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Silent Battlefields
“Experience reading two pages from Silent Battlefields: A novelby Hugh Rosen.By the time Thomas parked in front of the home of theEisenstadts, he felt ready to face the enemy like a trainedwarrior. Yet he was a peaceful warrior and hoped that he couldevade combat. If he had to, though, he would defend himselfagainst assault and rescue his captured comrade, as well.Mathew, standing between Thomas and his parents, made theperfunctory introductions. The four of them then adjourned tothe living room to chat before dinner. Eva was the first tospeak once they were seated. “Thomas, we’d like you to know howvery thankful we are for your helping Mathew when he was in sucha tight spot that night a few months ago.” “Yes, from whatMathew tells us things could have gotten a lot worse if ithadn’t been for you,” Nathan said. “What you did was actuallyrather heroic. You could have just looked the other way and notgotten involved.” “I guess it was a lucky thing that I wasnearby. Anyway, I was glad to help out. I’m sure Mathew wouldhave done the same for me.” “No doubt about it,” Mathew said,”but I hope I never have to. Besides, I’m not sure I would havebeen quite as successful at it as you were.” He sealed the endof his statement with an impish smile. “How about if we not talkabout it anymore?” Thomas said, feeling somewhat awkward overthe unexpected attention and praise. He punctuated his plea byraising his index finger to his pursed lips–a gesture he hadpicked up from his father. Suddenly, Eva was startled by anillumination. It was as if the young German soldier who hadspared her life almost three decades ago during the war weresitting before her. “Eva, are you all right? You look so paleand frightened suddenly.” “Mom, what’s wrong?” Mathew echoed.Thomas sat uncomfortably, baffled as he watched Eva. She wasstaring at him, yet it felt more as if she were staring rightthrough him into another time, another world. “Yes, yes, I’m allright,” She hastily assured them as their voices pulled her backto them. “My mind had just begun to wander. I’m sorry,” shesaid, directing this last comment to Thomas. She hadn’t plannedon serving dinner this early, but the need to be alone wasoverwhelming. Eva excused herself and went to the kitchen forfinal preparations of the meal. Memories of that fatal day longago marched through Eva’s mind as she went about the task ofputting the finishing touches on the dinner. When she looked up, she saw Nathan coming into the kitchen. He took herin his arms and gently drew her close to him. “Nathan,” shewhispered in his ear, “Thomas looks so much like the youngGerman boy who was in the attic with us the day my parents died.It’s uncanny.” “He obviously resembles him in some way, and thatstartled you.” “The moment he first entered I thought he lookedvaguely familiar. But it wasn’t until he put his finger to hislips–it was like seeing a phantom.” “And that’s all it was–anillusion.” Eva kissed Nathan on the cheek with gratitude for histenderness toward her. Their love for one another had been calmand steady over the years, if never one distinguished for itspassion. Thomas and Mathew remained silent in the living room.The situation had left them both feeling a bit awkward. Thomaswas the first to speak. ‘I don’t understand, Matt.” “I can’t sayI know, either. Remember, both my parents have been through alot during the old days, and sometimes it seems that even theslightest thing can trigger off a reaction. I’m sure this hadnothing to do with you at all.” Mathew was not above telling alittle white lie if he thought it would put his friend at ease.”She sure seemed upset about something. Do you think I ought toleave?” “Are you kidding? Then she’d really be upset.” “I can’thelp thinking that it has something to do with, you know, mybeing German.” “Nah, my mom doesn’t hold all Germans responsiblefor what happened to her during the war; especially people whoweren’t even alive at the time.” “A lot of people do, you know.”"Probably not as many as you think.” “I’d like to believe you’reright.” “Heck, it would be like those Christians who say allJews are guilty of Christ’s death.” “Yeah, but you’re talkingabout making sense, Matt. What makes you think people are sorational all the time?” It did not escape Mathew’s notice thatthis was the first time Thomas had ever addressed him by aninformal version of his name. He didn’t want to read too muchinto it, but he hoped that perhaps this signified the emergenceof a new stage in their developing friendship. “You’ve got agood point there.” “I guess I’m just antsy today, meeting yourparents for the first time and all.”—————————————————————— Read the whole story now. Get the book from www.HughRosen.com or www.Amazon.comEmail the author : seanplato@aol.com
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