He had watched the ruins of buildings being rebuilt, almost in an unseemly haste, as if to purge the lingering scars of destruction from sight and the...efore, from memory. Mental scars could not be rebuilt or expunged from the mind so easily. Time was to be the only healer and that, not very successful in its efforts.Every year, the ever dwindling numbers of ex-service men, filed along the Mall in a proud march, to lay wreaths of poppies at the Cenotaph and pay their respects. Each with his own. He offered me 300.00 for everything. I was so frustrated. I argued and even cried a little telling him how important it was. Telling him my dad would ground me, that I was fucked if I didn’t get at least 700 for it. In desperation I told him I would do anything to get the money. He smiled again, this time licking his lips…. “Well, that’s a different story.” He said looking at me and Kara like we were pieces of meat. He walked around me; looking me over…he put his hands on my tits and squeezed. He considers her a part of his family. When she was threatened by David Cartwrights friends he had four of his best security men guarding her day and night. Tony works for him, as well. He has never asked to be paid and if I offered he would be highly insulted. He is like a father to mehe has been my father since mine passed away almost twenty years ago. He has invited us to dinner this evening so you will have the chance to meet him and make up your own mind. I liked David. Sure, so did Marta,. ? That lastwas a question. And both me and Billy started speakingat the same time. We were not very convincing, I am afraid.We tried persuading the man that we won?t tell anyone. We tried explaining thatwe?d keep this our secret until the very last days of our miserable lives. Wepleaded and cried. He was still grinning and rubbing the tip of his nose. ?OK, justshut up now, both of you, before I shoot your guts out and force you to walkhome carrying each other?s dinner in your pockets.? He.