52
The Hole
Enzo was hugely comforted by Pietro’s constant bursts of song from The Hole, most of the day and well after lights out. He knew that Pietro’s broken ribs were likely inhibiting any kind of full aria, but the guy was making an effort, which was a relief.
As a show of solidarity, the men gathered every night around the perimeter fence that separated The Hole from the rest of the camp, and as one voice, they sang along with Pietro. Antonio well remembered Pietro’s constant chatter; though he couldn’t always hear the actual words, he was immensely comforted. He told all the men what his friend had done for him, and because of it, there was always someone on the perimeter, keeping Pietro sane.
The guards had all but stopped their policing of the camp. What was the use? The war w
