Her heavy arms were flung wide in a gesture of welcome, and the face was
split in a huge grin of anticipation. She came towards him, and the
grin persisted long after the horror had dawned in her bright little
eyes.
Her steps slowed. David? Her voice was uncertain. It is you, David?
Hello, Ella. Oh God. Oh, sweet holy name of God. What have they done
to you, my beautiful young Mars Listen, you old bag, he said sharply, if
you start blubbering I'm going to throw you down the steps. She made a
huge effort to control it, fighting back the tears that flooded into her
eyes, but her jowls wobbled and her voice was thick and nasal as she
enfolded him in her huge arms and hugged him to her bosom.
I've got a case of cold beers in the refrigerator, and I made a pot of
curry for us. You'll love my curry, it's the thing I do best David ate
with enormous appetite, washing down the fiery food with cold beer, and
listened to Ella talk.
She spouted words like a fountain, using their flow to cover her pity
and embarrassment.
They would not let me visit you, but I telephoned every week and kept in
touch that way. The sister and I got very friendly, she let me know you
were coming today. So I drove up to make sure you had a welcome -She
tried to avoid looking directly at his face, but when she did the
shadows appeared in her eyes, even though she made a convincing effort
at gaiety. When he finished eating at last, she asked, What will you do
now, David? I would have liked to go back and fly. It's the thing I
like to do best, but they have forced me to resign my commission. I
disobeyed orders, Joe and I followed them across the border, and they
don't want me any more.
There was nearly open war, David. It was a crazy thing that you and Joe
did.
David nodded. I was mad. I wasn't thinking straight after Debra Ellen
interrupted quickly. Yes, I know. Share another beer?
David nodded distractedly. How is she, Ella? It was the question he
had wanted to ask all along.
She is just fine, Davey. She has begun the new book, and if anything
it's better than the first. I think she will become a very important
writer Her eyes? Is there any improvement?
Ella shook her head. She has come to terms with that now. It doesn't
seem to bother her any longer, just as you will come to accept what has
happened David was not listening. Ella, in all that time, when I was in
hospital, every day I hoped, I knew it was useless, but I hoped to hear
from her. A card, a word. She didn't know, Davey. Didn't know? David
demanded and leaned across the table to grip Ella's wrist. What do you
mean? After Joe, was killed, Debra's father was very angry.
He believed that you were responsible David nodded, the blank mask of
his face concealing his guilt.
Well, he told Debra that you had left Israel, and gone back to your
home. We were all sworn to silence, and that's what Debra believes now.
David released Ella's wrist, picked up his beer glass and sipped at the
head of froth.
You still haven't answered my question, David. What are you going to do
