Life at the Top

No longer confined to bed rest, Jasper got off the bed and respectfully invited the old man to take a seat.

“Please have a seat, Mr. Coine. Moving is still a little difficult for me and this place really isn’t appropriate, so I’ll skip out on asking you if you’d like some coffee this time.”

Jasper smiled. “Next time, then. I promise I’ll invite you to a cup of hot coffee next time, Mr. Coine.”

Peter smiled gently and waved him off. “Don’t worry about it. I’m not used to drinking coffee anyway. Alcohol, on the other hand, is always a good choice. But I’ve grown old and my body can’t take that anymore, so I’ve quit it.”

Jasper nodded. “That’s good, then. Seniors like you, Mr. Coine, are important people to us. It’s good to see you taking care of yourself.”

Peter was surprised by Jasper’s attitude. “I thought that our meeting would be an unhappy one, but I like you a lot, young man. Most importantly, I can tell that everything you’re saying and doing now comes from your heart—it’s genuine respect.”

Jasper spoke sternly, “It is truly what I think, after all. People like you are old heroes, Mr. Coine. Your generation is the reason why we can live such great lives. Your heroic achievements are things anyone of Somer descent should never forget.”

“Very good. Thank you for remembering our hard work,” Peter smiled softly and spoke.

At that, Peter pulled up his sleeve and showed a deep knife scar as well as a few bullet wounds. He explained, “These are from three different battles. See this scar? It was from a bayonet that had pierced right into the bone. These few other bullet wounds were also from the enemy troops. I have more wounds on me, but I’ll spare you the sight.”

Jasper looked at his own tightly wrapped shoulder and smiled. “Looks like I’m just weak, then.”

Peter waved him off and spoke slowly, “People grow old and their thoughts change as well. Look at me and the tough life I’ve lived. Despite the enemies’ bayonets and bullets, I lived to 80 only to send my children off instead of the other way around.”

Jasper remained silent.

“Mr. Laine…”

Mr. Coine. Just

straight to the point. Seeing that I’m asking you, could you at least leave the Coine

While it is a huge offense, it will not result in the death penalty. I can’t be certain of the judge’s ruling because I’m not the judge, nor

for such a grand facade. Your attitude on this is key. A word from you and they’ll be out in a year or two. I may be old, but I still

such a request is in no

themselves. Who knows how many

“I respect you as an old hero, Mr. Coine, but your heroic achievements should not be used to forgive the mistakes of your descendants. Mistakes should be stopped

they’ve done their part to educate and instruct their own students and

and them, and I must seek revenge. Think of it this way. If I had lost too much blood the other day and passed away then,

Coine fell silent

sake. I have nothing against Len Coine, so as long as he pays up

to Jasper. “If

it’s

him out and turned to

the window, Jasper shook his head as he watched Peter slowly walk out of the

‘Is Peter pitiful?

An old man like him should not need

distasteful in their own

just happens to be spoiling

person who believed in treating the cause instead of the symptoms. Jasper did not like leaving

would have at least three to five years waiting for him. By the

…