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“I knoeetpea, but I have to go”

“I know You awe going to be a Ma-ween”

I absolutely love how she says her Rs like Ws It makes Brad irate, so usually I correct her pronunciation so she doesn’t get in trouble, but not this

“Yes, I am But I will come check on you if I can, and if you write me letters I rite you back And sos are still bad here you can come stay with me”

“Pwomise?” she asks, and I nod my head “Maybe by then you will have kids, and I can watch them like you watch out for me”

I nod ain so Faye be part of it would be perfect I don’t have any siblings, so it would be like having a little sister I hear the ruine in the driveway and know it's tio

“Yes, Sweetpea That’s the plan I promise Walk me outside?”

She nods, herher little hand in mine We tiptoe down the hallway to the front door and outside into the alreadyair My recruiter knows all about the fucked-up situation in this house, so he's not surprised that a little kid is the only family I have to see me off today

Dropping to my knees, I wrap her in my arms and kiss her wet cheek

“Stay out of their way, Faye,” I tell her “Do good in school, and I will come see you as soon as I can”

My eyes are stinging and ht I haven’t felt this bad since I watched them lower mom’s casket

into the ground

“Okay, Twavis I will miss you so much You awe my best fwend” Her tears flow freely now, and the tip of her little nose is bright pink, but she doesn't make a sound

“I will be back for you someday, SweetpeaI don't knohen, but I promise I will”

I know I shouldn’tto be sent to Afghanistan or so, and I know that is so I may not ever return from

I shouldn’t make promises I may not be able to keep

Her arms wrap around my neck and she sobs In the year I have been here, I have never heard her make a sound when she cries That, I know, is not normal kid behavior

“I love you, Twavis,” she whi my skin as I rock her inmy neck when my uncle walks out the door and surveys the scene

“Get back to bed, Faye,” he snarls, grabbing her ar me up,” he snaps as he turns and slams the door behind them

I hear the loud crack of a slap and Faye’s brief wail I stu downto the pickup and get in before resting lass of the