Excerpt

After breakfast, Jean suggested that they visit the gardens behind the Hungry Inn. There, a small pond was encircled by a walking path with benches. Beds of carefully maintained flowers added a colorful highlight to the otherwise tranquil setting. As they lingered in the mid-morning sunlight, Steve talked about their future and how he hoped his time in Iraq would pass quickly.

Im pretty sure that Ill have some kind of comfy job at battalion. They usually have some good protection rings around their perimeter, so you wont have to worry. The most Ill have to contend with is an occasional mortar or RPG attack, but they arent too frequent and seldom accurate.

Oh, Steve, Ill worry about you, she said.

They sat on one of the wooden benches and tears again began to swell in Jeans eyes.

Gee, honey, how can I leave when you get all sentimental and teary-eyed like this? I need you to be strong for me. I need you there supporting me if Im going to get through all this.

I know. I know. Im sorry. I just worry about you all the time. I dont want to lose you, she sobbed.

Steve slid his arm around her shoulder and held her close. With his free hand, he reached for her chin and gently turned her face toward his. They looked deeply into each others eyes. A sense of trust and confidence swept over Jean. She rubbed her eyes dry on the sleeve of her jacket and kissed Steve a long time while holding him in her embrace.

You know that Im going to miss you, Steve. Be sure to send me your address so I can write to you. Also let me know if you have an e-mail address where I can send you messages.

I will. I know battalion has computers but Im not sure if I can use em. If I can, Ill e-mail you as often as possible.

They sat there a long time, holding hands, and watching small frogs hop across the path, into the pond. They heard the birds chirping as they fluttered among the trees behind them, and enjoyed the scent of fresh flowers which filled the air. Some small birds flitted in and out of a bird bath in the middle of a flower bed. Everything seemed so peaceful and right. Steve felt an inner comfort and sense of security. He knew that Jean would be there waiting for him.

Jean accompanied Steve back to his room as he gathered his toiletries and changed into his desert BDUs (Battle Dress Uniform). Confidant that everything was packed, they strolled down the corridor waving goodbye to the orderlies and nurses who had tended to his needs. Jean walked quietly along side.

The shuttle bus driver had arrived early and was waiting for his passenger. He loaded the bag in the rear of the mini van as Steve drew Jean close and wrapped his arms around her and, holding her tightly, kissed her again and again.

I love you, honey. Youve got to believe I do, and Im going to come back to you real soon. You keep planning the wedding and keep me posted on it.

Oh Steve, I love you so much. I dont know what Im going to do without you. Im so used to seeing you and chatting about everything. Ill miss your funny jokes and especially those baby blue eyes of yours.

I know. Remember what we talked about this morning, sweetheart. You promised to be brave for me. No cryin cause itll just make me sad.

Again, they looked into each others eyes and without saying another word, embraced each other a long time and whispered words of their affection.

Come on, Sergeant. I gotta a schedule to keep, and you gotta plane to catch.

Okay, pal. Im coming.

Steve and Jean reluctantly separated after a final kiss and hug. Steve stepped into the van and turned to look at Jean one more time. She again had tears in her eyes. As the van pulled away from the curb, she waved and blew another kiss to him. He waved back and watched her fade out of sight as the van headed toward the air terminal.

In-processing at the air terminal was quickly completed and Steve mingled with nearly a hundred fifty other soldiers and Marines also dressed in desert BDUs. All were waiting to board a large C-130 cargo transport plane parked outside. Steve stared through the large plate glass windows at the plane and thought about Jean. He began to question his decision to return to war-torn Iraq. He wanted to rush back to her but knew he couldnt.

After a two hour wait, the crew was ready to accept passengers. The crowded terminal soon emptied as the soldiers and Marines fastened themselves into the temporary webbed seating that had been installed along both sides of the aircraft. Sergeant OBrien studied the diverse character and make-up of these fresh recruits. Many seemed excited as it would be their first taste of combat. Others expressed concerns about personal safety. All, he thought, would soon be tested on the field of battle. Some would become real heroes; some would never return. He whispered a silent prayer in hopes that he would not be one of the latter.

As the plane taxied toward the runway, Steve again thought of Jean and his stay at Ramstein, both the painful days learning to walk again and the joys of falling in love. He sat back and smiled at the funny stories that Jean so often told and reflected on the tender moments when he held her soft body so close to his. He was now ready to get on with this war, confident that he had a personal reason to fight and survive.

The plane roared down the runway and with a sudden thump the vibrations stopped. They were airborne and turning southeastward. A few short hours later, they would all be thrust into the heart of battle. They would enter a land that time had appeared to have forgotten, a land where culture and values were turned one hundred eighty degrees from all that Steve had known.