A Family's War: A Short Story

I remember the day pa got his draft letter for the war, just barely eligible with his old age. He had become frail over the years, constantly working to support the family; I walked into ma’s room to find her sobbing uncontrollably. Out of my other two siblings, I was the oldest, just barely in the grasp of understanding what was going on. What I did know was as pa leaves, I must be courageous, I must protect my family and I mustn’t let him down. She desperately begged me not to tell them, not wanting to put a count down on our last few weeks with him. Ma didn’t work back then, she needed to be home with Lucy and George, as well as to cook and clean. I knew her mind was overwhelmed with what she would have to do once he left, so she could support my siblings and I. She had no time for herself, much less working. We both looking at one another and nodded as if our unspoken words had been heard. I knew what my role would have to become.

I remember the day pa got his draft letter for the war, just
He had become frail over the years, constantly working to support the family; I walked into ma’s room to find her sobbing uncontrollably. Out of my other two siblings, I was the oldest, just barely in the grasp of understanding what was going on. What I did know was as pa leaves, I must be courageous, I must protect my family and I mustn’t let him down. She desperately begged me not to tell them, not wanting to put a count down on our last few weeks with him. Ma didn’t work back then, she needed to be home with Lucy and George, as well as to cook and clean. I knew her mind was overwhelmed with what she would have to do once he left, so she could support my siblings and I. She had no time for herself, much less working. We both looking at one another and nodded as if our unspoken words had been heard. I knew what my role would have to