The United States Army drafted Albert in 1941. At the same time, Cleo volunteered. World War II strengthened, and the U.S. Military needed every healthy man they could get. The draft cutoff was thirty-five years of age. Cleo was thirty-one and Albert twenty-six, both older than the other soldiers.
“You’re f*****g crazy. The army won’t take you, you sorry f**k,” Walter screamed like a banshee in Cleo’s head.
This motivated Cleo to work harder to hide Walter. Somehow, Cleo passed the test, and the army sent him to basic training.
Albert missed his wife and kids, but he had to go. Rusty was six years old, Roberta four. Albert cried on the bus riding to the Fort Sill Army base a little north of Lawton, Oklahoma. Albert felt panicked, his mouth dry like cotton. When nervous, his mouth always
