Palace Dog by R.E. Nelson

Author:R.E. Nelson [Nelson, R.E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2015-02-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

“CHRIST,” RANDY declared one day not long after. “Would you look at that? Richard would piss blood if he were here.”

I stepped away from the mail window and looked over Randy’s shoulder to read Richard’s name on the school defense unit roster posted on the bulletin board.

While I quickly scanned the other names on the list, searching for Randy’s and mine, Randy went to check his mail and returned moments later waving an envelope. “Speaking of the devil.”

“Richard?” I continued to read the list.

“None other.”

“Wonder why they missed us?” I moved with Randy to an empty table.

“They’ll get us next round, no doubt.” Randy sighed, hitting the envelope against the edge of the table before opening it.

“They’ll need a replacement for Richard.”

“They listed alternatives.” He tore a thin piece of the envelope away. “One of them will get it.”

I watched as Randy began to read Richard’s letter. It had been close to a month since the incident with Hoa, and Randy hadn’t spoken about it any more. It was strange having the tables turned. Now, at the end of the day, it was I who ran to the waiting cyclos and Randy who remained on the bus. Had my situation downtown been any better, I probably would have found it amusing. But while I liked being out of the barracks, away from the military for a while, I found myself not only alone, but lonely.

Thao had come once since the last visit, but I had been out. When I returned, the landlady handed me the carefully folded raincoat, a bag of small Vietnamese bananas, and a short note that simply said, Thank you teacher. I come to see you soon. I was disappointed I had missed him.

“Well,” Randy said, passing the letter across to me. “He sounds the same.”

I opened the thin paper of the letter. It had been addressed to Randy but written to us both.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.