The Quiet American

[Valin]

Matthew Hennessey

6/11/13

 

Claire married late. In those days, if a gal hadnt found a husband by the time she was in her mid-twenties, people thought she was probably destined for spinsterhood. But sometimes things happen for a reason.

 

Claire lived with her parents in Morristown. Harold was from Newark, practically a world away. In the early part of the twentieth century, there were half a million people living in Newark. It was one of the bigger cities going, a bustling metropolis filled with skyscrapers and industry. Morristown was a small town by comparison, not quite sleepy but not too lively either.

 

Claire and Harold found each other nonetheless.

 

Claires parents were glad shed found someone, but her two brothers were merciless. They were typical Irish, loud-mouthed and sharp-tongued. Harold made an easy target for their ribbing. He was Germanquiet, stubborn, taciturn. Claire's brothers gave him a real hard time. He just sat there and took it all in.

 

It was never clear whether Harold was born quiet or if the war had done it to him. Like everyone who goes to war, he'd seen some things.

 

Hed had been on a destroyer minesweeper in the Pacific. Although he was just a regular sailor, hed taken to hanging around the ships radio shack........(Snip)