A study came out recently, a study that crunched data from American veterans of the wars of last century. The rates of violence of these veterans, after their wars, were identical to those other men of their age in all regards but one: suicide. The veterans from all wars committed suicide in double the number of their counterparts. In some way they couldn’t free themselves from what they had experienced.
Carlos was at the bar again last night. The bar is part of the Somerville restaurant Sagra, owned by three police officers that work in the area. Carlos, also a police officer, works with the owners, and that might explain why he was drinking there rather than elsewhere, but not why he’s recently been there so much, nor why he’s started tipping so extravagantly. His recent demotion might explain part of it, but not after you found out he requested the demotion. Carlos requested the demotion so that he could take leave of work and go back to Iraq, for a third time, a visit from which he believes he won’t return. And that’s why he’s been coming to the bar, and that’s why he’s giving his money away.
The employees at Sagra believe that Carlos is going back to Iraq to die.
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