Golden Box Book Publishing GBBPub February Magazine | Page 10

Tess clicked Gia into the car seat. “I want to stop anywhere that will
delay the inevitable, but it won’t accomplish anything or make anything
easier.”
“Mommy, what does in… inev… inevible mean?”
Tess swallowed hard. “It means that something is going to happen
whether we want it to or not.”
The car ride home was quiet. They sat Gia on the couch. Tess
smoothed back Gia’s curls.
“Honey, Mommy has to tell you something, and it’s not very good
news.”
“Are you sad?” Gia glanced from Tess to Antonio. “Are you?”
Tess met Antonio’s eyes. He nodded. Truth all the way.
“I am sad, sweetheart. Daddy is, too.”
Tears welled in Gia’s eyes, and Antonio could read the sudden fear
and confusion in them. His heart snapped in two. “But why, Mommy?”
“I have to go away for a while, and you and Daddy have to wait for
me here. I’m not sure how long I’m going to be gone.”
“I want to go!” Gia tried to leap in Tess’ arms.
“You can’t go, baby. Where I’m going is bad, bad people, bad
houses, not a place for a little girl.”
“But why are you going?”
“It’s my job. The Army is sending me and my whole unit there. Do
you remember when you met all the other people that Mommy works
with?”
“Yep. Everyone wore the same uniform.”
“That’s right. And now we have to put on our uniforms and go to
work.”