Chapter 10
“The bathroom’s through here,” the Marine said, pointing to a door at the rear of the room. “Will you be okay to shower, or do you think you’ll need help?”
“Help,” David said softly.
“Do you always talk this much?” the Marine smiled kindly.
“Sorry, I—” David didn’t know what to say.
“It’s okay, guy. I like the strong, silent type.”
David didn’t feel strong. He accepted the hand the Marine offered to help him rise from the bed.
“First things first. I make it a rule never to shower with anyone who’s name I don’t know. I’m Bud.” The hand, which he’d never released, shook David’s.
“Um, David, David Grover.”
“Well, Um David David Grover, pleased to meet you. Say, David David, so good they named you twice, eh?”
David gave him a confused look.
“Never mind. My last name’s Williams, by the way. Master-Sergeant Bud Williams at your service. Well,of course, my momma didn’t name me Bud.” A shadow flickered briefly across Bud’s face. “My real name’s Francis, but everyone calls me Bud.”