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K—

Sorry its been so long since the last letter The teaet five seconds to ood Tired Hell, more than that Exhausted The first US feht and I have to say that it hit us all hard I hope that someday I can tell you how it feels to see all this, but I cant think that way now, not if I want to sleep Anyway, theres talk that the Iraqis are going to ignite oil wells in Kuwait and were off to cover it Kisses to Marah and more to you

Kate stared down at the last fax shed received It was dated February 21, 1991, alo

She sat in her living rooe on television The last six weeks had been the longest, hardest days of her life She aiting, alaiting, for a phone call that said he was co home, for a special report that heralded the end of the war Now they were saying that the final allied assault should begin any day A ground assault That scared her aselse because she knew her Johnny So a story that no one else could tell

The waiting had worn her down to nothing Shed lost fifteen pounds and hadnt had a good nights sleep since their night at the hotel

She folded the latest fax in half and placed it on the small pile of others Every day she told herself she wouldnt unfold them and reread his words; every day she returned to them

Today shed begun several chores and left all of the television Shed been here for more than two hours

Marah stood by the coffee table, clutching its wooden edge in her pink, pudgy hands, swaying like a break-dancer and babbling in baby talk Finally, she plopped down on her diaper-padded butt and ian to craay from the couch

"Stay by Mommy," Kate said auto; the air above them was a thick cloud of black smoke

Across the roo Kate could tell by the sudden quiet She jumped up and went over to the chair by the fireplace

Johnnys chair

Dont think about that, she told herself Hed be back any day to sit there again and read the paper after work

She bent down and picked up her curious daughter, who looked up at her through huge, bright brown eyes and started to babble Kate couldnt help s to cohters obvious joy lifted her spirits "Hey, Munchkin what have you got there?" She carried her back toward the sofa, turning off the TV as she passed it Enough was enough She turned on the radio instead It was tuned to an oldies channel, which always made her shake her head To her ing "Desperado "

Kate let the hter close, she danced in the living rooled and bounced in her arh for the first tihters plump cheek, nuzzled her velvety neck, and tickled her until she screamed happily

They were having so ing When she did hear it, she ran for the radio, turned it down, and answered