Chapter 11: Joe

"Good morning, everyone. Welcome to our fine capitol building and thank you all for attending. I'll be sure not to take up too much of your time today. I would like to take a minute and recognize a few special guests that have joined us today. Most of you remember Senator Martin from the work he did for our troops in Europe during the war. Also, Dave Lawson with the Foreign Legion; he has worked for some time on the construction of the war memorial projects. And, finally, Congressman Dawson. Congressman Dawson has been instrumental in helping with our monument fund."

The governor looked over to the men sitting near the front row. He nodded to them as the rest of the onlookers applauded. Joe snapped shots of each of them and quickly jotted down notes in his logbook. After the applause stopped, the governor began again.

"You all know the war memorial down the street has been under construction for several years, and as we sit here this very minute, it's being completed. As this great monument is finished up, we will be hosting a ceremony dedicating it to our veterans. I want each of us to remember why our city began building this monument and the special guests here today were asked to attend because they are the very reason we could complete it. I want to take this time to thank all of those who have helped with the building fund and to remember all who served to make this country what it is."

Joe bristled at the governor's comments. The war monument he spoke of was a massive structure that was built near the middle of the city. It was built to remember the troops and lives lost in World War II. It was a giant limestone building with two large wings on either side of it. When Joe had seen the design for it all he could think about was how politicians seemed to be getting all the recognition for the war the soldiers fought. Joe took a deep breath, swallowing his irritation as he snapped another shot. The governor flipped a piece of paper over on the podium as he continued his speech.

"We will be holding a gala for the opening of the World War II Memorial on the seventh as we remember all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our fine country."

Joe still sat on the floor looking up at the governor. Disgust built in him; he couldn't stand to listen to politicians go on and on about the sacrifices of the troops. As he listened to him speak, he wondered if the governor had ever served a day in the military. Joe continued to listen as the governor droned on about the money he collected for the monument fund and how he had done so much to support "those brave veterans."

Joe couldn't listen anymore. He stood up from his spot on the floor as he glared in the governor's direction. He reached down, grabbing his camera bag, threw his note pad inside and turned toward the door. He grumbled under his breath.

"Goddamn Politicians."

The onlookers around him turned their attention from the governor and watched as Joe hurried out of the room. The governor looked on as he grabbed the microphone, covering it, and tried his best to quietly growl at his campaign manager to figure out what the problem was. Joe entered the hall and stepped out of view of everyone still in the room. He rested on the wall, taking a deep breath, and glanced over his shoulder back toward the doorway. He watched as he was sure someone would follow him, but no one did. He closed his eyes for a moment and tapped his head against the wall as he listened to the room falling silent again. Joe heard the governor clear his throat.

"Well, I guess I must have upset one of my Democrat friends,"

The room erupted with laughter. Joe felt foolish for having caused the scene, but he couldn't stand to remember the war. Every time he tried to forget it, it seemed some new monument was going up or some struggle overseas was threatening to pull him back in. Joe glanced to the doorway one more time, making sure the coast was clear and turned to make the long walk out of the building.

When he finally left the building, he walked down the steps and found the street. He didn't head back to the office or off to his other assignments; he wasn't sure where to go, so he started walking. He tried to clear his mind as he felt more foolish for letting his emotions get the best of him.

After he had been walking for about three blocks, he came to one of the large parks near the center of the city. He walked into the heart of it and found a large oak. Joe looked up to the thick canopy and turned around, looking into the distance to see the governor's precious war monument.

Joe had watched as the tall, white, obelisk-like building had taken shape over the past year. Most recently he had noticed the construction scaffolding coming down. As he stood looking at it, he saw nothing more than a waste of money. He didn't see a tribute or anything honorable for the men he'd lost in the war.

As he looked at it, the anger he felt spurred on thoughts of the war. Memories and faces from what seemed like a lifetime ago began to rush toward him. He turned from the monument and looked back to the north, all the while patting the tree as he attempted to ebb the flow of emotions filling his mind. He took a deep breath again, but nothing seemed to work.

Most of the time Joe could keep his thoughts under control, or at least he could distract himself enough that they didn't hurt him, but on some occasions, they got the best of him. He sighed loudly, trying to calm himself, and then let his mind wander for a moment as he pushed the faces of war away. He tried to think of anything that might help. He began to remember the sunrise that morning, and he even thought of the argument he'd had with his father, but that didn't even help. Joe took another deep breath, and then Elizabeth's name crossed his lips.

He patted the tree again as he steered his thoughts to her. He remembered how beautiful she was and how he had loved her since the first time he saw her. He could see the piercing blue of her eyes looking back to him from his memories. Joe took a deep breath and exhaled heavily.

He had heard some time ago that Elizabeth might be moving closer to home. He was sure that was why he had begun thinking of her again.

Joe and Elizabeth hadn't talked in years, and when they broke things off, they hadn't ended things in the best way. Joe had thought about how much he had hurt her and now, as the war he'd left her for consumed his thoughts, it was the thought of her that was saving him. He suddenly found himself wishing he could see her again if for no other reason than to tell her he was sorry.

The ball of emotions he had been faced with that morning had his mind on a roller coaster. He kicked at the ground and took another deep breath. He pursed his lips and blew out, and then he reached up, running his hand through his hair as he stepped back from the tree.