Chapter 44

“You thinking about the Christmases at the group homes?”

“Yeah. I’m gonna make sure our kid never has to experience what I had to go through. I remember one year I was so pumped that I actually got a present, even though it was badly wrapped. Though when I opened it, I saw the game was broken. No wonder the staff didn’t want it for their own kids.”

“Please don’t.” David turned and gave his man a comforting hug.

“Sorry. It still makes me mad that shit like that was allowed to happen, and for all I know still happens.”

“I think it’s wonderful that even though you’ve been out of the Corps for these past four years, you still try and make Christmas special for deprived kids.”

“The Corps always made a big effort for the Toys for Tots program. And I guess I still wanna make sure kids today don’t have to have the sort of Christmases I had.”

Kissing Bud on the lips, David said, “Adam’s right. You are a superhero.”

“No way. If I was, I wouldn’t have put you through—”