Field of Blackbirds, Clayton Jeppsen & Lindsey Jeppsen [historical books to read TXT] 📗

good someday. With that, he said goodbye to his briefcase and all that it contained.
Radenko couldn’t hear gunfire but he saw puffs of dirt all around them as the bullets were burrowing in. He turned around and began firing his pistol as he walked backward. When his magazine was empty, Radenko turned back and began to pick up the pace. Soon they would be back with the rest of the convoy where they were setting up for a duel of more parity. A thought went through Radenko’s head. When Petrovich met him at the train station before he left Montenegro, he made a statement to Petrovich, “I’m a Lawyer, not a combat soldier.” How crazy that must sound now. Radenko mumbled to himself.

************

Lazar opened his eyes. He vomited and watched it splash on the ground. Was he still on that bumpy road, he wondered? He felt pressure on his stomach and then he began to make out what looked like the back of a man’s legs as they were moving swiftly. Then he heard heavy breathing, and gunfire . . . . . . . . . and then, he was out again.


Chapter 12 – The Italians


Mons, Belgium 1992

Marcielli had only been in Belgium for five days and he was already missing the ‘Beauty of Milan’. She was all he could think about. They were married in Duomo; Marianna in her Grandmother’s dress and Marcielli in a Giorgio Armani knock-off tuxedo, with Florentine by his side and half of the Italian National team behind them. The team respected Marcielli’s decision to serve his country before playing for his country. Some of the team members chipped in and sent the two on a fourteen-day Mediterranean cruise for their honeymoon.
As it turned out, Dominico and Rianna couldn’t attend the wedding. Rianna was heartbroken and inconsolable. It was Marcielli’s decision for them not to come for their own safety. Rianna made them promise to spend a couple days in Tivoli before they left on their honeymoon. The good news was, the two men in black didn’t make it either and Marianna was relieved at that. She credited their absence to the plethora of military personnel at the wedding. Both Marcielli and Marianna claimed the day to be the best of their lives. Marianna is every bit of the wife Marcielli imagined her to be and she seemed to get more beautiful every day they spent together. Because they lived on the base, this was the first time they had been apart. The mission was said to last as long as two months.
Florentine dropped a bag of soccer balls next to Marcielli. “You talked me into this so I get home-court advantage.”
Florentine laughed, knowing that all three of them were far from home. Marcielli tied his cleats and pulled up his socks so his knees rested just above the stripes.
“Hey just bust your butt out there so I can get back to Milan faster.”
Marcielli thought of how Florentine had been such a good friend over the years. Florentine didn’t make the National team. His sacrifice was for Marcielli, by devoting a couple years of his life to join the military with him. Marcielli felt he owed him for his loyalty.
“You mean to tell me that the Bells don’t play soccer. How is it that we got the whole soccer field to ourselves?” Angelo zipped his windbreaker all the way to his chin to block the snow and cold air.
Sgt. Angelo Gotti was a bit too stocky to be a great soccer ball player. But he loved the sport and he was taking advantage of the fact he could learn from a National player like Marcielli. “Let’s play ball. That’s an order!” he would say.
Marcielli didn’t mind following orders, especially those kinds.
“Sarge, I’ve seen the Bells play. They’re just not fanatics like us, who play in the freezing cold weather.” Florentine added, as he popped a soccer ball up with the tip of his shoe and then bounced it off of his knee.
“Any word on when we’re shipping out Sarge?” Marcielli removed a ball from the bag and kicked it up to Angelo who was already heading out into the field.
“I’m not in charge of this mission Marcielli. I’m still waiting for the orders. I imagine once we’re briefed, we’ll spend about a week in planning. Because of the work we’ve done with the Croatians and our Intel studies of the Balkan region, you can bet that we’re probably going down there. There are rumors of more conflict and disorder in Kosovo.”
The cold didn’t bother Marcielli. Every year before the regular season his college would spend time in Warsaw, Poland at a soccer camp. An athlete who trained in the cold and higher altitude could dominate in any environment.
Marcielli noticed a man sitting in the bleachers at the far end of the field. He had been there the whole time. Marcielli thought about asking him to join them, but he was dressed in full uniform, an American uniform. Then Marcielli wondered why he was there. Americans aren’t really soccer fans.

************

Reed watched the Italians as they played. They were exactly where Sam said they would be, “On the field”. Eventually he was going to introduce himself. But for now, he just wanted to watch them play. He wasn’t much of a soccer fan, but these guys seemed really good.
Reed pulled a letter from his jacket. It was from Lindsey. He had already read it three times. Regardless, he began reading it again.

“Dear Mr. Sergeant, (Reed always appreciated Lindsey’s humor)

Eight months down, how about that? I wish I could say it’s gone by fast, but the truth is, time seems to just stand still without you by my side Reed. I’m trying to keep myself busy to help pass time. I enrolled in school and I’m still working at my Dad’s office. Between the two, I’ve managed to have no social life whatsoever. With my best friend / love of my life halfway across the world, it’s the way I prefer it. When I’m feeling lonely, I just stop by your house for a quick ‘Reed fix’. I adore your family. When I’m around them, it almost feels like you’re home. Last Sunday your mom invited me over for Sunday dinner; pot roast and mashed potatoes, your favorite! Sorry to rub it in. Your mom promised to give me cooking lessons while you’re gone. By the time you get home I’ll be a regular Betty Crocker.
Everyone is doing great. Reddin can’t keep the girls away, but he doesn’t seem to mind that challenge. Gracie is as beautiful as ever and is the proud new owner of my pink and purple Buick Skylark. I sold it to her last month. Your parents are as eager as I am to have you home safe. I am trying so hard to be strong and not think of the ‘what ifs’. At times, I let my mind get the better of me and I start to think of what could happen in such circumstances. I pray every minute of every hour that you’ll come back to me Reed. When you do, I never want to be away from you, not ever. I love you more than my heart can take. Without you, I am not whole. May god be with you till we meet again. I love you.


- Love Lindsey

Reed could almost see the look on her face as she wrote the letter. He missed that, the look, her voice, the way she felt when he wrapped his arms around her. It sounds like she’s doing well, Reed thought, surviving.
At first, time seemed to pass quickly because of the newness of it all and the amount of training he had gone through. But recently, time began to thicken, which gave Reed a lot of time to think about Lindsey. For the most part, he was happy to go on this mission. It would account for a small block of his tour. It would hasten his return to Lindsey.
Reed folded up the letter and tucked it away. He saw the Italians taking a break, sitting in the middle of the field. He thought this would be a good time to introduce himself to his men. Not to mention, he didn’t think he could stand the cold much longer. As he approached, one of them stood up and met him halfway.
Angelo gave a sort of tired salute and then extended his hand, “Good afternoon Sir! Sergente Angelo Gotti. What can we do for you?”