Chapter Twenty-Four

 

Moses Says Goodnight

 

“And that’s the way it happened,” recounted the boy’s grandfather. “It was not a day anyone could be proud of, but there was no other way. If his plan had succeeded, I might not be here to tell this story… and you wouldn’t be here to listen.”

“I hope we never have another war,” said Virgil.

“I hope so, too,” said Moses. “Well, I’m tired. I think I’ll go up to bed.”

“Help Grandpa,” said Aurelia.

Virgil steadied the old man as he struggled to get up from his chair. Moses leaned on him and slowly climbed the creaking stairs. He fell on the bed and the boy lifted his legs and covered him with a feather quilt.

“Don’t forget to say your prayers, Virgie,” Moses whispered as he kissed him for the last time.

“I’ll say one for you, Grandpa,” he promised, and went to his own bed. And he said that prayer.

It was a cold, cruel, windy night. The draft from the windows flickered the candlelight and shadows danced and circled around the boy’s room, playing tricks with his imagination. Gusts of damp, frigid air flowed from the fireplace flue, whistling and humming among the shadows in a deep, hollow, eerie voice…‘MooOOOoooOOOooses’...

‘MooooOOOOOooooOOOOses’…

And somehow, Virgil knew….