Soldier

I bid Michaela and Jakub, and their son Christophe fairwell and said goodbye to my sanctuary. We walked from the hills of Czechoslovakia to the borders of Germany and the aftermath of the great war. It was in ashes, and no matter how many discovery channel documentaries you see John, you will never know how bad it really was. The smell, the children..it was horrible. He told me that this is where he had been when he heard me. I asked what he meant and he said just that. I knew what he meant but I asked anyway, something about someone else validating these things helped. We talked while we worked, clearing away rubble and carrying water for people. We went on doing the same, I learned while I helped. It was Gustav that taught me how to control alot of what I can do. For example you want another beer?" He said as he drained the last of his own.

John looked down to his empty glass. "Sure.." he said as he turned to call the waitress. But as he did he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder..he looked back to a full glass. His eyes went wide, and they swung up from the glass to Russell. "Russ..how did you do that." he said barely above a whisper.

Russell smiled as he sipped from his own full glass. "Little things like that are easy John, you will be able to do that in a few days. Go ahead keep drinking." he said smiling. John hesitantly sipped the beer..looking at Russ the whole time. When he drew back a lip coated in familiar foam, and a mouthful of beer, his tension relaxed and he sighed as he spoke. "Ok Russ, Im listening." he said.

"I am going to explain this to you roughly the same way he did to me, and likely it will make about as much sense, but heres to hoping.." He lifted his glass in a quick salute and drank a swallow, after he wiped his mouth he began to speak, slowly almost reverently "..All throughout history there have been tales, you know, legends, myths even the bible, all of these tales include exceptional beings, people who for some reason or another werent like others. Whether they be bigger, stronger, smarter tougher..or in some cases just better. You follow?"

John nodded. "You mean like..Arthur, or Moses..yeah I follow."

Russell smiled and nodded in return. "Good, well there were other legends too about monsters and the whole nine you get the idea. Well we were always taught to think of them just like that, myths and legends. Well what if they werent?"

John smiled and took another drink, leaving his grin on as he spoke. "Russ are you saying that I am superman."

Russell laughed and took another swallow, as the glass left his lips he shook his head. "No John, you arent. But I am saying that you are somewhat, more resilient than other people. Since 44 have you been sick? Or hurt seriously? You dont have to asnwer I know. If something cuts you, it doesnt cut too deep. If you fall you land just right so that nothing is broken. Its sounds like luck, buts its more than that."

John couldnt argue, it had been exactly like he described it for over fifty years, but the knowledge of the truth was far from explaining it. "What is it then? If not luck then what? Me making it happen?"

Russell looked shocked but pleased, and with that eager voice that children get when their parents suddenly understand their favorite cartoon, he sputtered out.