"The doctors should know, Laura. The hospital should know. Do you doubt
what they said?"
"No. I don't doubt them."
Faw-Faw, why was I so frightened?
"They've seen cases like yours before, those Army doctors. They have an
ugly word for it in the Army, Laura."
"Richard, I'm sorry...."
Anger, red anger. Would he take the thick brown strap to _her_? Oh,
never, Faw-Faw, never!
"Two years of work! Two years--and now that pip-squeak Morgan is
'filling in' for me! It's just not _fair_, don't you see that? And all
because you _think_ you're sick."
"Richard...."
"Never mind, never mind. I've stood by your bedside long enough. Hulda
can take care of you; you don't need me. You'll have what you want.
You'll be home to smother that boy with sticky love. You'll be happy.
_But I must get back to work!_"
Why did I cry, Faw-Faw? What frightened me so?
"Richard, please--"
"What is it?"
"Don't go back!"
"What?"
"Don't go back there. Don't help them make those monsters!"
My mother, up on her feet, following him to the door. She looked so
small! Why, my mother was small!
"Don't be a fool, Laura."
"It's a _sin_ to make them! A mortal sin--"
"Getting awfully religious aren't you? This isn't like you, Laura."
Clutching at him, tugging, pulling.
"Richard, don't go!"
"You're hysterical. Let go of me and get back to bed. That's the only
place you feel important, isn't it?"
"I won't _let_ you go. I won't!"
Tugging, pulling. Oh, Faw-Faw, why did I have to watch?
"Stop it, Laura!"
Shrieking, crying!
"Richard, Richard!"
Oh, Faw-Faw! Did it really happen? The upraised arm, that hard flat
palm? The sharp, cracking noise? The moan of shock and pain? Oh,
Faw-Faw! Did it really happen?
Revenge, Faw-Faw!
* * * * *
What have they done with him? Dismantled him, fused him, melted him,
battered him, crushed him? Has his metal become bullets, gunbarrels,
bombshells? Or were the bars on the window of my room once his strong
cool chest, his sturdy legs, his comforting arms?
Oh, Faw-Faw, my robot. How I wish you were here!