Cordova, Illinois
1946
Not many people think corn fields make pretty scenery. But today to Ralph they are the most beautiful thing in the world. It is something he had been waiting to see for a long time. As the Greyhound bus kept rumbling along, more and more of the outside world started to look familiar. This is were Ralph has been waiting to get back to, home. He had been gone a little over two years. Gone to places a farm boy from Illinois never knew existed. Normandy, Rhineland, Ardennes Forest , Holland and many places in between. The war was over for home and he was glad to be coming home and getting his life started. When the bus stopped he stepped off and looked around the small town as if were New York City. Duffle bag over his shoulder he started walking down the street, headed home. He did not walk long before a pick-up pulled up beside him. “Ralph Chambless! Get in I know were your headed.” The old man behind the wheel was Lester Brumly, he owned the farm next door to Ralph’s family. You could say next door neighbors, but there was 800 acres of corn between them. Ralph threw his bag in the back and quickly got inside. “Thanks Lester.” Lester asked a million questions and Ralph did his best to answer them. The twelve miles from town to Ralph’s farm seemed like a million. The closer they got it seemed like the slower they were going. When Lester turned the Chevy up Ralph’s drive way he stared at the house with wild eyes. Before the truck came to a stop Ralph jumped out. “Thanks Lester, I’ll see ya later!” He ran to the front door, dropped his bag on the porch and ran inside. “Mom, Dad, anybody! I made it, I’m home!” He heard a plate drop in the kitchen. Before he could run in there, his teary eyed mother ran into his arms. “Thank God you made it back!” She hugged him so tight he could hardly breath. “Let’s go get your dad and Billy, there in the field.” the two of them got in to the truck and started driving. Minutes later the dust being kicked up from behind a Minneapolis-Moline tractor. Ralph started blowing the horn as he drove toward the tractor. The tractor stopped and a tall slender man got down from the seat, and started running toward the truck. Ralph met him at the edge of the field. “Damn it boy, you’re a sight for sore eyes. Me and your mom ain’t slept a wink since you left.. To hell with picking, let’s go to the house.” They drove to another field and picked up his younger brother Billy. Billy was only fourteen when Ralph left, he will 17 in a few months. Ralph hardly recognized him.
Back at the house they all sat on the porch drinking ice tea. Everyone had questions. “What was it like? Were you scared? Were did you go?” questions and answers were flying out faster than tracer rounds in a fire fight. After about forty five minuets of questions, Jack, Ralph’s dad got up. “I’ll be right back, ya’ll wait here.” minuets later he returned carrying a box and then placed it on Ralph’s lap. Ralph opened the box inside was a brand new Winchester model 12 shot gun. “I know a gun is prolly the last thing you wanna see now. But I knowed you wanted one ‘fore ya left. “I love it.” That’s all Ralph could say. Tears filled his eyes as he stood up a shouldered the gun. “Season opens next month. If ya think you’ll be ready we’ll go.” he sat the gun down and hugged his father. “I’ll be ready, duck hunting is one of the things I missed the most. I ain’t seen a Mallard in forever.”
For the next few weeks he took it easy. Catching up on sleep, eating some good home cooking and readjusting to civilian life. He got reacquainted with the farm and town, but most important with Mary Nell. Every evening was spent at her house. They talked of getting married. Ralph saved his money to put down a some land and build a house. Just like his grand father and father, he to would farm the land.
The big day was finally here, opening day. Ralph, jack and Billy were standing in waist deep water, huddled beside an Oak Tree. The decoys were set and Ralph had a firm grip on his model 12. The three men talked while waiting. Ralph was excited, it had been so long since he had been hunting. As they talked a group of Mallards circled the tree tops. Ralph but the Olt D-2 his lips and called to the ducks. Letting them know it was ok to come in. They circled again, this time lower. Again he talked to the ducks through his call. Once again they circled this time they cupped there wings and started coming in. Jack and Billy shot. Ralph shouldered his gun, but did not shoot. Four fat, corn fed Mallards laid dead on the water in the decoys. “Why didn’t you shoot Ralph, they were all over us.” Ralph waded out and picked up a drake. He stood there looking at his green head. He held it up and stroked it as if were a family pet. He retrieved the other ducks and did the same to all of them. He then waded back to the tree. Billy again asked, “Why didn’t you shoot. He stood there a moment then answered with a grin. “This time I didn’t have to.”
Homecoming Hunt
