At My Purple Heart Ceremony, My Stepmother Swung a Folding Chair Into My Arm—Then My Father Looked Down Instead of Protecting Me

Screws.

A splint instead of a full circumferential cast initially because swelling needed room.

When the anesthesia wore off, my arm felt as though it belonged to someone who had made terrible decisions.

The surgeon seemed pleased.

“Alignment looks good.”

“How long before I can use it?”

“Use is a broad word.”

“Military answer.”