Why?
And when do your kids leave? What’d you decide on the girlfriend?
***
I think my boss is bad at his job, and that he gets in my way. I don’t hate him as a person—he’s a kidney donor!—but I do hate him as a boss.
The kids left for Okoboji today. I said I’d relent on the girlfriend if Ryan promised he wouldn’t drink. Ryan said that he never has more than two beers when he has the kids, and that I owe him more trust than this.
I’m just sad, I think. The kids will be gone for ten days. It’s the worst part of summer.
***
I’m sorry, Shy.
What will you do while the kids are gone? Does this mean you get to take a vacation with them, too?
***
I’ll work. Maybe paint the dining room, if I can get my mom to help.
I usually spread my vacation days over the whole year. Ryan has summers off, so he has big chunks of time to play with.
How are you?
***
Tired. We’ve been out here four months, which means everyone is in a groove—but also missing home. It’s like the Wednesday of the deployment; we’re past the halfway point, but the weekend is still pretty far away.
You should take your kids on a vacation.
***
You sure like to tell me what to do, Cary.
***
Do you ever listen, Shiloh?
***
Yes. I went on a date.
***
Youdid? How was that?
***
It was with a woman I work with. It was fine. I think she would have liked to do it again, but I wasn’t interested.
***
Is that a new direction for you?
***
I guess so. I mean, I’ve only really dated Ryan. So anything is new.
