"What am I supposed to tell Stanley's mother? I promised to keep him safe, and I failed. Your stupid words aren't going to bring him back are they?"
The general went slack. "Ah yes, well, poor Mrs. Riddle. I'm sorry to report this, but it seems that when Mrs. Riddle heard the news of her son, she died of an instant heart attack. The grief was just too much for the poor woman."
"General, I mean no disrespect, sir, but leave me alone. Get out. Please."
No one of lower rank had ever spoken with such abruptness to the general like this before. He was miffed by Roy's insurrection and started to lambaste him for his conduct. Then recognizing the circumstances attached to this moment, the general suddenly felt compassion for someone clearly in pain, physically and emotionally. It reminded the general of his son's reaction upon hearing of his grandmother's death. Looking down at Roy fighting tears with his eyes closed, the commanding officer could see Roy's emotional pain.
"You're right Mr. Folsom. What I'm saying isn't going to change a thing. I'm sorry about your friend Mr. Rid… I mean Stanley. And, I'm saying this from the bottom of my heart; soldier to soldier." He paused and then added, "I'll come back at another time."
Roy faced the general. "Thank you, sir."
He attempted to salute despite the bandages, and the general did likewise. Spinning on his heels, the general briskly departed.
Nearly two months passed by quickly, and Roy made great strides in regaining his strength. As a constant companion, Nurse Lefebvre encouraged Roy to give more effort in his recovery exercises. Being around Nurse Lefebvre was exciting for Roy, for he had never been around a woman before his hospitalization. Her perfume and soft touch were intoxicating, reducing Roy to soft butter anytime she appeared. Roy never experienced being with a woman such as this, unless he counted the one incident right after boot camp.
Several of the fresh recruits were heading into the nearest town to have a drink and some fun. Stanley wanted to join them, so Roy came along to make sure his friend did not get into any trouble. They visited several bars and then the men finally settled for a house of ill-repute, causing boisterous and testosterone-filled-men to engage in strange behavior. Within an hour of their arrival, one by one the soldiers disappeared with a woman thinning the crowd and reducing the noise to zero. Eventually, Stanley found a lovely attractive red-head, who escorted him to someplace upstairs. Roy shook his head in disbelief watching his friend vanish with an enormous grin on his face. Meanwhile, Roy stood alone in the general area guzzling his soda.