Chapter 4 - Peace

Just before dawn the next morning, Hogan slowly pushed at the large cinderblock that served as the tunnel entrance into the cooler, trying not to make much noise. He finally got it open and slid through the opening into the cell. He was surprised to find Newkirk tightly curled up on the cot, wrapped in blankets, with his head pillowed on Schultz' knees. From the sound of the soft snores, he appeared to be sleeping quite deeply. Schultz sat with his back leaning against the wall, his eyes closed and his left hand on the Corporal's back. Hogan knelt in front of the German guard and gently touched his arm.

"How is he, Schultz?" he whispered.

Schultz opened his eyes, startled to see the American Colonel crouched down in front of him. "Colonel Hogan!" he whined. "How did you get in here?"

"Is it really important right now?" Hogan put a gentle hand on Newkirk's shoulder. "I'm just as surprised to see you in here Schultz."

Schultz recognized the intense concern for his man in the officer's eyes and relented. "Nein. It is not."

"I see you were able to calm him down. Did you find out what had him so upset?"

Schultz nodded tiredly. "It has been a very long night Colonel."

"I can imagine." Newkirk stirred and grunted, prompting Hogan to remove his hand from his shoulder.

Schultz put a finger to his lips and whispered, "We can talk later, ja Colonel? Newkirk needs to rest." He gently massaged the Englishman's back until he settled down and returned to sleep. "Do not worry. I will bring Newkirk back to the barracks after he wakes up."

Hogan nodded and stood. He could see his Corporal was in good hands. As he turned to leave, he said, "Oh Schultz? You might want to close your eyes."

Schultz smiled. "Ja Colonel. I told Corporal Langenscheidt to count Newkirk as present, since he is in the cooler. Tell him to come see me if he has any questions." He closed his eyes.

"Thanks Schultz! I'll see you later."

Schultz waited a few minutes before opening his eyes. Hogan was gone. He chuckled to himself. As usual, I see nothing! Nothing!

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Peter had seriously thought and meditated on the things Schultz had told him that night in the cooler so long ago. Everything the German guard said eventually made sense to him. Maybe, just maybe, there was a time in his father's life when he had truly loved his only son. Even if just for the briefest of times before the war destroyed the man he was. He liked to think that perhaps his Da had burst into tears of pure happiness when he had held his only son for the first time. He knew it wasn't much to hang on to, but he cleaved to that thought for the rest of his time in Stalag 13 and found that he was finally able to lay his father to rest.

Peter followed the gun carriage with his eyes and continued to hold his salute as it rolled past. Immediately following was the horse drawn Irish State Coach carrying the new Queen, the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret and the Princess Royal. The rest of the somber procession followed after; the Royal Dukes, various dignitaries, foreign royalty and military units all passed by on foot. The crowd was utterly silent, as if every person there collectively held their breath.

Mavis whispered to her nephew, "I'm sorry Robbie boy, I'm going to have to put you down for a mo'. Let me arms have a bit of rest, then I'll pick you back up okay?"

"'kay Auntie Mave." He clutched at the hem of her skirt as he stood beside her. He stuck his thumb in his mouth and peered up at his father.

Peter had dropped his salute after the passage of the State Coach, but still stood at rigid attention throughout the remainder of the procession, his head held high. He didn't bother to wipe away the tears that streamed down his face.

Robbie stared at his father. He took his thumb out of his mouth, looked up at Mavis and tugged on her skirt. She glanced down at her nephew with her eyebrows raised. "Auntie, why is da cryin'?"

Mavis looked over at her brother, standing at attention, standing so straight, standing so tall, standing so very, very...

Peter had shared the insights he had gained on their father with her and helped her to make her own peace with their difficult childhood. She knew exactly what this moment meant to her older brother, so she crouched down to look his firstborn son in the eyes and make sure he got the sense of her words. "Because he's proud, Robbie. Because he's proud."