"A man don't survive two times in jail."

The words echoed in Nathan's head, hours after his Uncle had said them.

Was he right?

Granted, jail had been no cakewalk the first time and he could think of a lot of places he would have rather been. Yeah, it was lonely and could be dangerous, but he had managed.

What if this time, this time there were people there who wouldn't like the reasons he was in there?

Today, when he was leaving his meeting with the draft board, a couple of elderly men glared at him and one said in a defiant voice.

"C is for coward."

It took all he could to walk away.

C.O. Consciencious Objector.

That would forever be branded on his record. He was proud of that.

But the people in jail, what would they think of those two little letters?

And his Mama. She was so ashamed of him going to jail again.

He hadn't seen her in close to a year, and there here she shows up all smiles and laughing, only to completely change her tune when he told her.

Doesn't anyone see that this is important?

Just Sam, and Meg Pryor. As much as he hates it, he's grateful to her for getting him that appointment with that professor. Maybe she's not all bad like he thought. That professor even made him think a little when he asked him what he would do if someone came after his family. Made him find a completely new avenue to explore in his religion than before.

C.O.

Consciencious Objector.

That C don't stand for coward.

"A man don't survive two times in jail."

But he's sure as hell gonna try.