The phone rang from the living room. Sarah Charlotte was busy making her cherished pancakes for the evening. She quickly dashed out of the kitchen to pick the call.
"Hello mum, it's Ben."
Oh, how do you do, son? Good to hear from you."
'How do you do', he responded.
"Mum, I will be home next week Tuesday. My final paper comes up on Monday."
"That's great, son. Am glad to hear that. Looking forward to seeing you."
"Same here, mum. Have missed home.
"Till then, mum. Bye for now."
"Take care, son."
Ben was studying Engineering at the University College, Dublin. Ben had topped his class as the best graduating student. This brought much solace, and fulfilment to his mum.
His mum had visited the grocery over the weekend to pack the house full with all vitals in anticipation of Ben's return from school.
(Ben's Final Arrival from School)
The blaring horn of the car, a taxi Ben boarded home from the train station, announced his arrival.
"Hey, Mr Brown. I appreciate your calm driving." (Ben handed over some wands of notes)
'It was a pleasure, Ben.'
Ben alighted, picked his luggage from the booth, and headed to the door.
(Sarah aimed for the door as the bell rang)
'Oh son, it's you. Glad you are finally home. How was your trip?'
"Mum, it all went well. Am happy to see you." (they both exchanged a warm embrace)
Ben sat at the dining after a warm shower. Mum served him his favourite dish; Irish bread pudding with Caramel sauce. Ben and mum conversed late into the night.
"Mum, it was my final exams. The project defence signalled the completion of my course. I had a great time during the final internship. The experience was indeed exhilarating."
"Am glad you have finally completed your undergraduate study. It's quite fulfilling to know you were also the best in your class. You have rewarded me immensely, by putting in your best. Am so proud of the son you have become. You have my congratulations, Ben."
"Thank you so much, mum. Thanks for being a true pillar of support. I so much cherish and appreciate you. Without your efforts, I could not have gotten to where I am today."
'That's okay, Ben.'
"It's time to take another giant leap forward."
'That's so crucial, mum.'
"There are lots of things you need to consider now, as you move ahead."
"You are right, mum. I understand your concerns. I have some great plans drawn up already."
'That's great. We shall discuss better tomorrow. You need some rest now.'
"Yes, mum. I need a long rest. School work could be very tedious; especially, in the finals."
'Taking some days on exclusive rest is most essential at this time.'
'I will sure work on that. Thanks, mum.'
See you tomorrow, son.
That decision to join the military college for the requisite training after Ben's undergraduate study, was a choice his mother took with dismay. It sounded incredulous to her, due to a shocking memory, the army experience had slammed at her.
Sarah Charlotte, Ben's mother, lost her husband who was a soldier during the Congo crisis. This had left indelible scars, which was still taking time to heal. Her niggling condition lasted for a while, especially when she needed to fiend for her children. Although, she got her husband's entitlements, and adequate compensation from the government of Ireland, this was incomparable to the support and efforts her husband would have offered his family, if he were to be alive.
Sarah had not relented in quenching her son's dream. She broached the subject of his dad's demise, when he initiated the idea a day after his arrival. Amazingly, Ben was resolute.
He tactically made his mum see reasons for his decision. The heated argument started a day after his arrival from school. Ben's sister was summoned by their mum as a ploy to make a convincing move against his decision. His implicit and meandering reactions, became a build up to every point he made. His responses took a grip on the conversation as he patiently convinced his family into buying his decision.
"I have no other job am looking at, other than the military, mum. My field of study will produce a long-term impact afterwards. I don't have to be a combatant throughout my service years. In the cause of time, I will engage in other aspects aside war missions. Come to think of it, I could have objected to the idea of going through the university, because it's not a prerequisite in the military service. Due to my long-term goals, I pictured it into fruition."
"No problem, let's be hopeful it turns out as planned, Ben."
'Yes, it will, Tilda.'
Please, excuse me for a moment. (Ben got up)
"Mum, you've got to leave Ben for now. His mind is made up on this. As you can see, he is decided to embark on this mission. Let's support him in our best ways. It's a suggestion, mum."
'That's all you have to say, Tilda?'
"Mum, I repeat, let us agree with him on this. What else would you do to dissuade one who is so determined? Fine, the idea is not bad in its entirety. Is it?
"You've got to take it easy, mum. All will be fine."
The face-off from a sort of imbroglio between Sarah and her dear son, Ben, lasted for a while. Everyone had to accept the new face of the sky, dawning on the Charlotte's family. This unearthed a replay of the events in the life of their father; a brief reminiscence of Tony Charlotte.
Sarah at first, tried to take it calmly with her son, in a bid to manoeuvre him out of his wish.
"Ben, you knew how I had to confront the realities, and challenges that accompanied the loss of your dad."
A short script of the life of Tony Charlotte was played back in a flashback to Ben. Yet, Ben stood his ground irreversibly.
"Just count me out of your rash and inconsiderate decision", Sarah revolted.
She saw her son's determination as an incautious step.
They kept dragging the matter back and forth, with no clue of any, willing to succumb to the wish of the other.
"I would not support this for any reason you may put forward, mum protested.
"Try to understand, mum. I have a vigorous passion for the military mission."