Second Harvest

Except for some minor bruising to the woman's face, most of Michelle's injuries had healed. At first, Michelle spoke. Several times the translator wanted to intervene, but Michelle was unaccustomed to the same rhythm the speaker used during the proceedings. He became flustered and tried to interrupt Michelle so that he could correctly translate.

"Madame Dubois says she is eternally thankful for your generosity. You are her hero and saved her life. She wishes to tell you she is sorry you must suffer these proceedings, but she is concerned about the Americans because they charge you with murder. She states further that you did the right thing, or else she would not be alive today. She has you to thank for this. She has three children, but she wants to name her next child after you."

Roy weakly smiled. "What if the child isn't a boy?"

After a quick conversation with the translator and Michelle in French, she looked up at Roy and smiled. "Oui."

Roy looked at the translator. "She says yes, no problem."

Roy weakly smiled, and Michelle giggled softly.

Michelle spoke again.

"Madame Dubois wishes you success in your trial, and she and the villagers are praying God will protect you."

"I don't think God can help me in this situation," said Roy.

After translating his words, Michelle looked sad. She then spoke again.

"Madame Dubois says it is not up to you to decide what God will do or not do. You must believe."

Michelle quietly giggled again.

"Tell Madame Dubois, I am glad she is alive, and that I was there to save her from the monster that was hurting her. Tell her I will try to believe. Perhaps she knows God much better than me."

After translating, Michelle jumped to her feet and hugged Roy's neck. "Merci, Monsieur Folsom. Merci, beaucoup." She kissed his cheek and walked out the cell.

"Is she married or have a husband?" Roy asked the translator.

"Yes Monsieur, but her husband died fighting Germans six months ago."

"But who will take care of her and her children?"

The translator smiled. "You are surely a kind man, Monsieur Folsom, and you have a compassionate heart. Madame Dubois married her husband's younger brother just one week before the regrettable incident. The doctors have assured Madame Dubois; she is healthy and will produce many more children. Madame Dubois and her husband are determined to survive this unfortunate event."

Everyone exchanged firm handshakes, then departed, leaving Roy alone.

The following week, the military court was conducted at the same location. The roles were reversed, with the American military taking prominence at the front of the meeting hall, and the French sitting off to one side. It seemed to Roy that there were more people present than during the French proceedings. This time, the American's did most of the talking while the translator explained everything in French to the villagers. The general, Colonel Smith and three other officers were sitting at the judge's table. As everyone settled down, the five officers huddled in a private conference.