Laurels Literary Magazine Spring 2015 | Page 63

that line the rocky roads. And then he thinks about Quinton. He thinks about the child running toward his buddy, Quinton. He thinks about watching Quinton bend down to talk to the boy. He thinks about the bomb. How soldier and child alike were no match for the suicide vest. He thinks about watching them die. Helpless. Squeezing his eyes tighter, Beau thinks about seeing them again. About saying how sorry he is to Quinton. And about forgiving the little insurgent—too young to know better. No longer scared or numb, he smiles and waits for the end. The release. E [52]