In Patagonia, Andy and I had talked with Weasel and David about how to manage his return home. Weasel and Andy said that on return they were usually very tired. David said he sends the kids to the grandparents for a week to allow Weasel to reset. For the first two days, they would be alone, but he was on her clock. The next two, he went to the grandparents' and left her alone, so she had time to think and unwind. Then, sh...

Bryan and I remain silent as he drives me back to my real life. I can't believe our weekend together is already over. I look out the window as I recall the time that Bryan and I shared after the evening at the club. He drew me a bubble bath and joined me in it. I got the sweet, caring Bryan. He washed and kissed me as I tried to make sense of what had just happened. "I'm sorry about Sylvia. I was afraid I'd take you to th...

I'm washed, perfumed and all dolled up. But still naked. I'm afraid Bryan's thinking of taking me out like this. On a leash. Would I let him? I'm relieved when my master brings me a dress and orders me to put it on. Well, dress may be a strong word. Black, but made of a material that's practically translucent, the garment is held together by thin straps and the neckline struggles to contain my breasts. At the bottom, the...

After the CRJ landed in Santiago, I bid farewell to others including David and especially Terri who had decided that I was her little sister! But we knew that in a few weeks, we’d reconnect in Whistler and I quickly connected to my A350 for the long flight home. Andy had given me a spare Surface and I now had a Rapid Response logon. There were several emails I needed to answer so they could complete my onboarding. Once I...

Naked on the sofa, I rest against Bryan. He strokes my hair as I think back to that call with Alexander. I've never been so eager to question all my life choices. I'm so happy here with Bryan. The wise thing to do would be to return home. If my husband comes back early and finds our house empty, everything will fall apart. This dirty call was so out of character for him. Something's wrong, I know it. "You want to talk abo...

I woke at 4 AM in Ellie’s spare room, feeling surprisingly refreshed despite all the drama and tedium mere hours ago. After a quick shower, I pulled on a red Icebreaker 250 zip-up, last night’s jeans, and a thick polar fleece as it was cold outside and would be colder at my destination, though my heart would soon heat up there. I was shocked to see Ellie, normally useless until daylight, up and had pancakes ready. I wonde...

This far north, the sky doesn’t fully darken in summer. Aquamarine edges circle an indigo zenith, the inkiness punctured by stars. My breath fogs on the window and I swipe absently to clear it again. The house sits dark and quiet around me. The baby sleeps, for now. I cup my tender breasts and smile. She should be down for the night now after her recent nursing. Her eyes were watchful on mine as she fed. I could gaze at h...

Walking up the GX’s steps, I turned around and blew Sarah a kiss. I’ve seen this in happen in the movies and thought it was contrived. But this was from the deepest part of my soul, and I saw it had hit her soul like a freight train. I really had no choice leaving: two guys laid out with COVID and one with a broken leg meant that if I didn’t go, nobody would be available to do ground support on the deployed aircraft. If I...