UGLY
UGLY is a short fictional story, the character inherited the harsh reality of loss, failure, and the horrendous images of war during the Vietnam War. He is homeless and alone, partly due to his mental health demeanor. At a time where he starts to realize that he is at a bad point in his life, he meets an unusual friend that teaches him the power of love. There is no way that one can know what someone is going through with any mental illness. We can only depict the feelings and try to empathize.
Enjoy!
It was a clear spring night in central Texas. The moon lit the city park and there were no bugs out. Any man or woman would of enjoyed that night. The park was well lit with beautiful antique city lamp posts and the comfortable benches were wide and levelled, which made it easy to lay down on. The park was located in the downtown area of the city, which made it convenient to travel to grocery stores, clinics, and many other businesses.
Frank Long did not see what most would through his eyes and heart. Frank was bitter and frightened. He was in his mid 60’s and was relatively healthy, given his living situation. That night he sat on the bench pondering about his past with a quart of cheap beer that he bought with his daily collection of handouts. Frank prayed, as he did most nights, alone. He asked God to help him. He had fantasized that someone would come and pull him out of his situation. He asked himself, where did 30 years of his life go? It was all a blur to him. He just noticed he had been wearing the same green camouflage pants and a tattered brown shirt for months. The shoes he had on were moist and his socks had a strong fungus smell. It felt as if he had just woken up from a coma. He had realized again, that he was living a bad life.
Frank began to reminisce on his past, he was once married to his high school crush and they had a child together. Frank had served in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman some 40 years ago during the Vietnam War. He had enlisted right after graduating high school. HM2 Long or “Doc” was what he was once called by his peers. He was attached with a Marine Company in the Vietnam War to assist as a combat medic. During his tour in Vietnam, his son, who he had named Frank Jr. and wife, Mary Ann, were involved in a fatal car crash. Frank lost his son, but his wife survived. He wasn’t told about his son’s death, not until three months later when he arrived back on base, right after fighting in a combat zone. This was very disturbing for Frank. He felt if he stayed back home and not enlisted, his family would still be together.
Frank was lost in his thoughts sitting on the bench all by himself. He then thought of all the death he was surrounded with. Even after the war and in his home country, he saw countless deaths all around. Just recently, about a week ago he was walking in an alleyway and found Old Man Jones laying on the ground dead. Old Man Jones was still clutching onto his bag of aluminum cans that he would collect for money. Old Man Jones died of a heart attack was what the police had told Frank.
Then a woman’s voice erupted the silence. It was another homeless citizen who knew him. “Excuse me, Frank?”
“What do you want, Rose?” Frank responded, irritated.
“Be careful with an ugly yellow dog. It almost bit me.”
“I dont give a shit about some ugly dog. Leave me alone.”
“You don’t have to be so rude, Frank!” Rose yelled out as she wobbled away towards the darkness.
Frank knew he was hated, hell he hated himself too. He had no control over his anger and emotions. He felt he was the angel of death at times. Everyone he got to know would end up dead or he would lose their friendship at some point. Sitting on the bench Frank started to let out a tear. His heart was beating faster and his breathing was shallow and fast. Thinking of all the death and loss. Losing his son and divorcing his wife was still unbearable, even after 30 years.
Just as Frank was sobbing the yellow dog Rose had spoken of walked over, but stayed a distance away. The dog just watched as Frank was crying. Frank looked up and saw the yellow dog.
“Get… Get out of here!”
The dog just stayed there watching Frank, then sat down and tilted it’s head. The dog was a yellow female labrador mix. Probably mixed with a pit bull. Her snout and head were squared and she was medium sized. Not too large and not too small.
“Ahh Shit, Well then stay there you stupid mutt!”
Frank gave up getting the dog to leave and laid down on the bench. He closed his eyes and then a bright light lit his face. It was a spot light from a police cruiser. The local city police would patrol the park at night and they knew Frank.
“Frank, You need to leave the park. Park closes at 10:00 P.M.”
“Yeah I’m going.” Frank said, frustrated.
“You know what? You all need to do your jobs and get the real criminals instead of harassing people. There’s a vicious dog loose out here.”
Frank looked around, but the dog was gone. It must of left when the police car arrived. Frank gave up the argument and started walking away to a spot in the alley where the police didn’t bother any of the homeless. That’s where a lot of the homeless would sleep. At one point, most of them had tents living in a wooded area near the train tracks, a church would donate the tents and they would all sleep in them. It wasn’t until there was crime in their little tent city that the police put a stop to it. The city came up with a city ordinance to discontinue their little community. City Ordinance #365: No camping within the city limits. Aside from that the police were stating that the land they were camping on belonged to the railroad, and it was trespassing. The Railroad Police were all in on it as well.
The next morning Frank woke up with the sun hitting his face, drying up the condensation on his damp clothes. The roar of cars passing by and birds chirping were all familiar sounds Frank would hear at the start of the day. His daily routine was going to a nearby convenience store to display a cardboard sign that read “Homeless in Need of Money or Food”. Frank would occasionally get kicked out, but he knew of several other spots to walk to. There was a group of homeless that wanted to collect money from other homeless, if they were caught in areas they ran. Kind of like a homeless mafia, Frank would give what he could to them without hesitation.
That day Frank was out soliciting, the same dog that appeared the night before was out next to him. This time the dog got closer to Frank.
“Oh, not again. Get out of here you ugly mutt!”
The dog did not listen and just laid down on the concrete sidewalk that was near Frank. The dog looked hungry and thirsty. Frank got closer to inspect the dog and saw that she was thin and had no collar or tags.
“You must be homeless and have no family like me.” Frank said with a chuckle.
Frank then sat down on the ground and leaned against a brick wall. Frank started to remember a time when he was in Vietnam. It was a hot humid day, and he was on base near a small village. A Vietnamese Family would always greet him when he entered the village on patrol. One day he noticed that their children were sick and they had a dog that was also thin and not well fed, similar to the dog that was pestering him now. Frank wanted to help them, so when on leave he would go to their home. It was a small bamboo hut made with clay and sheet metal for a roof.
Most of the Soldiers and Marines would go to the village to drink beer and eat on their leave. Frank didn't that day, he wanted so desperately to help this poor family. At the time, his son was still alive in the United States. He thought of how good his family was taken care of back home, but this poor family was in need of help. The Southern Vietnam Government didn't help families as the United States did back home. Frank had stolen some medicine like prescription penicillin and other antibiotics from the infirmary. He knew what he was doing was wrong, but there was no other way he could help that family. If he were to get caught it would mean he would be sent off to the brig.
Frank was nervous and scared, but he had a plan on getting the medication to the family. He walked over to the perimeter of the base, where a chain link fence bordered a thick tree line covered with thick vegetation. He tossed over a medium sized bag into a bushy area. His plan was to toss the items over the fence and walk out through the main entrance towards the village. The entrance was on the other side where Frank had tossed the items. Frank walked into the wooded area and into the thick vegetation. Concealing himself, he made his way to the bag he had thrown.
Frank found the bag and headed towards the home of the Vietnamese Family. He was immediately greeted by the father, who was an elderly man.
“Bac-si… Bac-si…”
That was what the family called him. Frank didn’t understand their language but by using body language and some Vietnamese words he learned while out there, he was able to communicate. Bac-si meant doctor in Vietnamese and the family knew Frank was there to help the children.
Frank felt it was a success when he had given the children antibiotics. Frank had checked their temperature and blood pressure. The family was so grateful, they gave Frank a hot meal and sent him off with some type of sticky rice in a banana wrapped with banana leaves. A delicious snack the family ate at times. Frank arrived back to base, where he was at the checkpoint.
“Doc, you need to see the Lieutenant. Leave your stuff here and follow me, I’ll escort you to him.” A Marine stated.
2nd Lt. Greg Cross was a firm Marine Officer. The Lieutenant didn’t see enlisted personnel unless it was a serious matter. Frank knew the situation was serious. Frank nervously stood in Lt. Cross’ Office.
“Petty Officer Long, what did you throw over the perimeter fence today?” The Lieutenant asked while looking straight into Frank’s eyes.
Frank was sweating and didn’t want to look at Lt. Cross. He had to tell the truth and knew there was no point in lying. There were cases of men throwing ammo and firearms for trade in drugs and they were sent off to the brig immediately. This was a serious matter.
“Sir, I took antibiotics from the infirmary. A family in the village needed them for their children who were ill.”
“Are you aware that is considered theft?”
“Yes Sir, I understand.” Frank said. He was ready to accept the consequences.
“You will be sent off to the front lines, Long. You will not be court martialed for your incompetent decisions. You leave today, pack your shit and go.” Then after a brief pause Lt. Cross said in a firm voice, “Oh, and I honestly hope you don’t come back… if you know what I mean!”
Frank was appalled by what Lt. Cross had said. The Marine who had escorted Frank was surprised as well. As Frank thought it through, the Lieutenant must of said that to place fear in Frank. The front line was a fearsome battlefield and no one looked forward to that.
While sitting down outside of the convenience store, Frank was interrupted from his thoughts when a young man handed him three dollars. Frank got up and noticed it was already noon and the pesky dog was still laying down on the sidewalk.
“Hey, ugly! You want to eat? I know a place where they serve some hot food.”
Frank was starting to accept the dog. He was harsh but still had a good heart for life. Eight dollars was what Frank had collected during the time he spent begging at the convenience store. In Frank’s mind he was glad he had eight dollars. That was enough to buy his favorite cheap booze.
“Come on. Follow me, let’s eat. I think I’ll name you Ugly. That name fits you.” Frank said as they walked towards the Food Pantry. The Food Pantry was where they served the indigent people food in town.
When Frank and Ugly arrived at the Food Pantry, there was a line for the hot dogs with chili. They also served iced tea or bottled water. While waiting in the line that stretched to the entrance door, Ugly had to wait outside. Three men who were also homeless approached Frank.
“How much did you make today Frank?”
“I made eight dollars.”
“Five bucks is what you owe us. Pay up.” One of the men told Frank as he stared at him.
Frank did not argue about it. He didn’t like confrontation at all. Almost everyday he would give a portion of his collection. Frank was only concerned that he had his alcohol at the end of the day. It was what calmed him down and numbed the memories, so he thought. As Frank got his hot dog with chili and a small bag of chips, he went outside the building to meet up with Ugly.
“Here you go. Half a dog for you and half a dog for me.” Frank said as he sat on the sidewalk conjoined with the building of the Food Pantry.
Ugly just stared at Frank and sat as well. She then started to chomp away at the food Frank had given her. As soon as Ugly was finished with one bite and swallow, she started to claw at Frank’s arm signing that she wanted more. Frank was lost in thought, thinking of his ex wife Mary Ann. He remembered the meals she would make for him. When he returned back home during the war, their relationship had gone down hill.
Frank remembered the day that Mary Ann was making ham and cheese sandwiches at their home. He was sitting on the recliner watching television, the usual routine he had. Frank was feeling anger and in the pit of his stomach, he felt a tingly feeling. Mary Ann placed the sandwiches on the table and walked over to Frank.
“Baby the food is ready.” Mary Ann called out with a smile.
“Why are you bothering me?! You know very well that I am watching T.V.” Frank yelled out very aggressively.
As Frank sat on the sidewalk eating half of the hot dog, he regretted every moment in his past. How he treated Mary Ann. This was just one of the ways he treated her. There was no cure for stopping his feelings. Anger consumed him. Frank never met his son. While he was out in Vietnam, Mary Ann was pregnant with Frank Jr. The first and last time Frank saw him was at a cemetery, already buried. Frank was burning with rage on how his whole life ended up.
“Hey Frank that’s a cute dog. What’s his name?” Yanessa said as she interrupted Frank. Yanessa was a volunteer at the Food Pantry. She had been helping to serve food for the poor and stocking up the kitchen for years.
“It’s a female dog and her name is Ugly.” Frank said.
Frank was fond of Yanessa, because she was young and had a good head on her shoulders. She confided in Frank and wasn’t scared or intimidated by him. Yanessa would tell Frank her dreams of becoming a medical doctor and she knew Frank was a Corpsman in the Navy. Yanessa had knowledge of Franks bravery during the war and skills in the medical field.
“Well Yanessa I got to go. Thanks for the food and all you do here for us.” Frank said with embarrassment. Frank must've said the same thing many times before. Frank never had a long conversation with Yanessa. It was mostly small talk. Just a Hi here and a bye there. Frank made it to the park and sat on the bench and drank his quart of cheap beer. Ugly sat next to Frank as he drank up his quart. She would every once in awhile jump up on the bench licking Frank on the face, putting a smile on him every time.
The next morning Frank woke up in the alleyway in the same spot he always slept at. Ugly laid next to him that night. Frank felt refreshed and had a dream. Something that was rare these days for him, he would either forget that he dreamt or didn’t get enough good sleep to produce a dream. Looking around he saw a soiled diaper and a box of old eaten up chicken. The box was mostly filled with chicken bones and half eaten mashed potatoes.
“What the heck is all this trash next to me?” Frank said confused.
It seemed as if someone had just brought all the treasure of trash to him during the night. A black trash bag was at the foot of his dirt covered bed that he would lay on. While he was in awe standing and looking around, he saw that Ugly was arriving back with a casting net used for catching bait. Ugly was dragging it with her mouth.
“Ugly! What are you doing?” Frank yelled out laughing. “You bringing me gifts?”
Frank was filled with joy. Not because of the trash he was brought, but because he felt love from his new friend, Ugly.
“You want to go fishing with the casting net Ugly?”
“Ruff!” Ugly barked.
“Okay, let's go then. Well... After I get some money. I have to have my good ole’ bottle of spirits, Ugly.” Frank replied.
Later that evening Frank made seven dollars and grabbed the casting net. He set off to a nearby canal with Ugly. Frank and Ugly casted their net at the bank of the canal. With no catch that day, Frank still had an enjoyable time with his new friend.
As the days became weeks and weeks became months, Frank started to understand Ugly. He was unaware dogs had dreams. Frank would hear Ugly barking in her sleep and moving her paws as if running away. Ugly one time woke up howling like a wolf, as if she was crying. Ugly always slept by Frank’s side every night.
“You get these dreams too huh? You’ll get used to them or forget they were ever there.” Frank said. “Let's get back to sleep Ugly.”
In the morning Frank woke up again as always with Ugly licking his face. This morning Ugly brought an old torn up women’s underwear and was playing with it tossing it to Frank.
“Ugly! Get that out of my face!”
“Ruff!”
As Frank was defending his face from the torn up underwear, three of the same homeless men from the Food Pantry, walked over to Frank. They were the ones’ that would ask for money to whomever used their controlled areas.
“Well look who we got here. It was easy to find you Frank. It’s been over a month and you haven’t paid your dues. You owe us fifty dollars from all this time you avoided us.” One of them spoke out.
His name was Edward Blade. Edward was sort of a bully in the area and would always approach the homeless to collect.
“I don’t have fifty dollars. Here’s five, Edward.” Frank was holding onto the underwear as he spoke to Edward. Frank had taken the underwear away from Ugly to stop her from tossing and shoving the stained up garment on him. Frank reached up in his pocket to grab the money. He resisted through all the tissue and other items inside his pocket. Frank’s coordination was not all that great and handed the underwear to Edward, so that he could get better coordinated.
“What the fuck…” Edward yelled out.
Ugly started to stand her ground and face Edward. “Grrrrrr.” Ugly started to growl at Edward and then lunged at him while barking.
“Get that ugly mutt away from me Frank!” Edward yelled out.
Edward then grabbed a wooden handle from an old broom that was on the ground near a dumpster. It was only the wooden handle with the bristle part snapped off. With one swing Edward struck Ugly on the head. Ugly whelped and then tried to bite Edward as he was swinging and stabbing towards Ugly.
“Get away from her!” Frank yelled out.
Frank then thought of a time he was in battle at a small village in Vietnam. He was on a patrol to do a mission with a small group of Marines and some South Vietnamese Troops. They had intel on a group of North Vietnamese and Chinese with a cache of supplies at a warehouse. Even though the Chinese were not involved directly with the war, they still assisted the North Vietnamese off record. Frank was not shared the information about the mission, but Frank had a hunch that a battalion of North Vietnamese were in the area and ready to attack the base. As Frank was on the convoy towards their destination traveling for about an hour and half, he remembered seeing three dogs on the streets near the warehouse. They had arrived and surrounded the old abandoned warehouse. There were huts near by with rice patties that seemed to stretch for miles surrounding the warehouse. When the troops jumped off the large trucks it seemed time stood still. Something did not feel right.
The sound of gunfire then erupted from the warehouse and then North Vietnamese Soldiers came out of the huts and the warehouse. Frank was not able to move a muscle and stood still by the truck. This was his first battle he had in Vietnam. Frank was holding onto his rifle and then pointed out to a tattered hut. The smell of burned gunpowder and sulfur was in the air. After a while the gunfire stopped, and Frank never fired a shot.
Frank was alert now and focused on the old tattered hut. Frank’s job was to give medical assistance to the injured. Thank God no one was shot or injured. Then the troops moved in toward the warehouse and another group of troops moved toward the huts. Frank followed toward the hut with the large truck moving in the direction of the huts, to be used as cover. Frank saw that the hut was riddled with bullet holes and some North Vietnamese soldiers lay dead several feet away from the hut. Pointing his rifle to the hut and having tunnel vision, he placed his finger on the trigger ready to shoot.
Then two North Vietnamese Soldiers ran out from the hut and away from them. The men gave chase and one of the Marines who was in the Scout Dog Platoon had a large German Shepherd and let loose the dog. The dog gave chase and caught one of the North Vietnamese Soldier in the rice patty. Frank ran toward the North Vietnamese Soldier and saw that the Military Working Dog was getting stabbed several times with a large military style knife. He heard the welp coming out of the dog and it was similar to Ugly’s cry. With one shot from Frank’s Rifle the North Vietnamese Soldier fell into the water and mud. When Frank shot he was ready to shoot again, but saw no movement. Frank felt his heart pump faster and his sight was narrowed down towards the enemy. All sounds were dimmed down and he stood still not moving. He knew he did not do wrong, but something inside him did not feel right. He felt dirty and guilty.
Frank ran towards the horrific scene with the North Vietnamese Soldier and the dog.
“What’s your dog’s name!” Frank yelled out as he started to take his first aid kit out from his pack.
Frank did not know the dog or the handler for they were in a different unit. Frank had just arrived on orders closer to the war zone. It was where 2nd Lieutenant Cross had sent him.
“His name is Ace!” Yelled out the Marine.
Frank’s hearing felt as if it was raised up. He heard the gurgled breathing from Ace. Frank knew he was losing him. Frank saw the blood and open wounds on Ace’s ribcage. He stood up and said in a soft low voice. “I can’t save him. I’m sorry.”
Frank was standing in front of Edward as he swung the wooden handle at Ugly. Edward then stabbed towards her and Frank grabbed the handle and they both started to grapple on the ground. Frank was not scared, but angry and full of rage. It was the fuel that gave him the strength to overpower Edward. As quickly as Frank punched Edward on the face, he stopped and got up from the ground. Ugly was barking and was right beside Frank.
“Fuck you Frank and fuck that damn dog!” Edward stuttered the words.
Frank knelt down to Ugly’s level and checked her mouth and head. “You’re going to be fine girl.” Frank said. Frank and Ugly got up and walked away from Edward.
That evening Frank was in the alley where he would sleep. Drinking his quart of beer and dazed sitting on the dirt covered ground. Taking sip by sip of the barley flavored drink. Ugly was running around playing with an empty water bottle. Turning her attention to Frank, she clawed at him to get his attention. The sun was setting and it was becoming darker. The light pole that erected from the corner of the alley grew brighter as the minutes past by.
Then the bottle of beer was turned over by Ugly as she wagged her thick tail. The beer began spilling on the ground turning the dirt into a muddy texture.
“What are you doing you stupid fucken dog!” Yelled Frank.
Ugly got scared and shrinked in size with her tail curling in between her legs. Frank was not the same kind of person Ugly knew. He was mean and frightful.
Frank grabbed the glass quart of beer and threw it against a brick wall that was across them. The shatter of the glass gave out a loud noise that frightened Ugly. Frank realized that he was going to lose Ugly as he lost Mary Ann, If he continued to act cruel and ill tempered towards her.
“I’m sorry girl. I hate myself and I hate everything that I’ve become.” Frank said as he cried with tears flowing down from his eyes. Frank sat down on the ground and hugged Ugly as he prayed for peace in his heart. That night a speck of a thought to let go of binge drinking came to mind. “I’m Sorry girl.” He continued whispering to Ugly’s ear.
The next morning Frank got up early. Ugly was laying beside him still fast asleep. Frank walked to the corner of the roadway adjacent to the convenience store. He held his old worn out cardboard sign to collect money. He wanted to buy Ugly some dog treats he had seen inside the convenience store. The cars raced by, due to the early rush hour, when mostly everyone goes to work.
Frank held his sign up high and then at the peripheral of his sight, he saw Ugly running towards him excited.
“Ugly!” Frank yelled just as excited as her.
Then as Ugly ran across the street to reach Frank, the sound of a loud thump was heard and echoed around. A car had hit Ugly and she was thrown to the side of the road. The car did not stop and continued to drive off.
“No! Baby! No!” Frank yelled as he dropped his sign.
Frank ran to Ugly, who was laying on the side of the road, motionless. He fell to the ground and held her. The sound of gunfire was heard in Frank’s mind. He could smell the gunpowder and his vision got dimmed. He started to sweat and his knees got weak.
In Vietnam he befriended a fellow corpsman, while he was in the frontlines. The men were preparing to fly to an area where the enemy was pinpointed by scouts. They boarded the Sikorsky HUS-1 Seahorse Helicopter with other troops. Frank was sweating and his knees were weak, because he was scared. Frank was involved in minor skirmishes, but this was going to be a big fight. He grew fond of his friend HM1 Robert Cruz. Cruz was from Texas and lived about four hours away from each other back home. As they held on a large bag and rifle they prepared mentally to jump off the bird. The noise was loud and they were unable to hear each other as they were in flight.
Frank threw his bag out when the helicopter was around 6 feet from the ground, then he jumped off as well. Frank retrieved the bag he had thrown as dirt and debris was being propelled into the air by the helicopters. The Marines were running to set up a perimeter defense in case the North Vietnamese were to engage. Then as they were moving towards a tree line an explosion was felt. Frank felt the blast and then he heard the echo. Frank dropped to the ground and laid near the bag for cover.
“Move! Move!” a Marine yelled at Frank.
A land mine had set off when someone stepped on it. Four Marines were loaded up onto the helicopter and flown back to base. When the troops were set up in a defensive formation they split in three groups. Frank saw when some troops with metal detectors walked through the fields and into the tree line. Frank saw the crater that was caused by the explosion.
It had been days that they all had peace after the deadly landmine explosion. Frank did not sleep and was riddled with mosquito bites. In the jungles of Vietnam was very frightening. Aside from keeping a watchful eye for the enemy, Frank was watching out for booby traps. He had seen venomous snakes and insects. Many of the troops were getting ill and some were starting to get trench foot. Frank made sure many of them took off their boots and cleaned their feet. They had to pair up with other Marines to make sure they cleaned their feet and kept them dry.
It was strange awaiting what they knew was coming. It was inevitable that a fight was going to happen. That’s why they were all there. HM1 Cruz and Frank were together with the platoon. They talked about family to relieve the stress.
At times they were told to be silent for a long period of time, as they approached an area of the unknown. The unknown area was when they moved forward into the jungle. Then while walking into a clear field with a view of a beautiful mountain, Frank stopped with Cruz. A bombardment of explosions were all around. Mortars were raining in on them. Running for cover into the tree line, Frank heard yelling and cries for help. Machine gun fire from both sides along with explosions were overpowering the wounded and dying. Frank saw that Cruz was hit on the leg. Running towards him he saw mud flying in the air from bullets that hit the ground. Frank tried to carry Cruz, but couldn’t with all the gear he had on him. Pulling Cruz towards the cover of the trees, he saw that there were hundreds of North Vietnamese Troops flanking towards them. Frank was ready to give up and surrender. It was no match to fight them all, that would mean sure death. Frank felt he needed to help others, but was concentrating on Cruz. He felt useless as he was trying to pull Cruz to safety. Near the trees he started to use a tourniquet on Cruz to stop the bleeding. The blood was pouring out and wouldn’t stop.
“Fuck! What do I do?” Frank yelled out in frustration.
“Go help the others Frank!” Cruz yelled back.
Frank ran to a Marine who he knew as well and saw that he was dead. Frank yelled at him and he laid motionless. He twitched and started to gurgle. He was shot in the chest and leg.
“Doc, help!”
“Medic!”
Calls for help were overwhelming Frank. He saw that the enemy was advancing and it seemed he was the only one left. Frank ran off into the jungle and regrouped further into the jungle.
“Don’t leave me, Frank!” A low yell was heard in the distance from Cruz.
As Frank was reminded of the horrific images of war and death. He slowly came back to his reality of his best friend Ugly. She laid in the side of the road breathing and trying to get up. Just as Cruz was trying to do when he was shot in the leg. Frank saw that Ugly was bleeding on the back legs and falling back to the ground.
Frank picked up Ugly and carried her. Standing on the side of the road crying he started to run towards a Veterinary Clinic that was about a mile away. Cars past by him and no one stopped to help. Frank knew he was on his own, as he was in that battle. He knew he failed at saving Cruz. He left him there to die or be captured. He wasn’t going to let that happen to Ugly. His sins haunted him. Even at that time they haunted him.
“Don’t die on me Ugly.” Frank pleaded.
“You were the only one left here for me. God brought you to me for a reason.”
Running and feeling the blood on his hands and clothes, he grew tired and started to cramp. Frank stopped and laid Ugly on the ground. Frank watched as Ugly was in pain and her eyes were focused on him. Frank prayed and knew he had to have faith that God would help.
As Frank picked up Ugly for the second time, an elderly man stopped a short distance away on the road. He got off and walked over to Frank.
“Is your dog okay Mister?”
“No, she was hit by a car. Please help me take her to the vet.” Frank begged.
“Yes of course. Let’s put her in the bed of my truck.”
Frank felt a tingly feeling in his chest and his knees were becoming weak. He carried Ugly into the bed of the truck and sat with her. The elderly man drove off to the Veterinary Clinic. When they arrived at the clinic Frank jumped off the truck and rushed Ugly inside. In the lobby of the clinic, he was looked at strange. His appearance was that of a homeless man and Ugly was a thin mangy dog.
“Can I help you Sir?” An employee at the front desk asked. She looked at Ugly and then at Frank.
“Yes my dog was hit by a car. Can you help?”
“It will be $300 dollars to see your dog and you need to pay that up front.”
“I don’t have that kind of money. I can pay in payments, but please help her.” Frank pleaded.
“I am sorry Sir.”
“No please! She’s hurt bad and I don’t want to lose her.”
Then when Frank turned around to walk out of the clinic with Ugly in pain, the doctor from the clinic walked into the office of the front desk.
“Frank is that you?” The doctor called out.
Frank had given up on getting medical help for Ugly, but when he heard the doctor call him by name, it revived his hopes.
“Yes it is!” Frank said as he turned around. Frank recognized the doctor as one of his high school friends. It was Greg Turner. Turner was also in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman and served in the Vietnam War. Turner had enlisted with Frank, but had gone in a different unit.
“What happened Frank? Is your dog hurt?” Turner asked as he went around to go into the lobby with Frank and Ugly.
“Yes she was hit by a car and she is dying.”
“Bring her in, hurry Frank. I’ll take care of her as best I can.”
Frank was relieved that Doctor Turner was going to help. They rushed inside and placed Ugly on a cold metal bed inside a room. Doctor Turner started to look at Ugly and ordered one of his assistance to get x rays on her. He also ordered to have blood work on her.
“Frank, I need to do surgery and I’ll need to see if she is bleeding internally. I’ll need you to wait in the lobby. I’ll get back with you my friend.” Doctor Turner said as he was moving Ugly into another room.
Frank waited anxiously in the lobby. Then Doctor Turner opened the door that led into the lobby.
“Frank… I’m sorry. Ugly has passed away.”
“No. No. No.” Frank must of said “no” nonstop.
Frank then walked out of the clinic and towards the park, where he could sit on the bench and rethink what was happening. It was the only place he felt safe and comfortable.
While walking to his place of serenity, he was staring down lost in thought. Doctor Turner had stepped outside the clinic to call on Frank, but was unsuccessful.
“Hey Doc, Master Sergeant wants to see you.” Private Smith told Frank as he arrived back on base.
This was after the battle in the jungles of Vietnam. Where he returned battle worn and ashamed of losing his friends and fight. Most of the Marines were glad to be alive and out of the fight, but Frank felt his heart was torn apart. He was worn out both physically and mentally.
“Yes, Master Sergeant?” Frank asked as he approached him inside a canvas tent. The tent was large and they were alone.
“Long… I’m afraid I have news from home. Your wife was involved in an accident. Your son didn’t make it. I’m sorry.”
Frank was devastated and at first he couldn’t believe it.
“No. Sir, there must be some mistake. It can’t be true.”
The Master Sergeant looked at Frank and did not know what to say. News of this kind was very hard to tell someone.
Frank sat on the ground and cried. He was so sad that he didn’t care what others thought of him.
In the park Frank saw that the bench was taken by Rose, who had first mentioned the dog to Frank.
“Rose… My dog died.” Frank spoke out to her. Frank never really had anyone to talk to nor did he want to. This was different. Maybe it was Ugly, who taught Frank to speak out to someone, which was her. Frank always talked to Ugly, even though they didn’t actually have a conversation. Frank felt relieved when he spoke to Ugly at times.
“Frank I’m sorry. Was it the yellow dog you were always with. The one I had told you about at first?”
“Yeah. Her name was Ugly.”
Then a small car pulled up and parked on the side of the road near Frank. It was Doctor Turner. Doctor Turner had found Frank and got off the car walking towards Frank and Rose.
“Frank. I’m sorry about your dog. I wanted to help you.”
“Help me how, Greg? Nothing anyone can do will help the pain I feel. God hates me. God puts me around death and I lose everyone I come to love! I don’t get shot or hurt! It’s always everyone else!” Frank said as he started to raise his voice.
Doctor Turner and Rose stood by Frank, not knowing what to say. Then Doctor Turner spoke.
“Frank… I understand Frank. I’ve been there. Remember… I was there in the war. I almost let the evil consume me. I lost friends and family during that time. I saw the worst of the worst and felt the pain. You know, when I got back home, I drank myself down hill and almost divorced Lori, my wife. I went to church and saw the glow on my Christian Brothers and Sisters. I realized that I had to forgive myself for all the things I did, before the healing even started.”
“Greg, but you don’t realize that I failed out there. I was a coward and froze. I killed and watched my friends getting slaughtered. I left them behind, so the enemy could get them. I hate myself and I don’t think I could ever forgive myself. God hasn’t!” Frank said as he cried and sat down on the bench.
Rose placed her hand on Frank’s Shoulder and stayed quiet.
“You’re wrong Frank. God does forgive you. You don’t forgive yourself. Ugly was introduced to you for a reason. You found me because of Ugly. I am not going to leave you behind, just like you didn’t leave Ugly. You were brave to be out there in the middle of Hell Frank. You are just a man. You reacted like everyone else. You have a good soul Frank. If you didn’t you wouldn’t feel so bad.”
Doctor Turner extended his hand out towards Frank. Frank grabbed his hand and Doctor Turner helped him up from the bench.
“Come with me Frank, lets honor and pay respect to Ugly and give her a proper burial. I’ll take care of everything. I’m here for you Frank. You’ve been through enough, it’s time you come home and leave the war behind you. The memories will always be there, but we’ll overcome them together and get you some help. You can work in my clinic and we’ll look for a place for you to stay.”
Deep down in Frank’s heart he knew that God had sent his little angel down, who was Ugly, to steer him towards a better path. The answer to all this was “Love”. The love of friendship and the love for himself. Frank still maintained a sturdy loving heart and soul. Even through all the evil around him. Somehow God answered his prayers.
Frank stopped his binge drinking and wanted to help the homeless and abandoned animals. His goal was to seek help and go to school to be a social worker for the community. Who else better to help people who have given up. Than someone who has seen through the eyes of the despaired?
“Thank you, Ugly…”
