Catching Fish

Sam Lovetro

Holding the cold, dense, metal mass, the reality of the damage the little pineapple shaped weapon can cause enters his mind.  His heart begins to race and beads of sweat dot his brow.  The potential for destruction never taken for granted.  Pulling the pin, his adrenaline kicks as he throws the grenade, relieved to have it out of his shaking hand.  With a kerplunk, it hits the surface of the lake and quickly sinks.  Moments later, the surface erupts with a fountain of water from the explosion.  The casualties of the battle float to the surface presenting the win for the anticipating soldiers.

A quick glance over to his buddy reveals the excitement with the catch of the day.  A slap to his knee and he’s off to gather the fish.  Dozens of them, perfectly in tact, float dead on the surface of the fishing hole.  They will provide dinner for a few families, themselves and potentially turn in to profit when they are sold to other soldiers.  A diversion from Army cuisine is always a welcome change.  For a few moments, the young soldiers forget where they are and playfully gather the fish, joking and dreaming of the women they hoped to meet later in town.  Escaping the reality that they are at war in France is a pleasant diversion.

Before heading back, they lounge on the shore and enjoy a cigarette.  Careful not to use up his supply, my grandfather is greedy in utilizing the commodity for his personal use.  Always resourceful, he knows they can be sold and has no problem making the sacrifice.  A frugal man, he’s aware he may be returning home to a family in need.  His sister, 10 years younger, resides with an aunt after their mother was institutionalized for epilepsy.  He and his sister moved in with the aunt when it became clear that their father was interested in the help he brought in to care for the home and family.  My grandfather shakes his head at the thought of his father finding comfort with the live-in maid and selfishly choosing to upset the already fragile state of the remaining family.  He knows his brothers would feel the same way.

Briefly he lets his mind wonder to his siblings and wonders where they could be and for a fleeting moment, contemplates if they are still alive.  He knows they are.  He feels it.  His older brother Nick, is also serving in the Army, Eddie and Tony, the younger brothers, are in the Navy.  He looks forward to the day when he will see all of them again.

A wrestling noise in the surrounding bushes brings him back to the present moment.  Your guard can’t be let down for too long as their are always German soldiers to be aware of.  With that thought, he jumps to his feet, eager to make a special delivery to a family he has become quite attached to.  Having very little food to live off of, the fish and any other provisions that he manages to find brings much needed comfort. The smile that always appears on the boy’s face, warms his heart instantly.  However, it is what he sees when their eyes meet that has him returning again and again.  If only he could provide some solace and eliminate the fear from the young boy’s eyes.

This short story is based on actual events during my grandfather’s time serving in World War II.  He is no longer here to share the actual account, so I created what I imagined happened based on the facts that our family remembered him sharing.  This is one of many that I am compiling in to a book so they will never be forgotten.