by Gary Paulsen
“How’s Trisha?”
“She’s going to be fine. She has a couple of cracked ribs but the swelling has gone down.” Jake moved to the door. “In fact, she’s been waiting to see you, along with several other concerned members of G Company.”
Cody pulled the towel off and raised his head to watch Jake open the door. Nick, Trisha, Matt, Slick, Davey, Patch and the Smiths trooped in. A furry blur raced past them and eagerly put his paws up on the bed.
“Hello, Mike.” Cody reached out to stroke his head.
“I’ve been taking good care of him, Cody.” Davey exclaimed.
“I know you have. Thanks.”
Trisha moved to the end of the bed. “I don’t know how to say this, Cody … but if you hadn’t come when you did … well …”
Cody felt uncomfortable. “It wasn’t just me. Jake and the others had a big part in it.”
“That’s right,” Nick chimed in. “Don’t go giving him all the credit or he’ll get a big head. Here.” He laid some wilted yellow flowers on Cody’s chest. “We brought you these. Course, they looked better a few days ago.”
“Here, here. What’s all this racket about?” A large nurse marched in, clapping her hands. “The doctor has not okayed any visitors for this young man. Everybody has to leave immediately.”
“Atten-tion!”
Jake and Toni both jumped to their feet and executed rigid salutes.
“Colonel Wyman would like to have a word with Mr. Pierce.” An aide cleared the aisle so that the intimidating commanding officer could get through.
Matt grabbed Patch and Davey and pulled them out of the way.
The tall silver-haired man walked up to the side of Cody’s bed, took his hat off and shoved it under his arm. “I heard you were awake, so I came right over. I don’t believe in beating around the bush, son, so I’ll get right to it. The last time you and I talked I treated you poorly. I assumed that because of your age you couldn’t be of any assistance to the United States Army. I was wrong. Dead wrong.
“Reports have reached me that you have participated in an unprecedented number of victorious raids against the enemy. And that you have on numerous occasions risked your life in the service of your country.”
He turned to the aide and took a small blue cloth-covered box from his hands. “I hope you will not be offended that this medal isn’t a new one. Until we have regained our country I’m afraid it will have to do.” The colonel reached down and pinned the shiny silver emblem on the front of Cody’s hospital gown, then stepped back.
“Ladies and gentlemen, will you join me in saluting the recipient of our nation’s medal of heroism and bravery?”
Everyone in the room, including the patients who were able, proudly raised their hands to their foreheads. Then the colonel led them in a round of applause.
“Speech,” Slick yelled. “Speech.”
Cody touched the medal reverently. “I … don’t know what to say.…”
“I hope you’ll say yes, son. Your country needs you. When you’re feeling better, I have a special assignment for you under the joint command of Majors McLaughlin and Christmas.”
Cody glanced around the room at the sea of smiling friendly faces. Suddenly the thought of Rachel popped into his head again. He nodded slowly. “Until we win. Then I’ve got some other business that needs doing.…”
About the Author
GARY PAULSEN is the distinguished author of many critically acclaimed books for young people, including three Newbery Honor books: The Winter Room, Hatchet and Dogsong. His novel The Haymeadow received the Western Writers of America Golden Spur Award. Among his newest Delacorte Press books are Guts: The True Stories Behind Hatchet and the Brian Books, The Beet Fields: Memories of a Sixteenth Summer, Alida’s Song (a companion to The Cookcamp), Brian’s Return and Brian’s Winter (companions to Hatchet), Soldier’s Heart, The Transall Saga, My Life in Dog Years, Sarny: A Life Remembered (a companion to Nightjohnz), The Schernoff Discoveries, Father Water, Mother Woods: Essays on Fishing and Hunting in the North Woods and five books about Francis Tucket’s adventures in the Old West. Gary Paulsen has also published fiction and nonfiction for adults, as well as picture books created with his wife, the painter Ruth Wright Paulsen. The Paulsens live in New Mexico and on the Pacific Ocean.
