“I remember it so clearly.”

“You were like you always were. Your hair needed brushing, and your hands still had a bit of dirt and ink on them, and you smelled like apples and grass, and I remember thinking that maybe you’d meet someone over there, some girl who would appreciate you, get you to comb your hair and tuck in your shirt…”

“…maybe even get a little exercise. Do some sit ups.

Surely you found someone? Surely there was a woman in England who, just for a little while, thought about you all the time and dreamed of making you her’s?”

“Whatever she remembers or doesn’t remember right now, there must have been.”

“That night you were as serious as ever I saw you be.

“You told me you were worried about your parents. You said that they might lose either you or Leon, that was a possibility everyone had to face in wartime.”

And then you smiled, and said, ‘I think my parents are coming to love you.’

You asked if I could come to love them in the same way, if I could stay close to them in case you, or Leon, or even both of you, didn’t come back.”

And if Leon came back and not you… You shook your head and you laughed. ‘Leon, he’s not half as tough as he thinks he is,’ you told me.

You said that being Leon’s wife was going to be hard, but thatever the future held, whatever decisions I had to make, I must try to hurt him as little as possible.

You said, ‘He’s my kid brother, and I didn’t pay close attention one night, didn’t take as good care of him as I should have.’

You said that maybe you’d tell me about it someday, or maybe Leon would.

“You said you were entrusting your family to me. ‘We’re special,’ you said, special in ways that might seem terrible to me, or might seem wonderful, ‘But when you come right down to it, we’re like everybody else.’

You warned me that I’d hear a lot in the future about talent, and I’d learn about Leon’s moods. ‘Please, please, please, don’t forget,’ you said, ‘whatever you learn about us, that we’re human beings. All of us.’

“You gave me advice about everyone. ‘If you need material comfort, go to Aunt Laurette,’ you said. ‘If you need spiritual comfort, her husband, Artiste. If you are frightened by anything, go to Papa. If you want to have fun, go to Mama while she’s not painting. She does a day shopping with the girls better than anyone else.’

‘And if you want the absolute, unvarnished truth — talk to Uncle Greg, and be persistent and direct.’

“You said goodbye to me there.”

“You were so kind, so good. And I promised you everything.’

“I remember every moment I knew you.

“I remember every word you spoke to me. I remember every smile. I have taken your advice. And I will keep my promise with a full and willing heart. Your parents are mine. I love them more than I ever loved the people who raised me.”

“Whatever the future holds, I will be a Duday. I will be with them.”