In the PTSD group, a young war vet hung his head. “I quit nursing school because I had a panic attack every time I got near patients.”
Michael nodded with understanding, “Nothing to be ashamed of. What drew you to nursing?”
“I wanted to feel useful and help other people plus I’m good with details.”
“Admirable strengths. Well suited to a mailman. Delivering in all sorts of weather would be like serving.”
Six months later. “I dig my mail route and I met a gal that asked where and when I served, not what I did in the Army.”
Written in response to Charli Mills January 30, 2020, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a postal carrier in an extreme situation. Even if you base your story on a true one, focus on the core trait of this postal carrier. Go where the prompt leads!
Note: Asking a veteran where and when they served is a safe question for the vet. It shows you are interested in them, and if during wartime, frontline action, they don’t have to admit what atrocities they experienced.
Sue Spitulnik 
02/03/2020 at 12:40
This really is a nice piece, Susan. Well done.
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02/03/2020 at 16:12
Thank you Robbie.
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02/04/2020 at 14:15
Nice. I like the part where he says he met someone who was interested in where and when, rather than what he did in the Service. A good thing to think about considering so many are forced to go back multiple times.
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02/04/2020 at 17:28
I recently heard a cop tell hearing “thank you” leaves them with nothing to say in return. That a “hope you get home safe or hope you’re home to watch the game” is better. I’ll have to try that next time I’m at a festival. Thanks for reading.
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02/04/2020 at 22:20
It is good that he wants to be helpful and give back to the society. Nicely done
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02/12/2020 at 09:39
I like the response at the end – it caps off the story in a nice, hopeful way.
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