Memory Wall

Davis’s son is fighting in the Korean War. In his home in Idaho, Davis reads letters from his son and cares for his father, Pop, a combat veteran himself who now has Alzheimer’s disease.

Three months ago, Davis discovered his wife was having an affair, and she moved out. Now she lives with her boyfriend in his condo. She comes by the house and asks to read their son’s letters, but Davis doesn’t show her any recent ones. Their son doesn’t know his parents have separated.

On Thanksgiving, Davis spies on his wife and her boyfriend through a glass patio door. They seem happy. In December, Davis and Pop cut down a Christmas tree, part of a family tradition.

Letters from Davis’s son talk about being asked why he’s in Korea—“I think a bit and then say to serve my country” (119)—his illness from intestinal parasites, and seeing a crane die after hitting a communication wire just outside the demilitarized zone. He fears he’ll be court-martialed for leaving camp to bury the bird.

When Davis learns his son will be sent home in two days rather than court-martialed, he thinks about past Christmas mornings with his wife and son. He brings the shoebox full of his son’s letters to his wife’s new home and leaves them at the door.