“What’s wrong with Daddy?” Sara asked her mother.
“Nothing, Honey. He just doesn’t want to be disturbed, that’s all. Run along now.”
“Are you sure he’s okay?” Jack asked. “He’s not like himself.”
“War does that to people. Now, be careful going across the bridge. Make sure you hold Sara’s hand tightly so that she doesn’t run off.”
“Mommy, if we see the beautiful insect, can we bring it home?”
“No, Sara.”
“But—“
“Oh, come along,” Jack said impatiently.
Jane watched them go. They too had noticed that their father had changed. The war and something else were responsible.
100 Words
This is part eight of the story about General Turpentine and Maddie, the African-American nurse he met and fell in love with during World War II.
This post is for the Friday’s Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. You can find this week’s prompt here. To read other stories or to participate, click here.
Notes to Women 
This just doesn’t seem to be heading for a happy ending!
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You’re right about that, Linda.
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Such a human story. I doubt if anyone sane can remain untouched by war. So well expressed.
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Thanks, Jenne. And I agree with you that everyone would have been touched by the war.
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“The war and something else”, eh? War itself is enough … and now there seems to be something added that does not bode well. This has a very Hansel and Gretel vibe to it …
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The something else isn’t anything sinister and the kids are safe but it could bring unhappiness to the family, particularly to the mother.
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Yes, I think I have a sense of what that might be, given how when one feels broken, they might roam away looking for something to fill the broken spaces and try to not look at what is a constant reminder of what was …
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For the General, it was more than the war which changed his life. It was falling in love with a nurse during the war. He’s physically home with his wife and their children but his heart and mind are elsewhere. The wife can handle the effects of the war but her husband falling in love with another woman…that’s a different story. She suspects that something else besides the war has changed him but doesn’t know what it is–yet.
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Ah! What a web that is, eh?
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It sure is a tangled mess.
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Seems a darkness is taking the poor man.
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He has fallen in love with a nurse whom he met during the war.
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Aww, not dark, romantic then. How sweet.
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No, it’s not dark but there is impending doom for his wife.
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Oh no!
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I’m afraid that this is one of those stories which will not have a happy ending 😦
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That’s okay. They cant all be happy.
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Dear Adele,
War does change people…particularly when there’s another love interest. Someone’s destined to be hurt in this series. You’ve got me hooked.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Yes, it does and having another love interest only complicates matters. And you’re right. Someone is going to get hurt. I’m glad you’re hooked. Stay tuned 🙂
Shalom,
Adele
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You seem to have left us all wondering about the ‘something else’ Intriguing.
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The ‘something else’ is revealed in previous parts of this ongoing series but so far, the General’s wife is kind of still in the dark. Stay tuned.
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What a great story. Lots of layers, and intrigue. Nicely done & very enjoyable read!
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Thank you so much 🙂 There’s more to come.
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likely suffering from post stress traumatic syndrome. he needs professional help, the sooner the better.
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Although he didn’t come out of the war unscathed, this suffering has to do with another woman.
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that’s sad.
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Yes, it is.
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War does indeed change a person. Great story, shalom, Bear
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Yes, it does. Thanks, Bear 🙂 Shalom.
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War changes people and the way they see their future, perceive their relationships and how they react to it. Thought-provoking. Without the war he may not have followed the new love.
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Yes, it does. And had it not been for the war, he wouldn’t have met the nurse and fallen in love with her. And he would be his old self.
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Here’s another example of “hidden victims.” No matter what Daddy’s going through, it’s going to have an adverse affect on the children, and they’ll never understand. It doesn’t look too good for Mommy either.
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You’re right. It’s going to have an adverse effect on them.
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Traumatized and distracted can be terrible barriers to healthy parenting…
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And barriers to a healthy marriage too.
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Yes!
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