The son smiled at the father as the elder quickly stepped to his chair. "Father, I've reviewed the reports. Most are worthless and the others are discouraging. There's a note and strange package her from Col. Roosevelt's courier." Joe Jr. handed the items to his father. The general took them and sat down in the chair on the other side of the parlor. He read the note and felt the bundled handkerchief.
He'd not been in contact with the Stevensons in years. Their lives had been filled with time separate from his. He untied the bandana and his heart smiled when he felt the cool silver of his childhood gift from Father in his hand. "Well, I swear!" was his choked response as he blinded his eyes moistened be memories of Spring Place, Miss Vann, lace curtains, good whiskey, stinking poultice and Lou's rough but gentle hands tending his foot and his life. "I swear," was his attempt to restrain his strong unexpected feelings. He got up and went directly to the magnificent lobby stairs without a word to his son. As he moved, he stuffed the note in his coat pocket and clutched the yellow bundle in his left hand. He sprinted to another reunion upstairs in room 317.