But David had seen dogfights in the air and flaming airplanes fall. Every field in Prussia was scored and pitted. He’d heard bombs all his life. In fact, the silence of Galway often disturbed him. “When are they starting again?” he’d ask. In our journey to Antwerp, horrors had bloomed in his fever: bloated bodies, charred houses, dazed men walking, and bands of thieves. For Tom to say “Sometimes I think I’m still back there” made perfect sense to David. But still he was wary.“You made my Numa cry. I heard her.”“I know that. I’m very sorry.”“And her arms are scratched. I saw them.”“Yes, I know.”“You said you’d show me Lilli’s tricks in the morning.”“And I didn’t. I left.”David set Bucephalus on the table between them and folded his arms. Judge Ashton never seemed so fierce. Tom glanced at me. All I could offer was help in translating. Tom wiped his brow and pulled a chair closer. “It’s like this, David. I’d waited for a long time to see your mother.
