The Warrior's Heart by Eric Greitens

Author:Eric Greitens
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Juan Carlos

Even though we tried to keep the boys safe and healthy, it sometimes felt like a battle that could never really be won. One day Juan Carlos, a boy from Don Bosco—a neighboring home for children of the street—was taken to the hospital. His injuries were minor—a broken collarbone—and he was expected to recover quickly, but poor medical care caused complications that led to an infection. Soon he contracted typhoid and died.

They brought his body to a small chapel near the home, and some of the boys went to see him. When Eddie and Adolpho walked in, they approached the open casket hesitantly. It rested on a pedestal three or four feet high, and I had to hoist Adolpho up and hold him so he could see his friend.

Juan Carlos lay at peace, his face smooth and even younger-looking in death. Dark hair, neatly combed. Closed eyes. He wore a crisp white shirt and clean navy pants. A plastic cross rested against his narrow chest.

The boys said a prayer and ran out. Part of me wanted to go with them, back out into the sunshine, to a place full of life. But I sat there, keeping vigil, as other boys came in to pay their respects.

Fourteen-year-old Pablo walked in with Carlos, ten. They stood side by side looking at the body. Then Pablo laid his arm over Carlos’s shoulder, in direct imitation, I thought, of Jason when he comforted the boys.

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