Up Country: A Novel by Nelson DeMille

Transcript

The military, as I've always said, is tough on relationships. It's not a job; it's a calling, a commitment that makes other commitments really difficult, sometimes impossible.

"Are you there?" she asked.

"I'm here."

"We can't go on like this Paul. It hurts."

"I know."

"What should we do?"

I think she was willing to resign and forfeit a lot of her pension in exchange for the "M" word. Then we'd decide where to live, find jobs and live happily ever after. And why not? We were in love.

"Paul?"

"Yeah."

"I'm thinking."

"You should have already thought about all this."

"Right. Look, I think we should talk about this in person, face to face. We'll talk over dinner, in a restaurant."

"OK."

"I'll call you when I get back from Rucker. I'll come there or you come here."

"OK."

"Hey, how's your divorce coming?"

"It's almost final."

"Good."

Regarding her loving husband, I asked, "Do you see much of Major Nutcase?"

"Not much. At the O club, once in a while, can't avoid those situations."

"Does he still want you back?"

"Don't try to complicate a simple situation."

"I'm not. I'm just concerned that he might try to kill me again."

"He never tried to kill you, Paul."

"I must have misinterpreted his reason for pointing a loaded pistol at me."

"Can we change the subject?"

"Sure."