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Show 15-5 "Well, there must be a reason. Never knew the army to make a mistake." Grandfather chuckled a bit. "Now, I need a bit of a nap. Just looking at all needs to be done in the garden makes me tired." He reached out and patted my hand. "Thank you, Annie. Run along and play." I peeked in at Grandmother as I was leaving. She still sat there, holding the medals, stroking the velvet that surrounded them. That evening at dinner I asked my parents about Paul's ribbons and the missing black heart. Mother seemed preoccupied, not really listening to the conversation around her. Father listened, glancing occasionally at Mother as she sat stirring her food on her plate. "It's a purple heart, Annie. Not black. The purple heart. And yes, it is awarded to anyone killed or wounded in battle." "Then why wouldn't Uncle Paul have one?" "I never thought about that. I guess I never really looked at his medals. They seemed, well, not very important." Father sipped his coffee. I looked at Mother. She was looking out the window to the bright clear evening air. "Grandmother sure thinks they are." "I know. You know why she does." "Yes, I guess. But that heart was the loveliest one of all that Andrew had. I wish we had one of those." "Must be a mix-up in records. Maybe it's on its way." Father was looking at Mother now, a little frown in his eyes. "I'll ask Andrew. He might know." "Annie, Andrew doesn't know everything." I turned at Father's tone. He was stirring his coffee and didn't look at me. "I'm sorry, Annie. Go ahead and ask him. Are you coming out tomorrow? We'll talk to him together. Maybe he will have some ideas." Then Father sighed and pushed back from the table. |