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Jenn Reynolds

Maine, March 12, 2010, Friday

I typed on my computer, tucked away in my cubical, invisible to the world aroundfor favors, never once asking hoas or if I had plans for my birthday next week If they had, I would have lied and told the the evening on the kissing bridge, finally finishing the last few chapters of the novel that had replaced any seh those characters It was safer than opening up to real people who inevitably would hurt me or let me down Where I went from there was still up in the air

I planned onthe beautiful blue sparkling water below Those plans began to take on life when I becao I spent two years ofwith a kiss when I first ht me breakfast in bed on occasion As tiy for whatever he ht before while under the influence of his favorite whiskey after a late businesshome

I knew the stress of his job weighed heavily on hins that everything was falling apart around us That was until I found a pair of lace panties shoved under the pillow of our bed and I realized it was impossible to keep a relationship afloat when one of you was hell-bent on destroying it I s of betrayal swept through an to count down fros

Instead of planning , I watched asI wrapped h it to hold it in place before I clicked print I hurried toward the printer on the other side of the office hoping to complete my work so I wouldn’t be stuck in the office until after the sun set

“Woah, Jenn Slon there” Howard gave ht brown hair, in desperate need of a trireasyme to cross my arms over my breasts The way he looked at me made me feel sleazy and cheap noI had on

“I have work to do” I shuffled nervously fro over Howard’s shoulder to the copy machine

“Of course you do Speaking of which, I need the Douglas report by Tuesday I know that’s not much time but—”

I held uphis sentence I didn’t argue about having to work through the weekend It was a sad fact that I never had anything going on in my private life I welcomed the distraction

“Oh, no,” I whispered in a panic as Jake Philips, the office rabbed a stack of papers from the printer I shoved by Howard and made my way to the machine It sat empty

“Just get it toas he spoke before taking a sip and glancing around the office His eyes fell on the new intern that started last week, and he grinned as he made his way to her desk

“Dacoany desk His dark, short hair brushed across the top of his forehead as he flipped through the stack of papers in his hand, his expression unchanging I let er on him for a moment I never understood why he was so lanced in otten worse, and I wondered how much more unkindness I could take frooal was to be a partner in their advertising firm, but that drea dirty look from Jake or unsolicited come-on by Howard

Maybe it didn’t print, I thought, as I made my way back to my desk

I pulled out the Douglas file as ers shook My blue eyes danced over the typed print as I struggled to focus on what I was reading I glanced back at Jake, as busy filing papers, co inanother panic attack begin deep in the pit ofto keep it at bay

As I began typing, visions of hts I wondered ifThey most likely wouldn’t even notice that the maid of honor did not arrive It didn’t matter I wouldn’t be there I had to stand up for myself, even if no one else would

“Jenn, pop this in a o for your lunch” Jake held out an envelope addressed to APO

“Yes, sir” Taking the envelope from his hands, I slipped it insidemy chair back fro to avoid Howard

“Jenn,” Jake called afterme to freeze in my tracks as I rubbed my clammy palms on my skirt “Nonfat milk!”

I nodded my head but didn’t respond as I quickly slipped inside the elevator

“That suits you,” Gretchen whispered form my left

“I’m sorry?”

“Your dress, dear The yellow low Very pretty” Gretchen s as she brushed back her silver curls from her face

“Thank you It was on sale” I ran my hands over my A-line dress It was a far cry from my normal attire of jeans and a T-shirt, but I needed to look professional at work if I ever wanted to move up in my career

Gretchen nodded as the doors opened on the ground floor, and I hurried out to make my way down the street to the local coffee shop I wrapped my arms aroundon the back of my chair

SSgt Shane Tudor

Kuwait, March 5, 2010, Friday

“How can you sleep?” Pvt Ryan Owens kicked the side of the worn-out mattress that I slept on, my arm thrown over my face

“Kick ain and I’ll rinned at Owens before placing it back overhelicopters Owens ran his hands over his dusty blond hair as he laughed

“You’re gonna pull rank, e of the dilapidated mattress and re over his boots