The Brittle Limit, a Novel (32 page)

“And Ben Goodnight?” Andrew asked.

“Caught in the crossfire.” Flint raised her
eyebrows at Andrew. “I think there were a couple details you left
out of your reporting.” She’d learned about the Veterans from
Severine, who had inquired after Andrew’s whereabouts with the US
Embassy following the Wat explosions.

From within Andrew’s bandaged body, came a
deep sigh.

“So what’s next for me?” Andrew asked.

“Well, I’ve got news. You’ve been cleared.
That face of yours is so messed up, no one's ever gonna recognize
you in the field. And what you did at that temple, well, it speaks
for itself.”

“I’ve been cleared?” The surprise was evident
in Andrew’s voice. “You're saying you guys want me back?”

“Yeah.” Flint smiled and shrugged. “We want
you back. Waddaya think?”

Andrew turned his head to stare out the
window at the wide-open sky.

“It’s good news. Great.” His words were
halted and thoughtful. He turned back to Flint. “But first, with
your OK, I think I’ll take a vacation.”

*******

In Cambodia, the Ch’kai, the Barangs, the
foreigners stayed. And many more came, arriving in droves, from
cities spanning the globe. They came to help rebuild a nation’s
sacred places. They were not afraid. In fact, they were braver than
they had ever been, spurred to action by the pain and loss of
others. The Cambodian people welcomed them, hopes soaring for
tomorrow.

Hate saw it had no home here and so it moved
on. There would be other places and other times. It had learned
that much.