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Show 13-4 "Well, Mother was upset at first. You know how she doesn't like hospitals. But now she says it's fine." "Yes, your mother always liked happy things, liked people to be well and whole. She never could stand sickness or weakness. Your mother is a fine lady and I love her dearly but she does have a tiny corner of her mind that isn't able to deal with some of the realities of life." Grandfather shifted in bed and I pulled the pillow up behind his head and then smoothed the quilt back around him. "Thank you, dear, Little Annie. Friend forever." We both smiled, remembering a pledge we had given each other when I was very young and Grandfather was my best friend. "Grandfather, would it have been all right with you if Paul had come home looking, well, not the same, missing a part or with no eyes or something?" "You mean, would that have been better than for him not to come home at all?" I nodded. "That's a hard question, Annie. I don't think I can answer it. Now, I say yes, home at any price. But maybe not, maybe the other would be harder to take. I don't really know what to tell you. Honestly, I don't." "Grandpa, did Paul get a purple medal, with a heart hanging on it?" Grandfather sighed and closed his eyes. "A heart? I don't remember. Truth to tell, Annie, I haven't looked much at his medals. That's your grandmother's territory. You ask her." He moved a bit under the quilt. "She'd just love to get them out for you. "Now, that's enough serious talk for today. I'd better get a little rest and you'd better go see to your grandmother." His voice was weaker and I could see he was tired. He eyes nodded shut and his hand relaxed over mine. |