Chapter 5

VOLUME TWO: CHRISTMAS PROMISES

"Work? Are you telling me you have to work on our first Christmas?" Elyse Donnelly's eyes flashed, partially with anger, mostly with disappointment. Her husband, Nick, sat down slowly at their small breakfast table with a sigh.

Without waiting for him to answer she continued with her tirade. "You haven't even been back from Iraq four months, I've been dragged across the country, we're miles away from family and friends, and you're telling me you can't be with me for Christmas?"

"I don't want to spend the day alone in this tiny apartment by myself. You'll have to get out of working, that's all there is to it," she said with finality.

"Honey, it doesn't work like that and you know it. When you're in the Army and they tell you to work on Christmas Day, you work on Christmas Day. And, that's all there is to that. Come here," he said as he opened his arms to her.