Tracie Peterson by Tidings of Peace Read Free Book Online Page A

emotions. She toyed with the ornaments for a moment before closing the trunk lid. “Kenny told us you were well on your way to becoming a great boxer. He figured you would probably be able to make a career of it after the war. Now here you are a wounded war hero. I can see why my feeble attempt at explaining our feelings for friends would sound silly.”
    “I’m no hero.” David felt his chest tighten. There was no way to explain his statement without revealing all of his ugly secrets. He chose the easy way out instead. As usual. “I’m surprised Kenny told you about the boxing.”
    She nodded. “He said you were very good.”
    David closed his eyes and pushed the memories aside. “It was Kenny’s attempt to redirect my aggression and give me some respectability. I’m afraid it was misdirected.” He steadied himself and looked at her again. A shaft of light fell across the room and highlighted her hair. Why did she have to be so pretty—so sweet and vulnerable?
    Uncomfortable with the silence, he grabbed for the trunk handle. “I’ll take this downstairs.”
    “Are you sure it’s not too heavy?” she questioned.
    “I may have a bum arm,” he told her, “but there’s still plenty of strength left in me.” He wondered if there was any truth in that statement. Somehow, he wasn’t at all convinced.

David refused to accompany the family to church the following morning. He told Ruth it was because of the way his arm felt, and in truth that was partly the reason. He needed to see a doctor and have his medication refilled. Funny, he thought, he hadn’t needed the pain pills nearly as often. What normally would have lasted him no more than three days had taken him through the week.
    Ruth had accepted his excuse, but she surprised David when she returned an hour later. He was sitting quietly beside the fire when she opened the door and came into the house. A light dusting of snow melted atop her wool coat and scarf.
    “I didn’t like the idea of you being alone,” she said softly in explanation.
    David wondered for a moment if she was worried that he might run off with the family silver. Then smiling to himself, he realized that in their simplicity of life, they had no silver. There was truly nothing here of any real value to steal. The things that were valuable were intangible, and no thief would ever be able to snatch them away.
    “I’m glad you came back,” he said, realizing he meant the words. “I wanted to apologize to you for how I acted last week at the flower shop.”
    Ruth hung up her coat and closed the closet door. She turned and smiled with such a look of love that David knew beyond any doubt she had already forgiven him.
    “I’m sorry I didn’t warn you ahead of time. I presumed upon your feelings, and I’m the one who should apologize.”
    David shook his head. “I just reacted and the thoughts that went through my head weren’t at all the kind I can share with you.”
    Ruth took a seat opposite him in a ladder-backed straight chair. “Why not?”
    “It’s just too awful to imagine. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.”
    “Not even the Japanese?”
    He looked at her hard. “Okay, so I would wish it on them. After all, they caused it.”
    “David, you can’t blame an entire race for the actions of a few. You also can’t continue to carry such hatred bottled up inside or it will destroy you.”
    “You don’t understand,” he said, looking away.
    “I don’t understand?” she questioned. “I don’t understand that this war has taken the life of my only son?” Her words forced him to look at her. “I don’t understand that hundreds of thousands of men have already died in Europe and now they’ve killed or will kill just as many in the South Pacific? I’m not stupid, David.”
    He began to stammer. “I . . . you aren’t . . . I never said . . .”
    “I know you didn’t call me stupid,” she replied softly, “but you think me rather naïve in my devotion to