Mum: Where are you?
Son: Somewhere in England. Not
exactly sure. Cold. Bit grey. You’d love it. Feels like home, just … older.
Mum: Have you found somewhere to stay?
Son: Yeah, they’ve got us set up. Shared rooms. Bit rough, but all good.
Mum: Who’s “they”?
Son: Just the group I’m with. Good bunch. Proper characters.
Mum: Have you eaten?
Son: Yes, Mum.
Mum: What’s the food like?
Son: Basic. You eat when you can.
Mum: Please take some photos.
Son: Will do.
Mum: And send them.
Son: Yes, Mum.
Mum: What’s the plan from here?
Son: Heading out soon. Bit of a trip with the boys. Apparently, it’ll be busy.
Mum: Busy how?
Son: Early starts. Long days. Lots of moving around. Bit of waiting.
Mum: Waiting for what?
Son: Instructions mostly. We go where we’re told.
Mum: Sounds organised.
Son: Yeah … something like that.
Mum: You warm enough?
Son: Trying to be. Ground’s cold. Proper cold. Everything’s damp. Boots never really dry out.
Mum: That doesn’t sound great.
Son: You get used to it. Everyone’s the same.
Mum: Have you met anyone from home?
Son: Yeah. Few Kiwis here. You can spot them straight away. Same accent. Same jokes. Same way of just getting on with it.
Mum: That’ll be nice.
Son: Yeah. It is. Makes it feel a bit less far away.
Mum: What do you do when you’re not busy?
Son: Sit around mostly. Play a lot of cards. Everyone’s got a story. Everyone reckons they’ll have a beer when it’s all done.
Mum: You will.
Son: Hope so.
Mum: Are you safe?
Son: Yeah, Mum.
Mum: Promise?
Son: Promise.
Mum: Good.
Son: Might be out of contact for a bit. Signal’s not great where we’re going. And they’ve told us to carry light.
Mum: How long?
Son: Not sure. A few days, maybe.
Mum: Okay. Just message when you can.
Son: Will do.
Mum: I’ll keep my phone on.
Son: You don’t need to.
Mum: I know. I will anyway.
Son: Sounds like you.
Mum: Someone has to worry.
Son: I’ll be alright.
Mum: I know.
Son: It’s quiet here now. Everyone’s just sitting with their thoughts.
Mum: That doesn’t sound like you.
Son: Nah. Bit different here.
Mum: What’s happening?
Son: We head out soon. Early.
Mum: Where to?
Son: Not sure exactly. They’ve given us a rough idea. Looks like a beach.
Mum: A beach?
Son: Yeah. Be nice in summer.
Mum: You take care.
Son: Always.
Mum: Love you.
Son: Love you too.
…
Mum: Hey. You there?
Mum: Just checking in.
Mum: Guessing you’re busy.
Mum: Hope you’re alright.
Mum: Hello?
This Anzac Day, it’s worth remembering that behind every soldier was someone at home waiting to hear from them.
