“I hate to hear that. I’m very fond of Randy. Randy Banks is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s classified as a mental disorder that requires treatment. I’m going to the veterans hospital next week to talk to one of the counselors. I hope we can convince Randy to see someone over there.”

“I wish you good luck with that.”

Later, as Grace walked home, her mind picked up on her conversation with Bob regarding Amelia and Hannah. She understood Hannah better than Amelia. Hannah had greater depth and staying power, she thought, but Amelia’s charm and creativity amazed Grace, and she treasured Amelia’s humor and whimsical nature. Unfortunately, Amelia was jealous of Hannah and preferred being alone with Grace. But there were times when Hannah’s intolerance and expectations of Amelia seemed unreasonable.

As she turned into their driveway, Grace thought of her mother’s advice in difficult situations: “Wait and see.” Her mother’s counsel had often irritated her, yet it had proven wise. Left alone for a time, tempers cooled, reason prevailed, and new or additional information could help resolve disputes. She had considered confronting Hannah and Amelia. Now she wasn’t sure.

“I’ll wait and see,” Grace said aloud. As she exited her car and started up the driveway, she stepped into a depression in the gravel and nearly fell. As she checked her knee and back she felt suddenly old; like an old car her parts were wearing out. Good Lord, getting old is a drag. She shrugged and continued up the driveway. But better than the alternative.

10

Grace Gathers Information

The following Monday, Grace met with a counselor at the veterans hospital in Oteen, just east of Asheville, in his office in a small building just to the side of the main hospital. She introduced herself as a close friend of the family and shared with the counselor all that had transpired when she visited Randy, and her fears for his well-being.

“Randy was always optimistic and kind, a loving son and brother, before going off to war. He’d been enrolled in the technical college in a computer program.”

The counselor, whose long career had focused on such cases, was soft-spoken and kind. He explained that the sights and sounds of war led to the damage of the soldiers’ minds—post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

“In the process of becoming a soldier, one’s trained to kill,” he said. “And killing, seeing your friends killed, changes a person.” His eyes were sad. His voice and demeanor expressed deep caring. “War, with its killing and destruction, sets the stage for a loss of morality and values and turns many soldiers into savages. Acts are committed that don’t fit the range of one’s normal values or behaviors. Our boys change. This protracted war, the extended tours of duty, only make it worse.”