As for myself, the thing I have learned best is that when you are afraid, it is best to face the thing you fear and move toward it resolutely. I recognize that to an unarmed man facing a hungry tiger this may sound like questionable advice. I am going to Vietnam to meet the tiger and discover whatever moral armament I possess as a human being and as a man.

The watch that accompanies this letter has been passed for many generations to the eldest son. I pray that, through you, it will continue to be handed down many times. Occasionally, polish the angels and oil the works. Be good to your mother, who loves you and will need your love and support. Remember the family from which you have come, and that you had a father who knew that very good things would come from you.

With my deepest love,

Rafael Meomartino.

He wrapped the watch carefully, first stuffing the box with wads of The Christian Science Monitor to guard against shocks. Then he wrote a short, explanatory covering note to Samourian.

When he was through he sat and looked around the cool pleasant room, thinking of subleasing, thinking about furniture storage. In a few minutes he went to the telephone and called Ted Bergstrom in Lexington and asked for and received, if with some coolness, a telephone number in Los Angeles. He placed the call immediately, but he had not reckoned on the three-hour time lapse.

It was not until ten o’clock that evening that his telephone rang and the call was completed.

“Hello, Peg?” he said. “This is Rafe Meomartino. How are you? . . . Good . . . I’m fine, just fine. I’m divorced, or that is I will be at any moment, I guess. . . . Yes. Well . . . Look, I’m passing through California in a couple of weeks, and I’d love to see you . . .

“You would? Marvelous! Listen, do you remember telling me once that we had nothing in common? Well, this is the damnedest thing . . .”

19: Adam Silverstone

19

Adam Silverstone