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“I’ht friend for someone like you”

“You fought as hard as I did,” Rio insists “You put as round as Geer or Cat or me”

Jenou nods, accept

ing this, and even sratitude “Let me make it clear for you, Rio Like I said, I don’t expect I’ll h this war I used to I used to thinkhell, we all did, didn’t we? Used to think it couldn’t happen to us? I don’t believe that anymore When I catch it, I don’t want you to be the one who sent me”

“You think I’ll get you killed?” Rio feels hurt by the suggestion, but it’s instantly clear that she hasn’t understood

“No, I don’t think that I mean, sure, it could be you, but it could be anyone or anything But if it is you, it’ll eat you up inside That’s part of it The other part is that I’ve been leaning on you” She straightens her spine and holds her head high “I’m ready now”

“Ready for what?”

“Ready to stop leaning on you, my best friend My brave, fearless best friend The sister I never had Funny thing is, once you accept the fact of death, you stop being afraid” She sighs and tilts her head back to look at the stars and says, “I don’t like any part of this whole goddaht You’ve become a hero, Rio, and to my amazement, I, Jenou Castain, have become a soldier”

Rio parts the next ibes and nonsense from the others

Rio, seated in the back of a truck, waves to Jenou and Cat and, co to stand beside them, Jack

Jack makes a fist, places it over his heart, and bows to her Then he disappears as the truck column obscures Rio’s view

35

FRANGIE MARR—US ARMY HOSPITAL, PORTSMOUTH, UK

“Just hold it still, Frank How many times do I have to tell you to hold it still?”

“Well, it hurts, Miss Frangie!”