Just Before War
A Novel Excerpt
by David Rabe“Fisher here,” says the voice over the phone.
“Hello,” Whitaker says.
“Yes, please.”
“May I speak to Sharon?”
“May I ask who is calling, please?”
“I’m Joe Whitaker.”
“Sharon’s married now, you know.”
“Yeah, I heard that.”
“I’m her husband, Bob Fisher, Joe. Could I take a message? Sharon’s in the shower.”
“Oh.”
“Is there a message?”
“I’m just an old friend is all and I’m in the army and I’ve got to ship out next week, a week from today, as a matter of fact . . . overseas . . . Vietnam . . . , actually. So I just thought it might be nice if I could say hello. I’d like to meet you, too. I’ve been in town all day.”
