I’ve been going to see my daughter regularly for the past couple of weeks, proving to Mia and myself that I can commit to my daughter. I have backed off from trying to sleep with Mia; after all, I got a letter that punched me in the gut the other day. I may be staying in this hotel, but I failed to have my mail forwarded or get a P.O. Box at the post office, so I must go to my mother’s house to retrieve it. I got orders to ship out at the end of the month for a year or more, and I’m not sure how I should tell Mia. She’s going to blame me and resent me for having to leave, but at the same time, she knew this was what I signed up for when I enlisted.
“I’m hosting the fourth of July party for you and your unit as planned. Tessa will not be attending, but I expect you there.” My mother messa
