text: Nicholas stood there in complete shock as he faced his brother Andrew for the first time in an entire year. “Andrew? Is that you?” Andrew then turned around and dropped his knapsack at the sight of his brother standing at the railroad station. “Holy shit Nicholas?” The train station platform was crowded with soldiers going to and from the front and among them was Nicholas who just so happened to encounter his brother getting off the same train he was on. The two brothers then hugged each other tightly and Andrew spoke directly. “My God. What are you doing here? I thought you’d be sitting in a trench in the West right now?” Nicholas shook his head “I’m on furlough.. What are you doing here? You’ve got nowhere to go, if I remember correctly you’ve only just turned eighteen”. Andrew then looked around and took up his knapsack “Yeah I’ve got a long story to tell you.. come on let’s get out of here”. Nicholas nodded in agreement and the two men got off the platform and into a local tavern. They found a booth somewhere in the back away from watchful eyes and sat down. “Why didn’t you write that you were coming back?” Andrew asked. Nicholas nodded “I wanted to surprise you for your birthday.. Sorry for being late. Getting away from the front was no easy task.” You didn’t answer my question by the way”. Nicholas then asked in turn. Andrew began to fidget with his hands. An uncomfortable habit that he picked up from childhood. He then spoke, “I was at the train station because Ive volunteered. I’m going to go off to the war Nicholas”. Nicholas then scratched his red beard, an uncomfortable habit he picked up since joining the army. “What?” He finally asked. “You heard me,” Andrew said confidently. “I’ve decided to join the army like you did and serve our country.” Nicholas leaned back against his chair. “Why would you do that? You stupid fucking idiot” he said as his voice turned into anger. Andrew then seemed hurt “What do you mean? You’re the idiot wearing the uniform. What a hypocrite you are”. Nicholas spoke back “Look around you. You’re in a room full of soldiers coming back from the front? Look at their faces, Andrew. These men have seen nonstop shelling, hair-pulling stupidity and the horrors of watching their friends die next to them and not being able to do a thing about it. What kind of idiot would you be to enlist at a time like this!” Andrew then stood up “War is not supposed to be a fairytale.. I thought you’d be happy for me I’m going to go serve my country like my brave older brother did. Why can’t you be happy for me.” Andrew then grabbed his knapsack to leave but Nicholas stopped him “no wait.. just please sit down”. Andrew then obeyed his brother and then did so and Nicholas scratched his head. “Andrew I have to be honest with you.. I’m not on furlough. I went AWOL.” Andrew then became angry “Now who’s the stupid idiot? Why would you do something so stupid?” Nicholas then sighed “It’s not what they say it is in the papers Andrew. There’s nothing honorable about shooting at men you’ve never even met before and get shot in return while drowning in mud. It’s a Hell I want to save you from. I’ve made a mistake and I don’t want you to make the same”. Andrew then rubbed his face in dismay “I wish you didn’t say that.. I really wish you were wrong. But I know you’d never lie to me about something like that. But I still have to leave for the war.” Nicholas then found his anger again “did you not hear a word I just said? I got lucky by escaping from the Army. You won’t be afforded the same option.” Andrew shook his head “it’s not like that.. I’ve lied to you too actually”. Nicholas then raised his eyebrow “What?” Andrew then reached into his knapsack and pulled out his notice “Because I’m not enlisting. I’ve been drafted”.