Mike and the wall

Another rainy Midwest Summer Day and Mike sits on his porch wishing the rain would stop.  His game is at 4pm and if it doesn’t stop soon the end of life as he knows it will happen.  Then he sees a man walking down the sidewalk, rain soaked and tears upon his face.

“Mom, why is that man crying?” he asks.  “I don’t know hunny, he walks by everyday.  When he comes back he is crying.” His Mom replied.  “Hmm, he seems so sad can we give him a ride home?  He’s soaked.”  “Sure, let me get the keys and my purse.”

The pulls up along side the man and ask if he would like a ride. “No thank you, Ma’Am.” he replied in a polite tone.  “It is a great day for a walk.” Mike and his Mom drove back home.  This puzzled Mike something awful.  Why was he crying? Why didn’t he want a ride?

For weeks, Mike sat on the porch watching this man walk back and forth.  Then one afternoon he followed the man.  Slowly riding his bike behind him, he had to know where he was going.  The man didn’t seem to notice striding along at a brisk pace.  Despite the slight limp he seemed to have on his right side.

He turned on Porter Avenue and began to slow his pace.  Mike wondered why, the only thing out there in the middle of nowhere was the Veterans Memorial in the old park.  The man walked up to the wall with the names on it.  He fell over trying to pull the weeds along the bottom.  “Mister, can I help you up?” Mike asked.  “Yes, thank you sir.” the man replied surprised to see anyone.  “I didn’t know you were here.” he said.

“I followed you to see where you go everyday.  I wanted to know what makes you so sad.” Mike said.  The man just stood there for a while tears running down his cheeks.  He didn’t speak again to Mike after that.  Just politely walked away with a nod.  Mike followed him back by Mike’s house.  “Mike, where have you been?” His mom called out.

“I went to see where he goes Mom.  I wanted to know why he looked so sad.” Mike replied hoping to not get into trouble.  “Ok, but you be careful.  That park is not used anymore and it isn’t that safe.” His Mom warned.  “You knew where he went?” “Yes.”

Mike went on with the rest of his day, baseball practice, a game and bedtime.  The next day he waited again.  The man came striding as always down the street.  Mike approached him, “Sir, may I go with you today please?” Mike inquired.  “Ok, but no questions.” 

“Ok.  My name is Mike sir.”   “My name is John Wilkinson.” the man replied softly.  “It’s nice to meet you Mr. Wilkinson.” Mike replied.  “Thanks Mike, lets get going I don’t want to be late.”  They moved on quickly Mike was struggling to keep up till they hit the corner again.  John slowed up looking at his watch.

At 2pm on the dot, John walked up to the wall with the names on it.  Touched it, and bent over to get the weeds.  “I got that Mr. Wilkinson.” Mike said quietly.  “Thanks Mike.”  Suddenly John turned away the tears began to fall.  Mike wanted to know why but after all he promised no questions.

They walked quietly back to Mikes house.  “Thanks Mr. Wilkinson for letting me go with you.” “Thank you, Mike. I have a difficult time with the weeds.” he replied.  “Same time tomorrow?” Mike inquired.  “Sure.” John walked away with the tears still in his eyes.  Mike watched as he slowly walked away and he suddenly felt sad.  “Mom, can we get some flowers for the wall?”  “Ok, let’s go pick some out.” she replied

They had gone and picked out some nice flowers not too big, but just right to plant near the wall.  Mike took out a flower tool from shed and placed it on the porch with the flowers for the next day.  He was sure Mr. Wilkinson would appreciate the gesture.

The next day Mr. Wilkinson was on time as usual.  Striding at a faster pace he seemed to be rushed today.  “Let’s go Mike.  I’m late.” he said bluntly.  “Yes, sir.” Mike replied already in stride flowers in hand, tool in his back pocket.  They got to the corner and John didn’t slow down he kept striding along.  Mike was stunned.

They got to the wall, and John glanced at his watch.  “Damn, I’m late.” he said under his breath hoping that Mike didn’t hear him swear.  “May I plant the flowers here Mr. Wilkinson?” Mike asked.  “Over there Mike would be better I think.”  John watched as Mike planted the flowers and got some water from a nearby fountain.

Everyday for months they continued this ritual until school started.  Then Mike only made it on the weekends when he was home.  His Mom loved to visit his grandparents in the next town over and they usually stayed overnight. 

In late fall, school was out for Veterans Day.  Mike waited for Mr. Wilkinson this was of course what they had been doing all summer anyway.  Mike knew what the wall was for, just not why Mr. Wilkinson had to be there at 2pm.  That was still bothering him.  Maybe today he would find out.

Suddenly over the hill came Mr. Wilkinson in a suit with a bunch of ribbons on it.  He didn’t stop to talk, Mike just joined in the march as usual.  Mike was watching how tall today Mr. Wilkinson was moving.  He didn’t seem to limp at all.  Something was different today.  The got to the corner and John stopped, turned and looked at Mike.

“Mike you wait here today. I need a minute or two please.” he said somberly.  “Yes sir, whatever you want.  Is everything ok?” Mike asked disappointed.  “Yes, wait here for five minutes.”  He gave Mike his watch of his right wrist. Turned and kept walking.

Mike impatiently watched minutes tick away.  Then he heard some screaming coming from the Park.  It was Mr. Wilkinson’s voice and he was angry.  Mike ran to see what was going on.  When he got there two drunks were beating on Mr. Wilkinson calling him a baby killer.  Mike didn’t know what that was and didn’t care. 

They were hurting his friend. “Stop that.” Mike said.  The men looked at Mike and ran off.  Mr. Wilkinson lay silently on the pavement in front of the Wall.  He kept looking up at it.  He was too hurt for Mike to help up.  Mike looked at his watch, it was almost 2pm.  “I will do it for you, Mr. Wilkinson.  I will do it.”

As Mike touched the wall, not knowing the importance of what he was doing or why.  He began to cry as he seen all the names.  “Who are all these people, Mr. Wilkinson?” Mike asked.  John lay on the pavement crying touching his medals.  He kept rubbing the one around his neck saying “I’m sorry.”

“It’s ok Mr. Wilkinson.  You wait here; I will go get help for you.” Mike ran off.  He came back in a couple of minutes and Mr. Wilkinson was gone.  The medal around his neck was hanging on the wall.  “Son, if you’re playing a prank.  I am going to tell your Mom.” the policeman said.  “Mr. Wilkinson, was laying right there. I swear.” Mike replied.

“Who is Mr. Wilkinson?” the policeman asked.  “The man I have been walking to here with all summer.” Mike answered.  Mike grabbed the medal off the wall and followed the policeman to his car.  He gave Mike a ride home and spoke to his Mom for several minutes.  Then he left.

Mike’s Mom came out on the porch and sat next to Mike.  She took his hand and began to rub his fingertips that were holding the medal.  “Where did you get that?” his Mom asked.  “It was Mr. Wilkinson’s he left it at the wall.  Why?” Mike asked unsure why she looked so sad.

“Mike, there was an accident about an hour ago.” “Where?” Mike asked.  “Out by the park, near where you were.  The man you were walking with was involved.  Two men beat him to death.”  “But, I stopped them.  They ran off.” Mike began crying.

His Mom wiped away his tears.  “No, honey. He fought them off to protect you.”

“He was lying on the ground at 2pm.  I touched the wall for him.” Mike stammered.

“You did but they found the men, who admitted to hurting him.  He died protecting you.” Mom began tearing up.

“Mom, why are you crying?” Mike asked wiping the tears from his eyes.  “Mr. Wilkinson served with your Daddy.  He lost his leg taking a bullet meant for your Daddy. At 2pm, the very next day while Mr. Wilkinson lay in a hospital bed getting his medal you have there.  Your Daddy was shot and killed by a sniper.” His Mom grabbed him and pulled him into her.  “He tried to save both of you. He died being a hero.”