The Funeral
It was a clear sunny day. The type of day you knew everything was right with the world. Anthony married Pauline and saw his two children brought into in the world on a day just like it. So yes, with all he had done, and all he had seen and experienced; it only seemed right that it would also be a good day die.
When the local newspaper ran the obituary his wife received a notarized letter from the State Department requesting she postpone the funeral. Not understanding the request, but seeing how the letter came from the State Pauline obliged and held off the arrangements. Only Ralph, her son understood what was happening, and Ralph decided it was too early to say anything so he bit his tongue; intent to see how things played out first. Something's were better left unsaid, at least for now.
When the local paper ran a list of Dignitaries who where scheduled to attend the funeral the whole family was more then surprised. What could Anthony have done in his life to attract people of this nature? Why was the president of China, a New York Senator, one of the Cardinals from the Vatican and entrepreneur Richard Logan publicly announcing they were attending the funeral when none of them address the family personally? Pauline couldn’t decide if she was honored or insulted although she was leaning towards insulted. The obituary stated only that he died at 82 years old, born in New York City and ran a small construction company. He left behind his wife Pauline of 57 years and twins, a son Ralph and a daughter Dr. Bella Conte and four grand children. There was nothing about his military service, but that was because as far as Pauline knew Anthony had never served in the military, and so she never added it in when she wrote the obituary.
Throughout the week Pauline received phone calls from various high ranking officials stating they were glad to hear Anthony had indeed survived the war and had lived a full life; for they were under the impression he had died years ago in a Korean prison camp. Confused, Pauline insisted they must have the wrong man. Her husband was never in a Korean prison camp, he never even went to war. He had asthma and so he failed the physical at the time of the draft. Still every one of the callers insisted they had the right Anthony and deep down Pauline knew they did because they knew things about him they could not know. Which only made Pauline wondered about her husband. What other secretes did he hide and why did he feel he couldn’t tell her? Call after call was the same. Men and women insisting they knew Anthony during the war; thrilled he had somehow made it home and how they would be honored to come pay their respects to such a man and his family.
Throughout the week Pauline received phone calls from various high ranking officials stating they were glad to hear Anthony had indeed survived the war and had lived a full life; for they were under the impression he had died years ago in a Korean prison camp. Confused, Pauline insisted they must have the wrong man. Her husband was never in a Korean prison camp, he never even went to war. He had asthma and so he failed the physical at the time of the draft. Still every one of the callers insisted they had the right Anthony and deep down Pauline knew they did because they knew things about him they could not know. Which only made Pauline wondered about her husband. What other secretes did he hide and why did he feel he couldn’t tell her? Call after call was the same. Men and women insisting they knew Anthony during the war; thrilled he had somehow made it home and how they would be honored to come pay their respects to such a man and his family.
(End of Section) By Ralph Di Filippo
I hope you enjoyed this first section of the first draft of my Uncle's Book. This is only the start of the first chapter. As well as working on my own manuscripts I am in the process of helping him edit his work. Please let us know what you think in the comments section. Thanks and Happy Monday- Cynthia
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