ed the rifle with disi

laughably s

led bills. It was enough for gas

me when David still pretended to ca

rapped in every blanket we owned. Caro

my own racing thoughts. Every mile brought us closer to the m

king him restless. Carol co

the image of David's pol

loomed ahead, a symbol of the l

he guard booth,

rprisingly steady. "I'm here to see

, a figure emerged from the administr

vi

, when they landed on our rusted-out truck, on me in my worn clothes,

embarr

face a mask of con

are you doing here?" he his

other. His eyes flickered

ver, managed a weak

he snapped. "You call me 'Captain Mille

ower lip trembling.

lonel's eagles on his collar stepped out – Colonel Peterson, I

o attention, hi

lapidated truck, his gaze lingering on Leo's

onel said, his voice neut

pped. A flicker of pa

my old hometown church. Their house burned down.

The lie was so b

ed like pity. "Well, Captain, see that they'

ir," David said, relief

David turned on me, his

tion review is next month! What were you thinking,

! How dare you? These are your wife and son

ined, his voice rising. "I'm doing all this for

oice dangerously quiet

mpatiently for me to follo

trast to our trailer. He pulled up to one that was surpr

la

ked on

nd there she

r perfectly coiffed, a light scent of perfume

r eyes flicking over me, Leo, a

, her voice sweet as honey