Beyond the Point(52)

“Ma,” Private Stanton said, “this is the one I told you about. Lieutenant Nesmith.”

Hannah smiled. The woman opened her arms wide, then squeezed Hannah in a tight embrace against her ample chest. Hannah couldn’t help but feel relieved to have the human contact. Stanton’s mother smelled earthy and fresh, and Hannah breathed her in greedily. The scent of cocoa butter reminded her of Dani, and made her suddenly homesick, not for a place, but for her people.

“Daniel tells me you’re goin’ to Fort Bragg, too,” the woman said. She gripped a silver cross in her well-manicured hand—much larger and more intricate than the one hidden beneath Hannah’s uniform collar. “I just thank God someone’s gonna be lookin’ after my son.”

Hannah stared at Stanton with wide eyes. Even though Hannah was combat trained, the Army had regulations against women leading combat platoons. Hannah would not be looking after him at Fort Bragg. She was headed to a headquarters unit, tasked with building combat outposts, not living or fighting in them.

“Please tell me your mother doesn’t think I’m your platoon leader?”

“That’s exactly what she thinks because that’s exactly what he told me.” Stanton’s mother reared her head back. “You wanna explain, Dan?”

Private Stanton passed his mother a cup of lemonade. “No, Ma. I said I wished she was my platoon leader. You ought to get your ears checked.”

Hannah was shocked. The fact that Private Stanton wanted her as his platoon leader spoke volumes about his respect for her—but then she laughed. “He’s only saying that because he feels bad for breaking my nose. Let me guess. He didn’t tell you that either.”

“No, he told me that.” The woman nodded, eyebrows raised. “I hear he messed you up good.”

AS SHE WALKED out of the Army building, past a flapping American flag and into the dusk, Hannah pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. Indulging her sadness, she dialed Tim’s number, knowing that because he was still at Ranger School, he wouldn’t answer. But the sound of his voice on his outgoing voicemail message would be enough to soothe her loneliness. The phone rang once. Twice. And then she heard his voice.

“Hannah?”

“Wait.” Hannah stopped in the middle of the parking lot, stunned that he’d answered. “Tim?!”

“Yes!” he laughed. “It’s me! How are you? God, I miss you.”

“I miss you too!”

“Am I talking to a Sapper?”

“You are! I’m literally walking out of the graduation ceremony right now. I did it!”

“I knew you would,” he said with pride. “You deserve it.”

“But I didn’t expect for you to answer,” she said. “What’s going on? Did you finish?”

A sigh resounded across the miles, touching them both with its audible breeze.

“I recycled,” Tim admitted. He’d been cut from the training, offered a chance to try again.

Hannah’s eyes closed; she felt the pain in his voice. “Oh, babe, I’m so sorry.”

“I’ll start again in a week.”

Hannah felt her heart sink. More time apart.

“I only have one more phase to pass,” he continued. “The mountain phase. I think I can do it. I was just so sleep deprived and hungry, I just lost my cool. You should see me. I look like a skeleton.”

“I wish I were there to nurse you back to health.”

“Soon enough.”

“I don’t want to hang up,” Hannah said as she approached her rental car. It was stuffed with her gear, ready for her drive to the airport.

“Then don’t,” Tim said.

With that, Hannah pulled out of the parking lot with a smile on her face, a phone on her ear, and the assurance that everything would be okay. Every risk had its reward, and hers was Tim’s deep, smooth voice over the phone. Sure, their marriage wasn’t traditional, but they were a team. Stronger together, even if they were apart.

“Tell me everything,” he said. “You kicked ass, I assume.”

“Well, I’ll start with this. A private broke my nose.”

From: Hannah Nesmith <[email protected]>

Subject: Update from Sapper School

Date: August 30, 2004 12:03:15 PM GMT +01:00

To: Dani McNalley <[email protected]>, Avery Adams <[email protected]>

Check out this picture, ladies. You’re looking at America’s tenth-EVER female Sapper. Not bad for a day’s work. (Actually more like a month, but who’s counting?)

Tim is still at Fort Benning at Ranger School. We’re hoping he’ll finish up before too long, so we can finally have a minute together. Looks like Christmas will be our best bet. Seriously, our life gives new meaning to “ships passing in the night.” To be honest, this is far harder than I ever expected. When I get back to Bragg, I’m going to need some serious hang time with my people.

Dani, can you come to Bragg to see us? Avery—hope your new job won’t keep you too busy to hang when I get back!!

Can’t wait to be home.

Hannah





13


Summer 2004 // New York, New York

Don’t forget your swag bag!”