Free Rhineland Inheritance by T. Davis Bunn

away. This the majority choose to do. Nowadays we are seeing thousands of men who simply refuse to leave the base except when on duty. Others do leave, but all they allow themselves to see is their hunger—for sex,for drink, for some gratification or another. Still others see nothing but their own hate. They remain blinded at will, and view their own pain and anger as justification for a nation’s suffering.”
    â€œAre they wrong?”
    â€œI try not to judge anyone, Jake. But I think their lives are misery. They remain imprisoned within themselves. God holds the key, of course. With forgiveness. With love. With compassion. And with healing. But only if they ask for it. And to ask they have to recognize their internal prison for what it is. That I see as my job, to be a mirror for anyone struggling to look with honesty. To help them see the lies they tell themselves for what they are.”
    They detoured around a building that had slipped from its destroyed foundations and created a hillock in the middle of the road. When they reached the other side, Jake asked, “And the third?”
    â€œThe third choice is to learn to take each day as it comes, and to do what you can with what you have. This means learning that you cannot avoid seeing the suffering of others, which is hard. Extremely hard. I would imagine that it would be impossible to do this without the strength of God in your heart. At least a believer can respond to this suffering with prayer. But the key is to learn to do with what you have, Jake. That is the central issue. Do not see yourself as a failure because you can’t touch all who suffer. Recognize that universal healing can only come through Jesus Christ, and accept your assigned task. Then do all you can with everything you’ve been given.”

Chapter Five
    They returned from the second meeting to find Sally Anders still at the créche. Jake walked through the door and was met with the cocked head, the hands on hip, the blunt, “Well?”
    â€œWell what?”
    â€œDon’t be obtuse, soldier. How did it go?”
    Chaplain Fox answered for him. “It went splendidly. I do believe they have taken to both Jake and his idea.”
    Jake fumbled about with his cap, bent over to stroke the cheek of a passing little girl. Finally he glanced back at Sally. She watched him with a small smile playing across her lips. “You may invite me out to dinner, Captain Burnes,” she said. “If you like.”
    â€œI like very much,” he said.
    â€œI know a little place not far from here. A farmhouse. Probably the only decent restaurant for miles. You can pay with dollars, chocolate, cigarettes, booze, or food.”
    â€œSally, I think you should know I didn’t do this for you. Well, not entirely. That is—”
    â€œI know, I know,” she said, reaching for his arm. “That’s why I accept.”
    Jake pushed open the créche door, waved a farewell to the smiling chaplain, said, “Step into my Rolls, and let me take you away from all this.”
    â€œIf only you could, soldier,” Sally said, mounting the stairs. “If only you really could.”
    ****
    They climbed a hill out of the city, passed through deep forest as darkness descended, then came over a crest and entered a clearing that stretched out for what seemed like miles. A cluster of farm buildings offered the only sign of life. The farmhouse was a vast structure, rising among a series ofstables and barns that covered over an acre. Lit by lanterns and warmed by a sweet-scented wood fire, the farmhouse was the first sign of coziness Jake had seen in months.
    â€œThis is terrific,” he said, taking his place at the end of a long farm-style trestle table. “How did you find it?”
    â€œBeing one of the few American women around means I field all kinds of offers,” Sally replied, settling herself across from Jake. “You should know that,