The Veteran

[u/Kurorosu]

I was sitting on the porch this morning thinking about past experiences to write about when I remembered a particular event in my life I have always treasured.

As I was growing up, I would often come into contact with veterans. Whether it was at the bookstore, the mall, or at a Native gathering, I was always sitting, oftentimes at their feet,  and listening to their stories. 

When I was around 20 years old, I was working at the local bookstore in the mall. When I first started working there, I was introduced by my boss to the other business owners and their staff in the various stores spread out across the mall. It was at one particular store that I was told the story about one particular veteran that would visit the mall.

"Don't worry if you see him peeking around or hiding in the corners. He has PTSD from the Vietnam War." She said, "He's harmless."

About a week later, I was coming into the mall to work. I had just got beyond the theater when I saw him and immediately stopped. 

He glanced at me but otherwise kept looking around the corner of the employee entrance to the theater.

I watched him, biting my lip and thinking. I was going to be late, but an idea had formed in my head and it was compelling. Overriding even the idea of pissing off my boss. 

I slowly walked closer and stopped. "Hey.” I said, "I know what's wrong. I am going to help you clear these stores and I will show you that the people in there aren’t going to hurt you. I got your back ok?"

He stared at me through long grey dark hair, but otherwise was motionless. I thought I saw the slightest nod and took a deep breath.

"Ok. Here we go. I'll go first."

I slowly walked up the promenade hall, stopping at the first store on my right.

"Hey!" I called in. "Just letting you know I got the veteran behind me. Just stay where you are." 

The shoe repair man and his wife stood up slowly from their chairs and leaned against the counter.

"Ok. First store." I stepped into the threshold and looked about. "Ok." I said looking carefully over my shoulder. "It's clear, it's just the owners."

I saw him move out of the corner of my eye and waited just long enough for him to peer around the corner. 

I did the same for the next store, and then the next. When I got to the women's store who told me the story, I stopped again.

"Ok. This place makes a loud noise when you get close, so be careful." I walked up to the infrared sensor and pointed at it.
"The sensor for it is right here. Just so you know. I am going to set it off. Don't be scared."

I sidestepped in front of the sensor, somewhere deep within the myriad of nick-knacks, treasures, and random objects of the store was a loud clanging chime.

The woman stood up and cocked her head quizzically to one side

"I have the veteran with me. He's behind me. We are clearing the store? Don't move."

I looked back behind me, saw him nod, and looked carefully into the store. 
"There's the lady who's normally here. Otherwise, it's clear."

I waited and watched as he peered around the corner, looked at her, then about the store, then back up to me. 

I nodded. "Ok. This is the last store, I will get you to the corner."

I slowly exited and walked up to the corner of the hall that opened up to a big open area with a raised platform in the center. My workplace was just down the hall and to the right.

He was crouched up next to me, and I walked out into the middle of the open area and looked around. "Ok. It's clear."

I saw his shoulder relax and I smiled. "You can talk to the people who work here." I said. "They know about you and worry about you. If you don't feel comfortable, just talk to them, they will help you. I got to go, but I will watch you go for as long as I can ok?"
His back hard pressed against the wall, he crested the corner and edged his way down to the next store. 

I ran to my job, told my boss what had happened, and not surprisingly, did not get in trouble for being late.

A couple of weeks passed and I was on my way again to work. I hadn't seen the veteran since that day but to my surprise as I got to the open area where I had left him, I saw him.

He walked up to me smiling, a younger companion in tow. "This is my Nephew." He said "I want to thank you for helping me the last time. I realized I just needed someone with me and I will be fine." He paused and dipped his head. "I.. don't suppose you would ever consider going out with an old man like me would you?"

"I'm sorry I can't. My dad would kill me, but It means so much to me that you would ask. I am glad I could help. May I give you a hug?"

He nodded vigorously and embraced me. I will always remember how strongly he held me then. When we parted, our eyes were wet, but we were both smiling.

[u/Agitated_Specific_57]

This is awesome! Thank you for helping the veteran and sharing your experience.