Sol was quieter than usual after they bowed their heads for the suppertime blessing. Ellie felt as if she had to carry the conversation, talking about everything except Evan’s injury. She wished she knew what Sol was thinking at the head of the table she’d set with their good dishes.

“I’ll be packing my uniform away up in the attic, out of sight. The Purple Heart medal, too,” Evan shared. “They stir up memories I want to forget. Reminds me of everything I turned my back on. Other soldiers are proud of all that, but I was never really one of them.”

“That’s all up to you, Bruder,” Ellie said, passing the big bowl of green beans to Sol as she considered what Dawdi had told them earlier.

A shadow seemed to pass over Evan’s face. “Three of my closest buddies died in the explosion that nearly took my life,” he said more quietly. “Sometimes at night, I see flashes when I close my eyes, reminding me of the nonstop horror we saw night and day. And then there are the nightmares. I wake up drenched with sweat.”

A lump rose in her throat. “I wish there was somethin’ I could do.”

“Tying my shoes would be a start.” Evan sounded embarrassed to say it.

Sol leaned forward at the table. “Whatever ya need, Evan, we’re here for you, and we want our home to be a place of refuge. I know Hezekiah invited ya to move over there, but Ellie and I want ya to stay with us however long you’d like.”

Evan looked surprised and frowned a little. “I appreciate this, comin’ from you. You were the better man, Sol . . . choosin’ the way of peace.” His voice broke. “It means . . . more than I can say.”

“We don’t have to talk about any of that,” Ellie said, seeing how grim and beaten down he looked. “You’ve had more than enough trouble for one lifetime.”

“Ellie’s right,” Sol said. “Your family truly cares, Evan. Every one of us.”

“Denki,” Evan said, eyes glimmering.

“And we’re brothers now, remember,” Sol said, smiling.

Ellie’s shoulders relaxed. All will surely be well, she thought, grateful for this generous welcome from her husband. It had made all the difference for their first meal together. But she also knew Sol would understand if Evan decided not to stay in his boyhood room, living in the same house with her and Sol as they began their marriage.

Still, she worried Evan was in more pain, both physically and emotionally, than he was letting on. Like Dawdi said.

That evening, Ellie, Sol, and Evan met in the front room for early Bible reading. Evan requested prayer for the families of his deceased unit buddies, as well as for the nurses who offered care and kindness to him, especially after his amputation.