The music played, the couples swayed. Fourteen years ago all he wanted was to see his father's face again. But tonight...Tonight...Oh tonight, life is good once more. The wars behind him, tonight is so good.

Hello? Could I get a cup of coffee. It's awful stuff. Been sitting here all day, probably. Ick. Looking down into the paper cup, he cringes inside and thinks of the letter, YET AGAIN. I see you see me through that window. Don't turn your nose up. Well, you can if you need to. You won't be the first or last.

Looks up at the boy behind the counter. Thanks, kid. Here. Keep it. As he walked out the door, all he could think of was running through that jungle. The misery. But he would trade it for this. Dismiss that thought, man. Dismiss it. And whoever knows what happened to him when he walked out that glass door is smarter than me. Ha!

The hand that writes this letter sweeps the pillow clean.

Please rest your head, entreat a treasured dream.

I would tear my soul to cease the pain.

I am not quite sure what we're supposed to do.

They say your life is going very well.

They say you sparkle like a different girl.

And when he's strong; he's strong for you.

I'm not quite sure what you're supposed to say.

He makes you laugh.

hold on for a second. Yes? I don't know him. I think you have the wrong number. Yes. That's the same number. Sorry.

The listener remembers the lies far longer than the speaker knows he has spoken them. The moment he realized this, Daniel understood it was morning. At last, light. Let's go.

[continue]