LOVE AND WAR ( A story of peace and blood)

of the day flowed like warm soup. But that night, the air was thick with tension. The food sat untouched, the only sound being the

aze. His mother, Louis Watkins, a weary-looking woman with gentle eyes and cal

ump. "So this is what we've come to, huh?" he growled, e

ard, gripping hi

how many sons of farmers are topping their class right now? Look at Thompso

e, maybe it's not just abou

. "I work in the sun every single day! Break my back planting and harves

ting back the sting in his

se, John! Trying won't get you anywhere when the world

's just a boy, George! He's not you. He's not Th

ed, Louis? You bring home pennies from that little nurse job. You sit th

He's trying. And you? You come home drunk every other night, yel

om wen

d struck her across the cheek. The sound rang out l

her face, her eyes wide with pai

're the hero here? You're a coward, Louis! Crying every night when things don't

whispered. "I gave

ving the table overturned, plates shatte

he family's farmland. She collapsed near the edge of the corn rows, the moonlight cas

r, anger, and confusion. He found her kneeling in

he whi

ing her face. "John...

to be alone," he sa

e beside her. They sat in silence for

," John sa

at him. "Why are y

se I'm not smart enough. Becau

him closer. "Don't you ever believe that.

him. A man who fought for what he believed. But... over the years, the world hardened him. The war.

s head against

nued, "but to remind myself that life still

I don't want to be like Pa. I don't want

g, John. Be kind. But don't be weak like me

n said. "You're the st

nd him tightly. They cried together under the stars,

. Something that would one day guide him through war, thr