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They were empty words, made worse by the fervor hich he spoke

She couldn't help thinking of thiswould go wrong today "I mean it, Johnny If you die over there I'll hate you forever I swear to God I will"

"You know you'll always love me"

The words, and the easy, victorious way he said theain It wasn't until much later, after they'd had a roled into each other's waiting arht about what she'd said to hiauntlet she'd thron to God

Tully eased off Grant's naked body and flopped onto the bed, still breathing hard "Wow," she said, closing her eyes "That was great"

"Indeed it was"

"I'lad you were in town this weekend This was exactly what I needed"

"You andto his accent, feeling his naked body against hers This was ato, even, because as soon as he left her bed, she knew her unease would co it since her call to Kate Nothing could disrupt her self-confidence ormad at her best friend

Grant sat up in bed

She touched his back, thought about asking hi, but that wasn't the kind of relationship they had They were friends who hter for a few hours and then went their oays

Beside hi He reached for it

"Don't answer it I don't want to talk to anyone"

"I gave the office this number" He picked up the phone and answered "Hello?Grant," he said "And who are you? Oh, I see" He paused, frowning, then laughed "I can do that" He held the phone to his naked chest and turned to Tully "Your best friend forever says--and I quote--that you are to get your lily-white ass out of your bed and coive her any shit on this of all days that she will beat you until you beg for ain "She sounds serious"

"I'll take the call"

Grant handed her the phone and walked naked toward the bathrooht the phone to her ear and said, "Who is this?"

"Very funny"

"I had a best friend forever once, but she was a real bitch to rovel for an hour or so and spoon a bunch of humble pie down my throat, but I don't have time for the ritual today I'm sorry Your phone call came at a bad ti?"

"It's Johnny He's going to Baghdad to The whole station was buzzing over as happening in the Middle East Everyone at the station and around the world was trying to guess when President Bush was going to drop the first bo over there, Katie He'll be fine"

"I'm scared, Tully What if--"

"Don't," Tully said sharply "Don't even think it I'll follow hiet most of the news first I'll watch for you"

"And you'll tell hed Their familiar promise didn't sound as airy and hopeful as usual; suddenly it had a dark, onore "No matter what, Katie But you don't have to worry This on't last long He'll be home before Marah takes her first step"

"I pray you're right"

"I' up the phone, listening to the sound of Grant turning on the shower His hu, which usuallytihdad

Kate received the first e from Johnny two days after he left Until then, she'd walked around the house in a daze, never far from the new fax/phone they'd put on the kitchen counter As she went about the business of her day--changing diapers, reading stories, watching Marah crawl froerous piece of furniture to the next--she thought: Okay, Johnny: let me know you're alive and well He'd told her that phone calls could only be ued that her need was dire, and why didn't that count?), but that faxes were not only possible but relatively easy

And so she'd waited

When the phone rang at four in the , she threw the blanket away and rolled off the sofa, stue to unfurl

Before she'd read a word, she started to cry Just seeing the bold scrawl of his handwritinghim almost unbearable

Dear Katie:

It's crazy here Flat-out insane We don't know exactly what's happening--it's a waiting gaht now The journalists are all in the Al-Rashid Hotel in the ot unprecedented access to both sides The coverage of this ill change everything To the city for the first time Don't worry, I'll be careful

Gotta run Kiss M for me

Love U

J