I walk into the VA hospital and pass through two crowded waiting rooms, urology and oncology, before reaching my waiting room: neurology. Each space overflowing with men along in years, Vietnam carved into our faces, we sit and wait. Time ticks away. We wait. Wait. The waiting. Not long now.
Nick Di Carlo has been knocking around this planet for seven decades and a bit. He writes short stories to avoid looking into mirrors and watching clocks. His stories can be read in Muleskinner Journal, Flash Fiction Magazine, Guilty Crime Story Magazine and Shotgun Honey.
powerful. Thank you very much.
Joanna, thanks so much for reading and responding.
Powerful and moving
Teresa, thanks for your generous response.
This touched me.
Fiona, it’s always great to hear that from a reader. Thank you.
Super good, Nick 🙏
Thank you. ❤️
Paul, Thanks so much for a great response.
So powerful, Nick. War is a life sentence isn’t it. ‘Vietnam carved into our faces’ is an incredible line.
Gabrielle, Thank you for your wonderful response to this story.
Well said! I was about to add, the Vietnam war ever end?
Marc–for some time I’ve thought of the Vietnam “conflict” as having no resolution. It was the war everyone wanted to forget while creating what I have called the New Lost Generation. Soon, folks won’t have to think about it at all.
Very touching… thank you so much for sharing!
And thank you very much for your kind response.
Very gripping imagery, the passing through the wards of the VA hospital echos the passing of the decades of the lives of the men, veterans, now on site, facing the inevitable passage of life. The story brings forth a deep pathos, especially for those of us who have friends and family members who have served and survived Vietnam. Thank you Nick for writing this piece.
Hi Nick: It packs a short, sharp punch which is exactly what a 50 word story should do.