Davidson / Marcano Butterfly Wish

A Doomed Interracial Love Affair Set in Post War South Korea
1. Auflage 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4835-8756-1
Verlag: BookBaby
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 370 Seiten

Butterfly Wish is a story about friendship, love, loyalty and betrayal. But it is mostly about unchecked human behavior in a mecca of sex and violence. Shane Brennan and Manny Veneto are stationed in the Republic of South Korea in 1963 when suddenly they are dragged into the dark world of sin and exploitation.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Davidson, D.

Marcano, R.

Leseproben

CHAPTER ONE
  Someone once said, “Time waits for no man,” but when Shane Brennan decided to revisit the past—he postponed the future indefinitely. Shane was an old man in his seventies who had lived a full life but not without regrets. He was a native New Yorker who now made his home in the warm climate of Nevada. Now, however, he sat on a 747 as the giant bird climbed over the huge mountains that spread across the South Korean countryside. Shane had convinced his wife of fifty years it was a trip he just had to make to confront the ghost of his youth. He peered down at the ground and noticed the imperfectly cut green rectangle rice paddies that covered the otherwise barren topography. Then he caught a reflection of himself in the window. He was mostly bald, and he looked so damn old. As the 747 made its approach to Incheon International Airport, on wheels down, Shane felt tightness in his gut. He was about to embark on a trek back in time, a journey to cleanse his soul and find the forgiveness he so desperately sought. Shane grinned when he recalled his first impression of South Korea back in the summer of 1963. He was one of twenty-three U.S. Airmen, aboard a C-47 Transport plane, on their way to begin a thirteen-month tour of duty at Osan Air Force Base, South Korea. Shane remembered gazing out the window of the “goony bird” when he caught his first peek at the sterile land down below. It was a treeless landscape of rocky hills and sculptured dirt mountains. A flat terrain crowded with checkered rice paddies and populated by farmers; peasants who lived in squalor with little hope of escape. They called it “The Land of the Morning Calm.” A precarious truce was signed between North Korea and the United Nations Command on July 27, 1953. Finally, the South Koreans would be free of all oppressors and tyrannical rulers. They would have their independence, and a chance to live in peace. But the ill will between North and South Korea, lingered. The threat of war remained a constant. The United States and South Korean military were on permanent alert. It would be many years before South Koreans enjoyed the prosperity and self-respect most other democratic states took for granted. But for now, its fate as a new republic was in question. South Korea was a destitute country with a needy population. Starvation and disease plagued the new nation. Many of the impoverished South Korean people took menial jobs at U.S. Army Camps and Air Force bases as a matter of survival. Most of the meager wages earned were used to help support immediate and extended families. Those Korean women unable to obtain employment at U.S. installations were relegated to working as Bar Girls at local Night Clubs in the village. Most became prostitutes—selling their bodies and souls for profit. U.S. Airmen and soldiers patronized the bars and whorehouses of the local villagers to get drunk and solicit the immoral “ladies of the night.” No sexual act was taboo, provided the price was right. This warped sense of entitlement further subjugated the Korean population and triggered a festering resentment towards Americans in general. Shane Brennan was just a naive twenty-year-old Airman when he arrived in South Korea in the summer of 1963. However, the mistakes he made while serving there would torment his soul forever. He hoped returning to the scene of those transgressions, fifty some years later, would perhaps offer him some solace. Shane made his way through the huge Passenger Terminal at Incheon International Airport and was amazed at the progress the “shit-hole country” had made in fifty-some odd years. Shane exited the terminal with his suitcase in hand and crossed to where the limousine and taxis were parked. The humid July air was stifling and made it difficult for Shane to breathe. He suffered from mild emphysema from years of smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Shane’s eyes scanned the many signs being flashed by South Korean Limo and Taxi drivers until he spotted the one that read, Mister Shane Brennan. Shane Brennan immediately acknowledged the driver and climbed into the rear seat of the 2010 gray Cadillac Escalade. The limo pulled away and found the expressway in a matter of minutes. The Korean driver told Shane that the time it would take to get from the Airport to Osan Air Force Base could vary, depending on traffic. But on a good day, you could reach your destination in less than ninety minutes. Shane sat back and tried to relax. He surveyed the scenery as the Escalade sped down the convenient highway. A million thoughts crossed his mind. Shane felt curious about the changes he would see at Osan Air Force base and the City of Songtan. Shane had read that Songtan was now a busy and thriving metropolis crowded with modern shops and popular American businesses and restaurants. There were also several hotels in the city to accommodate foreign businessmen and women. It was a far cry from the shanties, bars and brothels of the past. Shane wondered if there would be a familiar face in Songtan he could connect with—just one person from the past. It was a long shot but still a possibility. He knew for certain there would be one American at Osan he would know. Manny Veneto was waiting for him at the popular Air Force Inn. Shane and Manny had served one year together at Osan in 1963. Now a New York Congressman had made arrangements for Shane and Manny to stay on base during their wistful visit. Manny had taken an earlier flight in from New York. It took some doing for Manny to convince his wife of forty-five years—this was not the sort of trip one would make with their spouse. It was a hard sell, but Manny was persuasive. Shane was excited and anxious to get to his destination. Soon, there would be two old men on an adventure. When the Escalade reached the edge of Osan Air Force Base, Shane caught a quick glimpse of the village once known as Chicol. It was now the bustling city of Songtan. He was astonished at the number of American businesses that lined the main street and the infamous Aragon Alley. Pizza Hut, MacDonald’s, Popeye’s and Baskin & Robbins were just four of the many prominent logos seen along the paved streets and busy alleys. The limo rolled up to the main gate of Osan Air Force Base. There was a guard booth in the center of the street with an Ingress passageway on one side and an Egress passageway on the other. The stone structure was beige with brown trim. The white and gray tiled roof had a sweeping curvature to it that rose at the corners in a traditional Korean Architectural design. Gold letters across the top of the booth read, Osan AB. A blue and gold shield emblem to the right of the gold letters read, Seventh Air Force. Another blue and gold shield insignia to the left read, Fifty First Fighter Wing. An Air Policeman promptly greeted the limo. A sense of nostalgia struck Shane. The design of the main entrance had changed dramatically, but its purpose was still the same: screen all persons wishing to enter the base. Shane lowered the back window and handed his passport and a letter of authorization to the proper and starched Air Policeman. The Air Policeman read the letter and entered the guard booth to make a call. It was only a matter of seconds before Shane was on his way again. He marveled at the modernization of Osan. The buildings were larger and built as permanent structures. The limousine passed a small high school campus. It was now permitted for married officers and enlisted men to have family stay with them throughout their tour in South Korea. Very different from the isolation and distance-relationship killers U.S. Airmen experienced back in 1963. When the limousine reached its final destination, the Air Force Inn, Shane paid the driver and climbed out of the Escalade. He immediately recognized a skinny old man of about seventy who still had a full head of hair that was mostly gray. The man was dressed in light summer clothing, and wore a thin windbreaker. Shane smiled at the sight of his old friend, Manny Veneto. Manny was the only man Shane completely trusted. The two old geezers embraced for a very long time. When they finally separated, Manny spoke first. “It’s good to see you again, Shane.” “Good to see you too, Manny.” Manny gawked at Shane’s summer suit. “I hope you’re not going to village dressed like that? You look like some old coot about to board one of them cruise ships.” Shane sniggered. “Cruise ship? I’ll give you a fucking cruise ship.” Manny laughed and grabbed Shane’s suitcase. “Come on inside. I’ll show you the sweet set-up they gave us.” Manny led Shane into the comfortable and welcoming lodge. The accommodations were small but nicely decorated. Manny padded over to an Island bar and stepped behind it. “Not bad for two troublemakers who constantly broke the rules.” “And I guess it doesn’t hurt to know a congressman who lives in the Bronx, either,” said Shane. “No, it doesn’t.” It had been well over fifty-years since Shane had seen Manny. Then last summer Manny tracked Shane down on Facebook. The two men made arrangements to meet at a Las Vegas hotel and spend a few days reminiscing about 1963 and the good old days in South Korea. Now here they were, one year later, about to step back in time. Manny glanced at the shelf behind him. It was lined with bottles of different whiskeys, gins and vodka. “So, what are you drinking?” “I’ll have what you’re having,” said Shane. “Not me.” Manny pressed his hand on his stomach. “I got a slight issue with my digestive track. No lactose. No alcohol. Is...