When one of the American tragedy of the war happens on that mild January day, the dreams and hopes of those twenty eight who are killed vanish forever. They will not get to see their family and loved ones, their country, and the accomplishment of their goals; they never see the victorious America Pushes back Saddam out of Kuwait and they will pass "RESOLUTION" in UN, for no fly zones area in Iraq, instead of killing Saddam and cutting the head of snake. UN, the most corrupt international organization with its headquarter in New York, for the next ten years comes up with resolution after resolution, to keep Saddam in line. Why didn't America finish the job in 1991, is beyond the knowledge of the writer of these pages, but leaving international disputes to UN is one thing that shows corruption to its highest degree.
Sam never gets to write the letter he was about to write to his mother. When he was killed, he still had the piece of paper and a pen in his hand. The Scud Missile's aim has been Iraqi's vital organizations, but how could it make it there when the Scud falls apart in flight? The forward section of Scud, containing the explosive charge, falls on the barrack in Dhahran. The barrack explodes in flame like a ball of fire and many hopes fly like smoke including Sam's paper in his hand, which he wanted to write a sweet letter of love and acceptance to his everlasting depressed mother who has finally and for the first time was doing something wonderful for herself.
The television broadcasters report the tragedy right away. Very soon, they began showing pictures and videos of the burning barrack in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. When Hana hears Dhahran, she knows instinctively that her son is among dead. The hot line number that next of kin have to contact military is busy and as she makes mistakes dialing the number, Mario and Farhad volunteer to do that. It takes them a few hours to get through while even after the conversation they still do not know anymore than before. The news is hazy. Hana tries to call many places, but nothing seems to work that evening. It is time for action not depression, one of Hana's good quality has always been to take action at the time of the crises, like what she did right after the death of her father, while everyone was mourning, eating, and driving her crazy.
Mario and Farhad in the kitchen whisper while Sylvie tries to distract Hana in the living room. In the next forty eight hours they hear about the dead and wounded, but they also hear about many who have survived; those are the people who left the barrack when they heard that high pitched sound of the Scud and ran for their lives as far as they could. Nothing, good or bad, make Mario, Farhad, and Sylvie to leave Hana's apartment for forty eight hours. No one sleeps, or eats a real meal or go to work. For Hana is only cigarette and prescription Valium she got from her doctor to make her able to go through this time and Mario forces her to take. For Mario is his cigar and coffee, and Farhad and Sylvie eat a little cereal once in a while.
It is a cold Friday morning, mid January, Hana is finally dozing because of the effect of Valium. Others are sitting around her in silence, knowing the tragic moments will come soon since the families of the survivors and wounded already know about the safety of their loved ones. It has been three days since the news of this tragedy has broken. When the bell rings, everybody flies to the door while Hana opens her eyes from the nightmare of the short sleep, all shaking and horrified. It is an army Captain in Uniform, handsome and young along with another soldier, a Sergeant. There is a deep sorrow, not a fake one in both faces and eyes. Mario and Farhad back up since they know, as the military custom is, they are there to see Hana. The Captain does not need to ask for Sam's mother, for it is very obvious among the four people in the house who the mother is. He can see the desperate Hana on the sofa with messy hair and red eyes, wearing only a robe, all open in front with only a tie at waist and exposing her legs. He comes close while the Sergeant follows him. He stands in front of her, the sergeant stands a few step back without speaking even a word. Farhad, Sylvie, and Mario are standing in the hallway that is parallel to the living room, all frozen with horror. Farhad is crying loud and uncontrollably.
As the Captain has done this loathsome job many times before, since his own injury and disability, somehow it seems to him that this one is the worst of all. But later in the car the sergeant who always accompanies him, reminds him that he always feels the same for all of the families that he informs them of the death of their loved ones. These two are American soldiers who have wounded and became disabled, some worse than others. Now their job is to inform families of death of their loved ones. He hates his job, so does the sergeant, but some one has to do it.
He stands there, looking at Hana. She looks at him as well with no tears but a feverish energy that pierces him through. He goes beyond his call of duty, which he has memorized them, "never touch anyone, never say any extra word, never stand there and begin a conversation." There are some phrases that he now knows them by heart. "Just say those words and no matter what happens, leave. One of those phrases is that "Pentagon will contact you for funeral arrangement."
As he tries to begin his duty, to inform this mother, somehow he goes beyond the call of duty. He stretches his hand and holds Hana's hand and then sits on the floor in front to her. The sergeant behind him is thinking, "What the h...he is doing?"
"I am so sorry..." He can not go on.
The sergeant behind him is thinking to report him for deviating from their routine informing.
Hana calmly says:
"please sit down on a chair. Farhad bring a cup of coffee for the Captain."
"No, madam, thank you. I am here to inform you...!"
"All right Captain, you're here to talk to Sam's mother, aren't you?"
"Yes, Aren't you Sam's mother?"
The sergeant standing in complete owe for what is happening. He has never seen anything like this. This Captain will be in a lot of problem if he reports him.
"Yes, I am Sam's mother." Hana begins. Suddenly she raises her voice in a way that no one in that room has ever heard. She gets up from the sofa with difficulty, putting her hands on her knees and pulls herself to standing position, and turns to Mario, Farhad, and Silvie. She raises her hand and points to the door while screaming: "Just throw these people out of my home. This is only for me to hear."
To Be Continued
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