The Forgotten Land Read Online Free PDF

Steve could feel the salt crystals forming, and
rubbed them from his shoulders. He accepted a ham, tomato and cheese sandwich
from Judy with a smile.
    The
family ate together in silence, watching as the waves crashed against the beach
with soothing rhythm. The tide was coming in, and within twenty minutes the
sound of the ocean escalated as the water reached closer.
    “Want
to go back in?” asked Steve.
    “No
thanks, Dad,” said Kathy. She was lying back on a towel, a hat covering her
face from the sun. Brent was asleep on a towel. Judy had covered him with a
thin blanket.
    “What
time are you leaving?” Judy asked.
    “Early,”
replied Steve. “Probably five.”
    “Going
to say goodbye to the kids this time?” Judy asked.
    Steve
sighed gently. Here we go again, he thought.
    “I
do every time. Just because they are asleep most times doesn’t mean I don’t say
goodbye.”
    “Then
I have to deal with their questions in the morning, trying to explain where
their dad has gone and for how long, when I don’t even know?”
    “Bloody
hell Judy, do you want me to shake them awake and tell them I’m going away for
seven months and that they might not ever see me again? How does a child
process that? Very badly is my guess.”
    “You
could at least wake them up and tell them you’ll see them soon!”
    “I
kiss them on the head and tell them I hope to see them soon,” said Steve
looking out to sea.
    “That’s
not the same thing!”
    “Isn’t
it?” Steve asked, turning to face her. “Are you sure about that? Because where
I’m going the best I can do is hope to see you again. If I promise more than
that it’s nothing but a lie!”
    Judy
turned away. Her shoulders shuddered as the tears came. She cried silently,
trying not to disturb her children.
    “I’m
sorry babe,” Steve said pulling her to him. “I’m sorry,” he said again, kissing
her hair.
    The
family drove home in silence.
     That
night they watched Shrek together, and although Kathy had seen it several times
before, it was the first time Brent had seen the film. Whilst the kids and
Steve giggled together, Judy huddled quietly against her husband.
    In
the morning, he woke early and walked quietly into the kitchen to make himself
breakfast. Judy appeared in her nightgown bleary eyed.
    “I’ll
be ready shortly,” she said.
    “Okay,”
he said with a smile.
    At
06:30 hours, Judy drove Steve into the base. He leaned down next to the
driver’s side window, an overnight bag containing some belongings slung over
his shoulder. “We’ll be here for another six or seven days before we leave.
I’ll see if I can get home again soon,” he said reassuringly. Judy nodded her
head but didn’t reply. She was too busy trying to hold back tears. Steve smiled
and kissed her before turning and walking in the direction of the briefing
room.
    “Take
care Steve, I love you,” she called, her voice shaking. He did not hear her. As
it was each time this scene played out, her whole body was numb and the
familiar, doubtful feeling of whether she’d ever see Steve again filled her
mind.
    He
turned back and waved as he continued walking backwards.
    “Love
you babe,” he said as the doors to the building swallowed him up. He stopped to
watch Judy through the small window in the door as she turned the car around
and drove out towards the front gate.
    Steve
opened the briefing room door and stepped inside to see the disgruntled face of
Scott Gillman. Will McDonald was behind him, clutching a cup of coffee and
chuckling.
    “Ya
dickhead,” Scott blurted. “I asked for coffee, two sugars and milk. Never heard
of the NATO standard cup of coffee? Christ, if ya want something done, do it
yourself.”
    “Sorry
Scott, I could have sworn you said black tea,” smirked Will.
    “Dickhead,”
Scott repeated as he poured the tea down the sink. “Steve, how ya going mate?”
Will said.
    Scott
looked around. “Hey mate,” he called.
    “G’day
boys,” Steve greeted