Jacqueline Druga

THEN CAME WAR

CHAPTER ONE – The Riders

Present Day

Harry Hayward had performed the same routine for nearly fifty years. Although there were times he had to deviate slightly, it was never much and never for long.

No matter what time of day he had to get up, Harry always woke before the alarm. He’d lie in bed until it sounded off and then swing his legs to the side of the bed and say a short prayer. Always, before standing up, he’d turn to his wife’s side of the bed and thank her for all the years she had given him, the love they shared, the home they built.

Since the moment he moved into the house in Windsor, Connecticut, this had been his routine.

As time moved on and he retired, he didn’t have to rush his morning routine and always prepared himself for a new body ache before he stood. He’d saunter down to the kitchen, make and have his coffee, wait for his bowels to kick into gear and then he could freely start his day.

He had worked in New York as a claims adjuster for the railroad when he was first married. But he hadn’t wanted to raise his children in the confines of a concrete jungle. It was worth the two and a half hour commute to see them running in grass, walking to school and playing in the street. But then, before his third child was born, he got a job as a brakeman for the railroad and was able to move into the suburbs. The hours were longer than they’d been when he worked in the city, but the money was better.

Now the kids were all grown and not only had kids of their own but also grandchildren. They all lived in different parts of the country. Everyone had their own lives, but that never stopped Harry from getting in his car and intervening in their lives. Nothing like a good car trip, Harry thought. He had to go see them. The kids didn’t call much.

Harry was a good man and lived his life for his family. He was only sorry he had worked so much that he missed a lot of things.

It was early and he had to catch the 6:20 train this morning, so he didn’t have time for a big breakfast. He’d eat at the deli place when he got into New York, even though his stomach would pay the price later that evening. But the guys liked it and that was where they chose to meet for their monthly reunions. They were the remaining five members of their naval unit. They had all trained together, fought the war together and survived.

They used to meet twice a year when there were more of them. Then, as the years went by and their numbers dwindled, it was clear they had to meet more often because time on the earth for all of them was getting shorter.

Leo wasn’t looking good the last time they met; in fact, Harry had called him to make sure he was still alive and would be there. Harry had a gift for him. It wasn’t anything new, but Harry had wrapped it anyway because he was certain it was something Leo would like.

Toast finished, Harry tucked the wrapped gift under his arm, checked his wallet to make sure he had enough money and went into the living room to say goodbye to his wife, June.

“Have to be going here, Junie. I have a long day ahead. Probably see ya' at supper. Yeah. Yeah. I’ll be careful. No harping.” In all their years of marriage, Harry never left the house without telling June he loved her and kissing her goodbye.

He kissed her goodbye and told her of his love, but Harry had only a photograph to kiss. Six months earlier, June had suffered a heart attack while driving and died.

He put the photo back on the mantel, grabbed his car keys and left his home.

Harry didn’t have much in his life now and he really looked forward to seeing his friends.

* * *

It was going to be a warm day for April; TJ could tell by the dew on the windows. Even though it was barely light out, he gave a solid, waking swat to his eight year old son’s behind to get him up and out of bed. “You don’t have time to eat. Let’s go, Ty.”

Tyler grumbled. “I’ll bring pop tarts.”

TJ chuckled. “You do that; you can eat them on the train. Now, let’s go.”

“I’m ready,” the child said groggily.

“You’re in bed.”

“I’m ready.”

TJ laughed and flung the covers from his son and saw he was fully dressed, including his shoes. This made TJ laugh harder. He should have expected as much. Tyler was so excited about going to work with his father. It was no wonder he was dressed and ready to go, that he had done so before he went to sleep.

Instructing Tyler to get up, brush his teeth and meet him downstairs, TJ left the room.

He was dressed down, wearing a pair of tan pants and a golf style shirt. It was allowed on ‘take your child to work day. TJ was comfortable. He was a fit man in his thirties. His hair was thinning with just a touch of grey. He was confident and charismatic, but he had to be that way. It was part of his job as a salesman.