Dialogue

Leper’s mother took me aside after dinner.

"I’m sorry I was short with you earlier, but when your son comes home and keeps himself in the dining room everyday, all day, well, you’d be a little upset too."

"That’s ok Mrs. Lepellier." I said. After a moment, "Can you tell me anything you know about what happened to him?"

She sighed softly.

"I don’t really know for sure, I mean, when he told us he had decided to sign up for the war, we were proud, but we knew he wasn’t cut out for it. Then he came back and all he’s said is that there’s an arm there, or a leg here, and really all there is is a chair or sofa, and he must stay in the dining room."

As tears came to her eyes, I whispered, "I’m sorry."

"I am too, and all his father and I can do is pray that he recovers or a doctor can help him. I’m glad you came though, he’s been talking about you coming to visit like he knew for sure you’d come." "Why don’t you take a walk with him Gene? Try to get his side of the story, maybe something he’d only tell a friend."

"Okay Mrs. Leppellier." I said, and went back into the dining room to find Leper.

by Autumn