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Show 10-4 "So, when I saw that you and Andrew really were friends, that you could accept him as he was, well, I couldn't refuse to let you see him." She stood up and walked over to the window and looked out a moment. "Your father has told me how much these men need other people, people who can accept their injuries." She looked back at me. "I don't know how you can look at him." "But, Mother, you did. You looked at him and shook his hand." "I had to force myself, Annie. I knew I couldn't hurt his feelings by shrinking back, by showing how horrified I was. You, you do it naturally." In my mind, I saw Andrew again for the first time and I felt the same shock I had in that second Of horror when I first saw his face. I remembered that I had felt the same strong desire to not show it, not let him know. "Well," I finally said, "Now he's just Andrew, I guess. That's the way he is and he is my friend so it doesn't bother me any more." "Yes, that's the difference. I don't think I could ever come to feel that for him. I've often wondered if Larry had gone overseas and come back like that if I could have welcomed him home." Mother spoke softly, almost to herself. I pictured Andrew's face on my father's body. "Anyway, ehat*s neither here nor there. Vou nave a friend and you must stick by him. Faithful to the end. That's important. For both of you. "But there's the matter of your disobeying me yesterday, of running off to the hospital against my express order. You didn't tell Ruth that I said you were not to go out there, did you?" I shook my head. "You know you broke my rule, don't you, Annie?" I nodded. |
