Strangers to Temptation

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Scott Gould. Strangers to Temptation

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STRANGERS TO TEMPTATION

And in memory of his bride, Mary Ann.

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“I thought about God when I was in the hospital. Probably thought about him when I was under the water, but I don’t remember that,” Lonnie said with his mouth full. As a matter of fact, Lonnie didn’t recall climbing up on the bridge scaffolding and diving into the black water. He said when he woke up in the hospital, it was like someone had pulled the ultimate practical joke on him—dressed him up in a gown and ripped half his smile off.

My dad studied the bad side of Lonnie’s face. “Trauma will always bring religion into the picture,” he said. “God was a regular in Vietnam.” Any mention of Vietnam meant war stories were close behind. My mother’s eyebrow arched a little. She knew. My father’s Vietnam stories constantly centered on Asian parasites and foot rot, as though the entire conflict had taken place inside of a smelly sock. We were never sure he was sure who the real enemy was. My mother tried to cut off the approaching tales of leper-like toes and microbes in canteens.

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