May 27th

9C rain. Yuk!
Off to Juan De Fuca men's bowling this am. Yep, even in the rain.

The story - ending.

I nodded then said, “On leave eh, were you overseas?”

He stared into the fire and the smoke in a wayward change drifted across his face, his face twisted in a look of pain but it wasn’t the smoke that caused the look. Of that I was certain.

He almost visibly shrugged, then said, “Yeah I was there. Just got back a couple weeks ago.” He looked up and looked me right in the eye, “That’s why I’m here.” He waved his arm, “Out there.”

I had heard of some of the stories coming out of Vietnam and I suddenly caught on, I could see the pain in his eyes.

I looked at my watch and said, “Hey, it’ll soon be supper time, we got lots here, would you like to eat with us?”

He hesitated then slowly nodded. “Sure, thanks.”

I said, “Okay. My wife and I will get things going, if you want to try for a couple of fish for later, you can use my rod. Andy and Steve can show you where we cast from.” I knew that he had been watching us but thought there was no harm in pretending I didn’t know.

Between the three of them they caught four nice fish and returned to the fire just as everything was ready. Supper was a quiet affair with the three kids doing most of the entertaining. I knew by now that the war was a non subject and anytime the kids wanted to go there, my wife and I steered them on to something else.

After supper we cleaned up the dishes and soon the kids were in bed. He stayed with us at the fire until it was quite dark then suddenly stood up, thanked us for dinner and the loan of the rod. “I better go now, thanks again.” He turned and disappeared into the darkness his fish in hand.

We never saw him again, I never again saw any movement in the bush near our camp. Whether he moved on or watched from further away I have no idea.

He was there then he wasn’t.

I hope our wilderness excised his torments and if they did I would like to think that perhaps we helped.