5: Present

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"I understand if you don't want me here, Ms

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"I understand if you don't want me here, Ms. Kim", Steve said softly to the small Korean woman who was already dabbing away tears.

"Oh, nonsense", she sniffled, taking Steve's hand and patting it. "He loved you. You are part of our family." She seemed far away as she glanced up at Steve, bottom lip trembling. "Percy isn't the first son I've had to let go of early... There's a... terrible law that sends our boys at home to the army... But I never fault anyone for it." She patted Steve's hand again. "It's not your fault, Steve."

But Steve felt like it was his fault. Like he could have prevented it. Minseo reached into the small pocket of her jacket, pulling out a thin chain with a wedding ring dangling from it. "I know he would have wanted to be buried with it... but I thought... even if you leave everything else behind... you could always have this."

Steve felt his breath catch in his throat, though he bent down for her to slip the thin chain over his head. It was something that he would wear more proudly than any medal. "Thank you."

She smiled slightly, patting his cheek. "You're a good boy, Steve."







October 12

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