Chapters 17 and 18 Summary

Annie learns that Andrew is to have surgery soon, so she does not visit the hospital the next morning while Andrew undergoes some medical tests. Later that evening Annie accompanies her father to St. John's so that he may tend to a dying patient. Annie is able to spend a little time with Andrew, discussing Uncle Paul and the missing Purple Heart medal. Andrew questions the June 6 date of Uncle Paul's death, because there had been no front line fighting on that day to his recollection, but promises to ask some of the men at St. John's who had been in Uncle Paul's unit.

Before they part for the evening, Andrew affectionately kisses Annie on the top of her head, and Annie is exhilarated all the way home. Dr. Metcalf tells Annie that Andrew's upcoming surgery is an attempt to repair...