No Soldier Left Behind and Other Stories by Hester Martinez

Author:Hester Martinez
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Military Family, Finding Love, Death, Cancer Treatments, Family Memories, American Soldier, War, Court Marshall, Mature
Publisher: Hester Martinez
Published: 2023-06-25T00:00:00+00:00

Peaceful Poison

The sound of machines beeping left and right filled the room, as did the sight of nurses and doctors roaming the floor. The poison was spreading throughout her body faster than ever before. Why didn't she follow the physicians' advice and get the suggested treatment? Nothing bothered her more than a life of agony and suffering. Vanessa was ready for what was to come. She was eagerly anticipating a life free of pain, knowing that soon the battle would be over and that serenity was knocking at her door, ready to take her away. Her nephew sat by her, desperate to assist find a remedy to the poison.

Her nephew said, "I will never comprehend your composure with death."

"Why should I panic?" Vanessa responded.

"Perhaps because you have cancer!" Her nephew shouted.

He became increasingly irritated because he could not comprehend how someone who had the possibility to get better should welcome death with open arms.

"You really intend to give up? You don't want treatment?" Her nephew exclaimed.

"What you refer to as giving up, I refer to as retiring my body." Vanessa chuckled.

Her nephew became even more enraged, unable to see how someone could find amusement in death. Vanessa grasped his hand from her deathbed and comforted him that life is too short to worry about things over which you have no control. He realized what she meant as tears streamed down his cheeks.

"You have to be a real lunatic to want to die," her nephew added.

His eyes welled up with tears as he realized time was running out. She gave him a pleasant grin and then told him that he obey her wishes.

"What if you accept the life-saving treatment in exchange for my vow to do whatever you want or need? Please." Her nephew stated.

"That will be a no from me. I have to let it run its course, honey, as much as I love you. And I've already told you a hundred times that I don't want treatment." She spoke up.

"I understand, but..."

"But nothing. It is my choice, and I am weary of everyone pushing me to get treatment because it is too late and I do not want it. You can either stay with me while I die or leave." She spoke up.

"I love you even if you're a lunatic." Her nephew said this as he grabbed the chair next to her bed.

Smiling, she felt a stinging pain in her breast again. As the sun set, she realized she was getting closer to peace one second at a time.

She was a family woman who made every effort to spend as much time with her children as possible. She began reminiscing about the events that would soon become memories. Her and her husband dancing at Christmas parties, children laughing and playing, and her cooking with everyone. However, there was one recollection that made her smile.

It was the holiday season. Snow covered the streets, children's laughter filled her ears, and the aroma of gingerbread houses baking filled her nose. On the porch, she finds herself seated next to her spouse, sipping hot cocoa.

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