I Was the Monster, They Were the Lie

muddy enclosure with a l

ly broken. The pain

blu

a bucket of water and a piece of

there for a we

ny black truck I didn't re

Tall, lean, with a h

. Arthur Thorn

Creek in years. He and Dad

edal of Honor, Korea. He didn't

traight to

in the scene. Me, lying in the

ce tig

voice was like a

house, a look of s

at are you

ne to this boy?" Grandpa Arthur

peak. "He's unwe

gestured at me. "He's h

o me. His eyes s

getting you

cutters from his truck and

, his hands surp

" he looked at my father, his eyes like ice, "I'm not setting fo

ded, his fac

ean bed in the guest room. Grandpa Arthur had cleaned and splinted my leg

felt a sliv

rning, I wo

d Grandpa

gu

ve. "Just once, Father. For clarity

g sil

reluctant, "Alright,

od ran

t of bed, my leg sc

to see Dad and Grandpa Arthur w

ot hi

t felt like

cam

face... it was li

d. Full o

ad a step behind him. Tom and

me, standing in the

mething to be

eam ripped f

on the windowpane. "What did you show him

randpa. Grandpa

me, a grim smi

. You want to s