I Am... My Enemy

By Tyrone V Banks

An injured Iraqi War veteran must come to terms with his injuries and learn to overcome his mis-placed hatred of his own Middle Eastern roots.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookRix
• Release date: Jan 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9783739689784

Book preview

Tyrone V Banks

I Am... My Enemy

Dedicated to God and all of the men and women of the armed forces who fight to defend the United States of America.

BookRix GmbH & Co. KG

81371 Munich

I Am

April 4, 2008 - somewhere in Iraq.

Who am I? Willy Wonka?

His inaudible comment entertained him slightly as the group of children ran towards the truck that he was sitting on. The other members of his platoon stood nearby with their M16’s pointed towards the ground.

The children chanted; [Candy! Candy!]*in Arabic

This daily routine became less of a treat and more of a job for the American Troops sent into Iraq to act as protectors, aggressors and ambassadors at times. Lance Corporal Elija Rose forced smile became more natural as he began to enjoy the small children who sat nearby eating probably more chocolate than he was allowed to give.

One of the kids looked at Rose, rubbing his chin as in deep thought. He finally blurted out; [You don’t look American!]

Hey Rose, what’s that Kid saying? Rose’s nosy commanding officer was annoying and always distrustful of any conversations between Rose and the locals.

Rose replied; Captain, something about a hidden treasure…Shhh!

The other Platoon members (who actually took the time to learn some conversational Arabic) laughed as Rose continued his rouse. Rose knew that he could joke with Captain Miller and he wanted this one to be one of his best pranks.

The kid continued; [You speak Arabic…right?]

Rose sat down in the back of the truck that they were riding and had the intention of getting this matter sorted out once and for all.

He replied; [My father’s from Iran and my mother’s American.]

The boy replied; [I knew that you were different! I knew that you weren’t American!]

Rose always hated when someone said that he wasn’t American, but he kept his cool.

He asked; [What’s your name kid?]

The boy responded; [I am Jamail…what’s your name?]

Rose responded; [I am Elija.]

Rose and Jamail shook hands and Captain Miller lost control of his curiosity.

Rose, what did he say!?

Sergeant Jones replied; I think that they’re partners in some type of treasure hunt!

The expression on Miller’s face was priceless.

Rose, what’s going on…you need to tell me and that’s an order!

Rose looked at Miller, looked away and continued talking.

[Jamail, my father is from Iran and my mother is from Los Angeles, California. I have family in Iran but my home is in the United States. I was born in America so I am an American!]

Jamail responded; [Why are you getting so offended?]

[I’m not offended; this is just a touchy subject for me…]

The other men continued to hand out candy and Sergeant Jones just had to take another swipe at Miller.

Oh oh Captain, the deal’s going sour – he doesn’t like the tone of your voice Sir! I think they were talking about giving us fifty percent each!

[Listen Jamail, you just don’t know how hard it is to be an Iranian-American in America…]

Jamail interrupted and added; [I’m sure that it’s not as hard as being an Iraqi in Iraq!]

[Good point, good point…I think that you’ve got me beat this time!]

A man stepped out of a shop and looked in their direction.

[Jamail, come here! Don’t talk to that American! ]

Jamail yelled out;[Coming father!]

Before leaving he asked; [Elija, will you be here tomorrow?]

Rose responded; [I hope not!]

Jamail laughed and responded; [See? You are not like the others, you’re honest! Goodbye!]

About ten minutes after their supply of candy was depleted, Miller walked over and Rose