"I think that's a very good idea, General," Don Fernando said.
"You're not going to stop that, are you? Calling me 'General'?"
"You have to understand, Harry," Don Fernando said, "that I never got any higher than major, and never very close to general officers."
"When Jorge and I were in 'Nam, we thought majors were God," Wilson said.
"So did we majors in Korea," Don Fernando said.
They laughed.
"I never thought majors were God, did you, Gringo?" Fernando Lopez asked Charley in a mock innocent tone.
"Fernando!" Dona Alicia Castillo said.
The wife of Don Fernando-and grandmother of Fernando Lopez and Charley Castillo-was a slight woman, her black hair heavily streaked with gray and pulled tight around her head. She wore a single strand of large pearls around her neck. Her only other jewelry consisted of two gold, miniature branch insignias-Armor and Aviation, honoring Fernando and Charley, respectively-pinned to the bosom of her simple black dress and her wedding and engagement rings.
She was an elegant, dignified, and formidable lady.
Don Fernando smiled. "My darling, Fernando's been calling him that from the moment Carlos got off the plane. What makes you think he'll stop now?"
"Actually, Fernando," Charley said, "now that I think about it, no, I never thought majors were God-like. Other comparisons, however, have occurred to me from time to time."
Dona Alicia shook her head.
"May I finish, gentlemen?" Wilson asked. "As I was saying, I will order that they be copied with great care, enlarged, and three copies made of each. You should have your complete set in San Antonio by Friday."
"Oh, my God, you don't have to do that," Don Fernando said.
"Oh, yes, I do," Wilson said. "I'm only sorry that I didn't…"
"What happened, happened," Don Fernando said. "You tried."
"And our number is unlisted," Dona Alicia said. "You couldn't be expected to find someone who isn't in the book."
"My wife and I were deeply touched by your letter," Don Fernando said.
"Yes, we were, Harry," Dona Alicia said. "It was heartfelt. And then the maid threw it out before I could reply. Things happened that kept us from getting together before this. I'm just so glad it finally happened."
"General," Castillo said, "may I ask a question?"
"Of course, Charley."
"Sir, aren't you a little concerned that somebody might recognize the second lieutenant standing next to my father?"
"Yes, I am. But I don't see what I can do about that, do you?"
"I don't understand," Dona Alicia said.
"For what it's worth, General, I hope a lot of people do," Castillo said.
The general didn't reply.
"Thank you, Charley," Mrs. Bethany Wilson said. "And so do I."
"I have hanging in my office," Don Fernando said, "Jorge's medal and a photograph, a terrible one taken when he graduated from flight school. I will replace the photograph with this one."
"That's a great idea," Charley said.