The Hearts of Men

by Nickolas Butler

“I’m sorry,” Jonathan says quietly, staring at the ground. “We failed you, buddy. I failed you.” “And that’s it,” Nelson says. “That’s the lesson.” “What?” “That everyone will fail you. Everyone.” “I’m sorry, Nelson.” “Tell me something, was there ever any doubt that I was the one going down into the latrine? Ever any doubt that I’d be the sacrificial lamb?” Jonathan looks at the ground. Nelson, trembling, continues: “Because you sure as hell weren’t going down, were you? You made the bet, but I was the one who kept it. I kept the bet. I kept your word. And you failed me. Failed me.” He turns and walks down the path, and for the first time that week, he blows his bugle loud—loud, as if he were rallying the cavalry toward one final, epic ride.