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“Ain’t that right” His Southern drawl intensified when he was relaxed, and like every senior chief I’d had, he ht joke about retireot a few more deployments in these old bones before y’all put me out to pasture”

I laughed because I’d heard that a time or two “I bet”

“You let , you hear?”

“I’ve got it on automatic, sir” I had what my department needed to run smoothly What I needed personally aythe senior chief could provide for me

“Your rizzled chief across the narrow table frorinned as he slapped a card down

We were playing ashifts for anything else Hot sludgy coffee sloshed around in a half-full cup in my hand A couple of weeks into my deployment now, I s at his apartment even more Missed his narrow bed every time the snorer above me tossed and turned, and Arthur himself most of all I tried not to think about him when on duty, but in quieter moments like this it was hard not to Arthur was a better card player than Weiss, hile usually sharp had leftfor a quick trick and easy points

“Nicely done Wasn’t sure you were even paying attention at all” Weiss was jovial enough, no censure in his voice as he considered the cards in his hand

“Sorry”

“Don’t be Happens to all of us My brain keeps wandering too It’s my oldest’s birthday today” His voice took on a faraway tone

“How old?” It ithout saying that I was sorry he wasn’t there, and that was the type of sentiment we tried not to dwell on down here It sucked to s, and we all knew it

“Eleven today My ex will reat about details like that”

“Goodfor him to finish his turn “Did you leave a present?”

“Did I ever” His s “Tickets for e’re back Gonna take her and er one to LA Do all the theirl’s favorite tween co surprise for the kids and hopefully a nice break for my ex She deserves it”