“I waited that night until everyone in the house was asleep, and I ran away from home. I hitchhiked into Tulsa, got an emergency hospital to patch me up, lied about my age and joined the army. They weren’t being fussy—they needed everyone they could get for Africa. I always volunteered for the toughest jobs they could give me.” He shrugged. “I guess I’ve been trying to prove I’m not a coward.”
“Your father’s been dead a long time now,” Hawker said quietly.
“I know. Maybe that’s why it’s so hard to prove it to the bastard.” He paused. “What about you?”
“Me?”
“Yeah. Why are you in the Army?”
Hawker shrugged. “I never thought about it much. I guess it was easier than not being in the army.”
Symington gave a polite cough. “You’re gonna have to explain that one to me.”
“My mom was always
