Vietnam Journal By Helen Oct 5, 1970 Field Hospital Saigon Today they brought in a young Marine. My guess is he's still in his teens. He's on a stretcher but in a half unzipped black bag, the kind used for corpses. When I ask about this I'm told he was pronounced dead at the site of a massive ambush. The only survivor, in fact. It's my job to clean him, dress his wounds and get him into a cot. When I unzip the bag I find he's naked. "Yeah." the corpsman who brought him in says. "We found him stripped of everything, uniform, weapon, boots.All they left him with was his tags." "Okay, let's see who you are." I say wiping the bloody tags with my thumb. "Skinner, Walter S. Damned VC bastards didn't even leave you your dignity. Did they?" Oh well, no time to dwell on that. I take his vitals and manuver his long legs out of the bag. There's clotted blood everywhere but I can still make out the lines of his strong young body. He's well muscled which may account for how he survived. As I clean him, careful around his many wounds, I take in the details, he has high cheek bones and a strong jaw, thick neck, puffed up pectorals and a small waist and hips. Powerful thighs surround a...oh my, even flaccid he has a beautiful penis and scrotum. I know what I'm talking about. I've cleaned enough broken soldiers from head to foot to know well formed genitals when I see them. It takes a while but once I clean him, dress his wounds and get him into a hospital gown, I get him moved to a clean cot. I stroke his buzz cut. "Rest easy, Skinner Walter S., I'll be back later." I check on everyone in the ward,doing whatever I can, although most of them are boys. They've fought valiantly and deserve the best I can give them. I'm only twentyone and a fledging nurse but, I enlisted to be of service to the them and found I can work days that can be eighteen hours long when the ambulances and helocopters come in full. So I write in this journal whenever I have a moment to myself just to have a record of it later or, if I don't make it, someone will find it a know what it was like for me. I lock my journal, tuck it under my mattress and go to sleep. Oct 15 1970 Field Hospital, Saigon Skinner's been in a coma for the ten days that he's been here but I talk to him anyway. The guy in the next cot thinks I'm nuts but it's still possible for him to come out of it even though the chances diminish after three days. I can't give up on him as long as he's breathing. I sit in a hard chair next to his cot. Sometimes I read to him. Sometimes I just talk. Today I was lightly massaging his head. I like its shape and the way it feels with its short growth of hair. Then I let my fingers stroke his face. I've avoided this because it just seems so personal so....intimate. But today I figured I deserved a treat. "I'll bet you don't even shave daily." I whispered, still stroking his jaw. "You'd lose." his voice rumbled from somewhere deep inside him. Even his whisper had a rich depth to it. I pulled my hand back quickly. "I'm sorry. That's none of my business." I said. "But I *am* glad you're back with us. You had quite a nap." "Do I qualify as Rumplestilskin?" he asked. I shook my head. "Can I at least hope the war's over?" Again I responded in the negative. "Who are you?" "Nurse Fielding." "Do you have a first name?" "Yes, it's Danielle." "Can you tell me why you deserve a treat today?" "You heard that,I wasn't aware I'd said it aloud." "So?" "Today's my birthday. Thank you for waking up. It's the nicest gift I could've received." The doctor came over then and berated me for not calling him the moment Lance Corporal Skinner woke. I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me, I was so embarrassed. "Doctor." Skinner spoke up. "I was disoriented. The nurse was just helping me get familiar with my surroundings." Dr. Mason turned to me. "Check the rest of the ward. I'll take over here." "Yes Sir." I said and turn crisply on my heel. He pulls the curtain around Skinner's cot so I don't know what he's doing but I imagine he's going to give him a thorough physical now that he's awake and can co- operate. John, the soldier in the next bed teases me but his words are a gently veiled warning. "Don't get too close to any of us. We'll just leave and break your heart." "I know, that's what we were taught before we were sent here but, I'm only human." I laugh trying not to make too much of the fact that I'm half way in love with the lance corporal already. It's the end of the day now and I should get my rest. I may be back on shift in a few hours. You never can tell. I think about my corporal...I know I shouldn't refer to him that way even in my imagination but, there's something about him that sets him apart from all the others I treated, cared for and saw on their way. A little voice inside reminds me this isn't a romance novel and I'm hardly the swooning heroine. One of the reasons I got this assignment is because I'm well...sturdy. I'm almost six feet tall. I can and have lifted unconcious men as well as practically carried men who could barely walk and if that weren't enough, I'm plain. Someone who is easy to talk to while performing what would be an embarrassing act of personal examination were it being done by a pretty woman. I'm a 'safe' reminder of home. Oh well, no use wasting time pitying myself when I could be sleeping. Oct 18 1970 Field Hospital, Saigon I took a peak at Skinner's chart today. Dr. Mason's examination revealed more severe injuries than first suspected. I have mixed feelings about this news. I want more than anything for him to be alright but, his recovery will keep him here for quite a while. I know how selfish it sounds but at least I'll be able to see him, maybe get to know him and if he's here, he's not in the jungle getting shot at.The doctor had him sit up for a little while today. We talked while he was upright and he asked me to call him Walter and asked if he could call me Danielle. My heart did a flip-flop even though it was probably just easier for him. Nov 3 1970 Field Hospital, Saigon Walter's been having nightmares. Awful ones. Sometimes he screams and/or weeps. At others, he gasps for air. It breaks my heart to hear him but, today he almost choked me when I tried to wake him. Once he was aware of what he was doing, he apoligized profusely and told me a little of one of his worst dreams. It was about an old woman who sits on his chest. He can't breathe. She trying to tell him something but he can't make it out. That's when he's gasping. "I thought you were her." he said sheepishly. "It's alright." I said lightly. I could've ducked out of the way." But I was thinking how much I'd love to sit on his chest...or any other part of his body for that matter. Then I had to berate myself for my weakness and remind myself I'm here to patch them up,plump their pillows and tell them it will be alright, nothing more. I serve a temporary function at best. Once they leave here I'll be nothing more than a vague memory. I have to remember that or I'm going to get hurt for sure. I know I know. My logical mind keeps pumping that litany but my heart refuses to accept it. He held onto my arm when he said he was sorry. Those calloused hands sent a thrill through me I never imagined I could feel. I know I'm getting worse. even the little voice inside knows I'm totally besotted and has given up trying to reason with me except to tell me to be prepared for a giant thud when I come back to earth. I'm lying in my cot now rubbing my arm. It still tingles from his touch. Nov 18 1970 Field Hospital As the days became weeks, his swelling went down, the superficial wounds and bruises healed and physical therapy, such as it was, began. Walter was becoming less than the ideal patient. It was understanable though. He was anxious to be out of here, to be shipped back home, to get on with his life. I knew I had to do something to kepp his spirits up. One day when I had a few hours till my shift, I came to visit him. I brought along a deck of cards. " So what do you want to play?" I asked, thinking that if I were a gorgeous woman he'd have a very different answer. "I can't remember details of the card games I knew." he said sadly. "Well then, we'll have to go back to the beginning." I said. We ended up playing Go Fish. As time went on though his skills returned along with comprehension. When I thought he was ready for it,I brought two decks of cards and we played concentration. The game was played with all 102 cards laid face down and to match pairs of the same suit. Like two 3's of clubs, etc. If you did, you could take them off the board.( his tray table). The person with the most pairs once the board was cleared won. He seemed to like this game and excelled at it. During play, we'd ask each other questions and found out a lot about each other. He asked where I was from. "Chapel Hill North Carolina. How about you?" I asked. "West Texas." "You grew up on a ranch?" "Yes.Why?" "Oh, I thought as much when they first brought you in. You looked like you'd worked hard all your life." "I guess I have." "It served you well for your survival." And so it went on. He'd ask about my life, I'd ask about his. "I don't even know what I'll have of a life when I get out of here, IF I get out of here." he amended. "Oh no Walter, don't say that." I said placing my hand on his arm. "You mustn't think that way." It was all I could do not to cry. We were having such a good time talking and playing the game. Then he sounded so sad. "How do you do it?" he asked softly. "Do what?" I asked genuinely baffled. "Give of yourself day after day. Maintain your patience and your sense of humor." "I may give but, I always keep something of myself for me. As for the patience, well that's learned like anything else. My humor is so much a part of who I am I can't imagine being without it." "Doesn't it ever grate on your nerves to deal with the sick and wounded?" "It only bothers me when we can't save them." I said truthfully. "Now I know you put in impossible shifts. I've seen you here almost around the clock." "You were supposed to be resting, not keeping track of how many bedpans I emptied." I said smiling, hoping to get off the subject. I don't feel like a hero and I don't think what I do is any more than thousands of other nurses have done in this and other wars. We do what we have to do, what we were trained for and move on. "Could we drop the subject and get back to the game?" I asked. "Okay." he conceded. Later that night I found myself crying when I was trying to go to sleep. I got up and walked outside so as not to wake the other nurses. This wasn't like me at all but, I just couldn't stop. Maybe Walter touched a nerve, a part of me I keep buried so deep no one would ever guess its existence. The part of me that wants the comfort I give out all day. The part that wants to be held and loved. I was a twenty two year old woman among thousands of men and I was still a virgin. I've been alone most of my life and I thought I'd insulated myself. But the feelings came to the surface today because Walter..cares. I was looking up at the moon trying to reconcile everything when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I nearly jumped out of my skin. "I'm sorry. I couldn't sleep either and it's too hot inside." Walter said as a way of explaining his presence. He looked closely at me. "You've been crying." "Yes I have." "Why?" I shrugged, unsure of how to explain the reason for my tears. "Sometimes it *does* catch up with me." I said hoping that would satisfy his curiosity. He leaned against the barricks and looked at the moon. "I remember seeing the full moon on a clear night like tonight in Texas thinking it looked close enough to touch." "It must have been beautiful." I said. "There's nothing prettier than a Texas sky." he said smiling. "I should try to get some sleep. It's going to be a full day tomorrow. You should too." I said putting on my best 'nurse' manner. "Danielle?" he said softly. It felt like a caress when he said my name like that. "Yes?" "Is there anything I can do?" Hell yeah Honey, you can take me in those strong arms and love me till I can't walk. I thought. "No, just try to get some sleep." is what I actually said. "I will. Goodnight." he said and turned away. "Goodnight Walter." I said and the tears started flowing again. Dec 17 1970 Field Hospital, Saigon I never did stop crying that night nor did I get much sleep. It had been so long since I'd wept I guess once I started, the waterworks had to continue till they ran their course. The next morning I was red eyed, tired and had one ripper of a headache. Anyone would have thought I had a hangover except I didn't have the fun of getting drunk. That afternoon at mail call, I was surprised to receive a package. It was from home. It was in pretty bad condition but whatever it was I was thrilled to have it. I went on duty shortly after that and took my treasure with me. I checked on everyone else first, then came over to Walter's bed. "Hi." I said cheerfully. "Hi back at ya." he smiled. "Look what I've got." I said taking my gift from behind my back. It was a radio that my brother sent me for my birthday. "I think it travelled all over the South China Sea but it finally got here. One of the other girls has one too and she told me about a DJ at the Armed Forces Radio Network who realizes most of us are young and plays music accordingly. His name is Pat something or other. Let me turn this on and see if we can catch him. We did. Just in time to hear Sly and The Family Stone singing "Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin". I watched him move in time to the music. I'll bet he's a great dancer. I thought. I stayed with him for a few more songs then I had to get back to work. I suggested he keep it while I was on my shift. "No Danielle, it *your* gift. Besides I'll run the batteries down." "My brother thought to send me extras...lots of them. I'd like you to be able to listen during the day if you want to and I can pick it up after work so I can listen at night." "Alright. Thank you." he said. Dec 25 1970 Field Hospital, Saigon We celebrated some semblence of Christmas today with a traditional meal the CO had brought in and a church service for those who wanted to attend.I heard some of the troops got to go to a USO show. It's times like these that I really miss home. Not that I have much family, just my brother Rich but, the normalcy of celebrating the holidays. Of listening to music and dancing around like a fool. I can't imagine I'll ever think of fireworks or the clatter of New Year's Eve without relating them to the sound of dropping bombs.I think I may just be getting tired of the smell of death around me all the time. Perhaps I've hit the bottom of that seemingly endless well of patience Walter seems to think I have. I know part of my ennui is because he's up and around which means he'll be leaving soon. I feel that big thud coming. To keep from thinking about it, I tend to those soldiers who have been brought in since and need my attention more than he does. I still see him at the end of the day to get my radio but, I don't stay. I'm pooped but not because I work a long day but, because it's such an effort not to think about him. Dec 29 1970 Field Hospital, Saigon I saw Dr. Morgan signing a form on Walter's chart. I couldn't imagine why. So when he left, I took a look. Walter was out as he often was in the daytime now. The signature was on his release form. Walter would be shipped out tomorrow. I went through the rest of my shift like an automaton, trying to figure how to handle it. Later, when I was in bed, I came up with one scenario after another. I wanted to settle for the one where I could shake his hand and wish him well but, I had no idea how to pull it off. Dec 30 1970 Field hospital, Saigon I decided on the cowardly thing. I checked into sick bay so I wouldn't have to be on shift when he left. I saw him board his transport. Just briefly and from behind but, he looked so damned good in his uniform. As soon as the chopper lifted into the air, I really *was* sick. I vomited everything in my stomach and ran a fever. The doctor told me it was exhaustion and I started laughing uncontrollably. He should only know..... This Portion Told by Walter April 16 2000 The Vietnam Veteran's War Memorial, Washington DC I don't come here often anymore. But, the invitation I got with the morning mail prompted a visit. The 25th anninversary of the fall of Saigon will be in two weeks. My head is filled with memories everytime I'm here but two always stand out, how close I came to being a name on this granite edifice and the woman who gave me back my life. Oh I'm grateful to the corpsmen who found me and got me to the hospital and the doctors who treated me but it was one nurse who wouldn't give up on me even when I gave up on myself. I wonder about what happened to her. I sit on a bench facing the wall and let my mind drift back. She was talking to me when I first became aware of being awake. She was stroking my face and pulled her hand away as soon as I spoke. If I had known that would happen, I would've kept quiet. She had a killer schedule but always made time for me. We talked while we played cards. One day she even brought a radio for me to use during the day. So when my release orders came through she was the first one I wanted to tell, to celebrate with but she was nowhere to be found. I asked the replacement nurse, a very sour woman who informed me Danielle had reported in sick that morning. I wanted to go visit her in sick bay, if only to reverse the roles for once. To see if I could give back a fraction of what she had given me. But my transport was already landing and he didn't plan to stick around long enough for me to say my farewells, so I boarded the chopper and lived with the regret ever since. It's slipped to the back of my memory but it surfaces at times like this. "Hey, Jarhead!" I'm jolted out of my reverie by my friend and Marine lifer Keith Davidson. "That's former Jarhead to you, Jarhead." I said standing to shake hands. "Come here often?" he asked. "I was just thinking that I don't as often as I used to." "Yeah, It's good to remember but important to move on." "I come to keep things in perspective." "Did you get the invitation?" he asked. "Yeah, I'm kinda surprised too. I was long gone from Nam when Saigon fell." "But you were there for quite a while weren't you?" "Three months before I was wounded, then I was in the hospital for another three." "Long enough." he said. " So, can I expect to see you there?" "Ahh what the hell, why not?" "Can you still fit into your uniform?" "Are you kidding? I was eighteen the last time I wore it. I'm two and a half times that plus." "Well you're not two and a half times the size so get it tailored. I'll expect you there." he said and with a clap on the back he was gone. ***** Apr 30 2000 The Pentagon 1900 Hours Walter arrived right on time and in full dress uniform, cover under his arm, complete with polished sword on his hip. The banquet hall was converted for tonight from a meeting room. It was huge. There had to be five hundred people here. Guests were milling around, drinks in hand. He worked his way through the crowd till he found Keith. "So, you made it." Keith chided."And on time too." Walter stood back for his friend's inspection. "So, What do you think?" "My compliments to your tailor." Keith laughed and led him to the bar for drinks. At the opposite end, a woman stood catching up with friends from her old unit. These were the women who along with herself had volunteered to stay after Jan 15 1973 when President Nixon announced the suspension of offensive action and the Paris Peace Accord was signed on Jan 27 of that year, citing the many military personal still recovering in their field hospital. They only left by forced evacuation during the fall of Saigon on April 29 1975. The two men passed the group just as Keith was getting to the punchline of a funny story he was telling Walter. He burst out laughing. The woman felt a tingling up her spine as she recognized the deep rumbling laughter that could belong to only one man. She had hoped time would dim the memory of the handsome lance corporal. She dared a glance in his direction. Maybe she was wrong. No. She wasn't, it was him and he looked spectacular. She excused herself from the group and went to the ladies room. Once in the privacy of the stall, she tried to gather her thoughts and figure out what to do. But first, memories flooded her brain. Her thoughts from the last time she saw him became a vivid scenario behind her closed lids. He was boarding the chopper, she was convinced this was for the best. Even if they *had* become involved (fat chance), she didn't want to endure the snickers because they were such an obvious mismatch. Walter, with his dark hair and eyes, the deep bronze he'd acquired during his months in the jungle which made the whites of his eyes and his teeth stand out in contrast only enhanced his good looks. She, on the other hand, had mousy brown hair that had picked up some copper highlights from the sun, her eyes were an unusual honey color and her ivory skin, which didn't tan easily had deepened in tone with the long stay in Saigon. She'd worn her hair very short for practicality and even at that the humidity played havoc with it. She had never really gotten into wearing makeup and it would be absurd to try it in this atmosphere. She finished up and flushed. She came to the sink and washed her hands then, catching her reflection she had to admit she had made quite a few changes since then. Her hair was a little longer, just past her chin. She had liked to highlights so now she had the salon add them regularly. A friend in med school had helped her learn about make-up and how to put it on but, she had turned her face over to the salon's makeup artist for tonight and she had done a wonderful job. Yes, she *did* look better than she used to but was it enough to give her the confidence to go back out there and talk to him. Would she be able to hide the fact her illness that day had been a sham cause she didn't know how to say good bye to him? She stared at her reflection, unable to make a decision. Well one thing was certain, she couldn't spend the rest of the night in the latrine. She dried her hands and headed for the door. She had successfully reached the coat check to get her wrap when she heard his voice behind her. "Excuse me but, are you a nurse in...." he didn't get to finish before she cut him off. "No I'm not. You must have mistaken me for someone else. Now if you'll excuse me please." she said swinging her velvet cape around her bare shoulders. She walked away purposefully. She spoke to the doorman and a few minutes later her car and driver pulled up to the door. His gaze followed her and remained until she got into her limousine. No he conceded, she was obviously someone higher ranking than a nurse. Danielle pulled the cape close around her. During her many years working at the Pentagon she had lost the bit of southern accent she still had when she was in Vietnam. She was glad she didn't have to cover it up to talk to him. Her lie was bad enough. 'It wasn't really a lie.' her inner voice reminded her. You aren't a nurse.' "No, not anymore but, I didn't even give him the chance to finish his question and I certainly didn't volunteer any information." 'So, you got away clean that's what you wanted wasn't it?' the voice taunted. "Yes I suppose it is." 'Are we still going to the wall tomorrow?' it asked. "Yes, after talking with members of the old unit, it's important to go pay my respects to those who didn't make it out." May 1 2000 Vietnam War Memorial Walter came back today to see if Danielle's name was on the wall. He hoped not but he looked for the section where the names of the nurses from her unit were carved. As he approached he saw a woman in uniform holding a bouquet. Danielle stopped at the florist's and picked up a nosegay of pink tea roses to bring for her friend Jill. She'd often talked about how she couldn't wait to get back home to her garden, saying she never felt closer to heaven than when she was digging in the earth. Danielle laid the flowers at the base of the section with Jill's name. "I hope God gave you a nice plot to work." she said as she pressed her hand against her name. Walter stood back waiting for the woman to finish her visit and lay her flowers down so he could study the section. Amazingly, when she turned around it was not only the woman from last night but, her name plate read Fielding, D.F. M.D. "So, it *was* you last night." he said, his voice a combination of anger and relief. "I came to see if your name was here." When she said nothing he continued. "You knew it was me too, didn't you?" "Yes." she said barely above a whisper. "Why Danielle, why did you want to evade me like that?" Now he sounded more hurt than angry. "I wish I had a good explanation. I felt bad cause I never said goodbye to you before you left so I guess I didn't feel there was closure between us. Then yesterday was already such an emotional experience. I just wasn't ready to take on any more." "I'd always wished it could be something different between us. I was attracted to you from the start, you were so compassionate and friendly but, you never crossed that line. You know how things were then. I couldn't make you promises I might not live to keep and, unlike other guys who had girlfriends safely tucked away at home, you were in just as much danger as I was so it was in part, self- preservation to not get involved with you." "What line?" she asked. "The line of professional propriety. Crossing it would have changed our relationship." He gave her moment to absorb that. "But that shouldn't matter now unless you're with someone." he let the unasked question hang in the air. It was her chance to stop this from going farther...if that's what she wanted. "Walter." she said carefully choosing her words. "It's too late. Whatever we had belongs to the past." "Maybe but, what we *can* have is here and now, if we want it. There's no restrictions and no danger, at least not more than to anyone else." "I don't know." she said hesitantly. "Danielle, it's been thirty years. How much longer do you want to wait?" he said, taking her hand. That did her in and he knew it. "You felt more for me back then than you ever let on, didn't you?" he asked. "Why do you say that?" "Because you're trembling." Suddenly she felt as if all her strength had left her. He pulled her to him in the embrace she'd dreamed of all those years ago and was certain it would always remain just that...a dream. She let herself relax against his chest, with her head on his shoulder. "We can take this as slowly as you want, just as long as we *do* take it." he whispered in her ear. ***** They started with friendship.Meeting for lunches or sporting events, nothing romantic.As it became Summer, they started running together. They met in the park early in the morning but as the season progressed it got too hot even that early so they decided to meet late in the evenings at the pool in the FBI building. Things changed one Friday night after they had swam for two hours, racing for the last half. They were alone and each went to their respective locker room to shower. Walter finished first. He wrapped a towel around his hips and went over to hers. He stepped inside and followed the sound of running water. He turned a corner to find her rinsing off behind the frosted glass door. He leaned on the wall next to it. "You know, It's unfair that you saw me naked the very first day and I still haven't seen you in the buff." She smiled and opened the door. "Then I guess it's about time you did." she said, making room for him to join her. He let his towel fall to the floor and went in. His arms went around her and his lips clamped down on hers. He had wanted this for a long time. He had no idea how long she had waited for it though.He kissed his way to her breasts, taking each one in his mouth to suckle, then kissed his way back to her lips. Their hands caressed everywhere they could reach. He slid down till he was kneeling before her. He placed his hands on her hips and kissed her abdomen then went south till he was past the triangle of brown curls. He kissed her nether lips, she quivered and moaned. He was encouraged and parted her with his tongue, lapping up inside her. This was beyond anything she'd imagined and felt her climax building. He backed off and was gratified by her groan of disappointment. He brought his hands around front to hold her outer lips open so he could pleasure her swollen bud. He used his tongue in a variety of ways to tease and delight, bringing her up over the edge. She moaned and sighed through her orgasm. He stood to face her for a reward kiss which she gladly gave, then took his face in her hands. "I have something to tell you before we go any further." "Oh?" "I've never done this before." "You're saying you've never had sexual intercourse?" "Yes. I only wanted you to know because I don't know what to do...to pleasure you I mean." He chuckled softly. "You don't have to do anything right now, I'm more than ready." He took her in his arms and brought his lips down on hers again. He lifted one leg and wrapped it around his back, slid his long middle finger up inside her till he hit the membrane. "It'll be easier if we do it this way." he whispered into her mouth. He kissed her passionately while he jabbed at her till the hymen broke. She winced a little from the sting but then he was stroking her in such a way that her excitement was building again. He brought her to climax then positioned himself in front of her, rubbing his cock head against her and just inside her to coat himself with her juices, then slowly entered her. She held him, loving the feeling of him filling her, stretching her. He tried to move slowly, easily but she began pumping, squeezing him till he could hold off no longer. They reached climax together, screaming their pleasure. Afterward, they realized how late it was, rinsed off and dressed quickly before the cleaning crew got there. During the Summer months Walter taught her all the many ways to pleasure him and showed her how enjoy her body. She had no preconceived notions so he was free to teach her different positions and they often used several in one night. By early Fall they knew they were deeply in love and were married in a quiet ceremony. Epilogue One Year Later Walter and Danielle sat at the breakfast table discussing plans for the coming weekend over second cups of coffee. Sunday was their first anniversary and they wanted to go away to celebrate. "Perhaps one of those out of the way Inns." he suggested. "Sounds good to me." she said, kissing him on the cheek as she got up to put her cup in the sink. "I have to push off. I have a meeting at 0730." "Okay. Will you bring me the paper from the hall before you leave?" "Sure." she said. A moment later she handed it to him, kissing him again before she left. "See you tonight." she said, grabbing her briefcase. He waved without lifting his head, little realizing he'd never see her again. He opened the paper and under the heading, The Washington Post was the date. September 11 2001 The End