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“I need you to pay attention, yes?”

“Sure, Da,” she said, confused She kne to shoot, they’d been pri her since she elve

“I need to know you can hold your own Things are picking up around here”

She frowned “What do you mean?”

He walked toward her and placed hand on her shoulder “One day, it may just be you and your ma I want to be sure you two can fend for yourselves”

The finality in his tone frightened her “Is so?”

“No, no Just looking out for my family Life here can be hazardous to one’s health So pay close attention now for irl, yeah?”

She nodded her head, feeling stunned The thought of life without her da was a foreign concept Sobered, she focused in on his words, and directions

“I want you to unload this entire clip without hesitation”

“Then hoill I know if I’m accurate?”

“You don’t always have time to brace yourself and airuff It was the attitude he usually reserved for his men in arms

She stood straighter and nodded

“Good girl Aiain”

She’d built a pile of brass in the field as she shot targets full of holes The whole thing smacked of a desperation she didn’t understand The Army took care of their own What was he so afraid of?

PRESENT