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She leaned toward me and touchedway since your discharge I would hate to see you backslide into using again”

Susan was in her early thirties, th, wavy blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and a creas with short black boots She looked like she had never suffered a sleepless night

“Think I’ll go get so to keep me awake

Susan laughed “Okay We’ll get started soon” She flitted off to fiddle

I crossed the roorown by three morearunt and a Marine—had also served in either Afghanistan or Iraq As I poured a cup of the dark and no-doubt bitter brew, I felt a presence at my side

“Hi My na You just join?”

I looked up to see a man of about thirty, with unruly brown hair and dark eyes

“My name is Erica, and this isn’t my first time It may be my last, but I say that every time”

Nick grinned and shook his head “Wow, don’t hold back on my account”

“I tend not to sugarcoat my views”

“I’ll do my best not to piss you off,” he said “May I say that you are very pretty?”

Oh-kay “Sure” I gave hih cheekbones, you know Everyone used to tell me I should be a model”

“I take it you aren’t?”

“Hardly I don’t think it’s a good idea to build a career on your looks” I sippedas I’d expected “My cheekbones are the happy result of a few Cherokee genes” No one in randood I hoped lo ancestors hadn’t raped a native

“Dare I ask how you feel about the Redskins?”