Alex closed the door of the house that he and Bob shared in the town, on the morning after Barbara had been rescued. He started into the street, and at once stopped to see Maria walking towards him, shotgun slung on her shoulder, and pistol gently slapping her thigh as she approached. He grinned at her, raised his hands, and said,

"Don't shoot. I surrender."

"That's not funny Alex. Especially since yesterday." She looked at the house. Nodding her head, she asked, "Is he up yet?"

"He's been up most of the night. His back is really hurting him, though he won't admit it. And I know there is a set of sheets in there that will never be used again."

"If he's bleeding that badly, why didn't you get Kathy?"

"It wasn't bad, but every time he would roll over or something he's bleed a little. Besides, you know Dad. He wouldn't let me. 'There's no point in waking Kathy for something she can't do anything about. I'll be alright.' or something like it, is what he kept saying."

"That sounds like him. Think it's O.K. for me to go in?"

"Sure. He's trying to get dressed, but he has his pants on."

"Trying?"

"Like I said. His back is hurting. He's having a time with his shirt. And no, he wouldn't let me help."

"Thanks. Maybe I can get him to see reason."

"Good luck. I've got guard duty, otherwise I'd help you."

"That's alright. You go ahead."

Maria entered the room quietly and found Bob doing his best to find a way to put on a shirt that didn't involve moving his right arm and shoulder too much.

"Let me help you."

"What? Oh, Maria. I didn't hear you come in. It's O.K. I can manage."

"It doesn't look like it from here. Come on, let me help." She moved closer to him.

"Really, I don't want to be a burden. I can still pull my own weight."

Instead of answering, Maria walked up to Bob, smiled at him, and with the middle finger of her right hand flicked him, as hard as she could, in the middle of the forehead.

"Ow. What was that for?"

"I though it might help to get your brain started. Bob, do you know how important you are to everyone around here?"

"I don't like to think about that. After all, The Bible says;

Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

My importance isn't up to me to decide."

Maria thumped Bob in the forehead again. when he looked at her she said,

"It didn't work the first time. Bob, scripture also says,

Luk 14:8 When thou art bidden of any [man] to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;

Luk 14:9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.

Luk 14:10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

You're not the only one who knows The Bible. Now, like it or not, you go to the high room."

"Well, I don't know about that."

"BOB! Momma WILL spank. You know your place, it is time to accept it."

He grinned at her and said, "Yes Mother. Why did you come here this early anyway?"

"I thought that after stopping a bullet for me, buying you breakfast was the least I could do."

"Now that I can accept, if you'll help me with this shirt that is."

She smiled back at him. "That's an improvement."


BW, Vietnam Vet