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9. Our Deepest Sympathies
- University of North Texas Press
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167 our deepest sympathies The boy watched the khaki-colored, government-issued sedan cruise slowly past him. He was seated on the curb just outside of the Officer’s Club Pool, shaded by the awning. A light blue towel lay draped across his shoulders. His swimming trunks dampened the sidewalk beneath him. Through the open door at his back came the riotous sounds of splashing and children at play in the naked heat of summer. The car’s occupants—two soldiers in wheel caps—were turned toward the row of identical houses that lined the opposite side of the street. The two men appeared to be scanning the nameplates affixed neatly to each of the screened-in porches. After several taps on the brakes, the car sped up, turned right on Sheridan Road and disappeared. The boy rose and patted himself off with the towel. He stepped over to a nearby bike rack and wrestled one of the bikes free. He mounted the bike and rolled forward to the rim of the curb, but did not leave the shade. Instead, he sat and waited and watched the road. The car soon reappeared, having circled around the block. The hot air rising off the asphalt made the car appear to be moving underwater. The boy examined the car more intently, concentrating on the faces of its occupants. The driver was white and the passenger was black. Both men wore green 168 LAST KNOWN POSITION army dress coats. The boy could see that they were still looking at the nameplates and seemed to be arguing with one another until the black soldier pointed emphatically at one of the houses. The car swung into the empty driveway and parked. When the two men exited the car, the boy saw that they were junior officers, in full dress, complete with polished shoulder boards, ribbons, and chrome unit insignia. They adjusted themselves and strode toward the house. The boy pushed forward, bounced off the curb and into the parking lot. He winced as he entered the blinding afternoon sun and nearly lost his balance. By the time he peddled across the street and into the driveway, the two men had emerged from the screened porch and were returning to their car. The black officer was the taller of the two, but only because the white one had taken on a deflated, weary look as if the sun were riding him down. His face was densely freckled and sweating. Both men wore aviator sunglasses. “You guys looking for the Mastersons?” the boy said as he drew to a stop in front of them. “That’s right,” the black officer said. His voice was deep and carried through the heat. “You live here, son?” The boy pointed back over his shoulder, past the pool parking lot toward a cluster of brick duplexes.The buildings were arranged around a static display of World War II-era anti-aircraft cannon. “See that 105 on the end?” the boy said. “My house is right on the other side.” “That’s nice,” the white officer said, but he was looking at his watch. “Tyler’s a friend of mine,” the boy said. “Who?” “Tyler. Tyler Masterson.” The black officer leaned over and whispered into the ear of his partner. [34.205.142.9] Project MUSE (2024-03-29 13:25 GMT) Our Deepest Sympathies 169 “Ah,” the white officer said. “He’s not here,” the boy said. “Thanks, kid. We figured that out when nobody answered the door.” “Major Masterson isn’t here either. He’s in Iraq.” The white officer started to speak, but the black officer cut him off. “We’re actually here to see Mrs. Masterson.” “He flies helicopter gunships,” the boy said. “Apache Longbows . They can fire over 600 rounds per minute and that’s just their 30-millimeter cannon. They took out over forty tanks and armored vehicles in the first six hours of the war.” The white officer sighed and checked his watch again. “Shouldn’t you be in school, kid?” he said. “Red flag day,” the boy said. “Too hot. They let us out early.” The excuse appeared to annoy the white officer and he turned to his partner. “Do they do that?” The black officer shrugged. “Where’d you get your combat badge?” the boy said to the black officer. The man glanced down at his ribbon display, then removed his sunglasses and squatted until he was eye-level with the boy.“Where...