Chapter 2 - The Man Nobody Recognized
“Open it.”
General Bennett handed me the envelope.
Mom immediately shook her head.
“Maybe we should do this somewhere private.”
The general glanced at the nurses watching us.
“You’re right.”
We went into a small family waiting room.
The five officers remained outside.
I sat beside Mom.
General Bennett stood by the window.
I opened the envelope.
Inside was one folded sheet.
The handwriting was Mr. Arthur’s.
Chloe,
If Bennett found you, then my quiet little vacation is over.
I smiled despite myself.
That sounded exactly like him.
I kept reading.
You asked me once why people break promises.
I gave you the wrong answer.
Some people don’t.
You didn’t.
For sixty-one days, you walked through my door when nobody else did.
Don’t ever let important people convince you that kindness only matters when someone is watching.
There is something I need you to do.
Come see me one more time.
Bring the cookie.
—Arthur
I looked up.
“Where is he?”
General Bennett answered.
“Walter Reed.”
Mom frowned.
“Why transfer him there?”
“Because Colonel Hayes is entitled to specialized military care.”
“Then why wasn't he receiving it before?”
The general’s expression hardened.
“That is exactly what I intend to find out.”
Mom looked uncomfortable.
“He told people his name was Arthur Hayes. Nobody knew he was a colonel.”
“He wanted it that way.”
“Why?”
Bennett pulled out a chair.
“Arthur Hayes spent thirty-four years in the Army.”
He paused.
“He served in three major overseas deployments. He commanded men under fire. He received decorations he refused to display. After retirement, he disappeared from military circles.”
“Why?”
“His wife died.”
That part I knew.
“Her name was Margaret,” I said.
Bennett looked surprised.
“He told you?”
“Only once.”
The general nodded slowly.
“Margaret was the center of his life.”
“What about his children?”
Bennett’s face changed.
“He had a son.”
Had.
I noticed the word.
“What happened?”
“His son, David, was also an Army officer.”
Mom quietly reached for my hand.
Bennett continued.
“David was killed overseas seventeen years ago.”
I stared at the table.
Suddenly Mr. Arthur’s refusal to talk about children made sense.
“After David died,” Bennett said, “Arthur blamed himself.”
“For what?”
“David joined the Army because of him.”
“That doesn't make it his fault.”
“No.”
Bennett looked directly at me.
“But grief isn't always reasonable.”
I thought about Mr. Arthur sitting alone beside the window.
“Why didn't anybody visit him?”
“That’s complicated.”
“Adults say that when they don't want to answer.”
Mom whispered, “Chloe.”
General Bennett almost smiled.
“She’s right.”
He leaned forward.
“Arthur cut people off. Friends called. He stopped answering. Former soldiers tried visiting. He moved. Eventually people lost track of him.”
“Except you.”
“I lost him too.”
“Then how did you find him?”
Bennett glanced at the cookie bag.
“You.”
“What?”
“Three days ago, Arthur called me.”
My mouth fell open.
“He had your number?”
“For forty-two years.”
“What did he say?”
The general was quiet for several seconds.
“His first words were, ‘Bennett, I think I’ve been an idiot.’”
Mom smiled.
I did too.
“What did you say?”
“I told him that wasn't breaking news.”
I laughed.
Then Bennett became serious again.
“He told me about a ten-year-old girl who visited him every day.”
“Me.”
“You.”
“Why?”
“He said you reminded him that being alone and being forgotten weren't the same thing.”
I looked down at the cookie.
“Is he sick?”
Bennett didn't answer immediately.
My smile disappeared.
“How sick?”
“His heart is failing.”
Mom squeezed my hand.
“Can they fix it?”
“They’re going to try.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
I stood.
“Then I’m going.”
Mom said, “Chloe—”
“He asked me.”
“Walter Reed isn't down the hall.”
General Bennett stood too.
“Transportation has already been arranged.”
Mom stared at him.
“You arranged transportation for my daughter?”
“For both of you.”
“General—”
“Arthur Hayes once crossed hostile territory to pull me out after my vehicle was hit.”
His voice softened.
“I can arrange a ride for the person who taught him how to pick up a telephone.”
Mom looked at me.
I lifted the bag.
“The cookie will be stale tomorrow.”
May you like
General Bennett opened the door.
“Then we’d better find a bakery.”
