Fort Bliss Page #6

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Sir, I would not be doing this if I didn't

think there was a suitable replacement.

And who might that be?

Sergeant Butcher.

No kidding.

He's tough, he's demanding.

He served two tours in Iraq

and he's got his E6.

He's more than capable

of leading this platoon.

You willing to stake your

reputation on that?

Yes, sir.

You don't back down easy,

do you?

No, sir.

And why is that?

I love my son

and I love my country...

and I don't think I should

have to choose between them.

Your son will be here when you get back,

just like all the other kids.

With all due respect,

no, he won't.

If I deploy with our company,

my ex-husband wants sole custody.

That's exactly what

my ex-wife did to me.

Except she didn't have the

decency to warn me first.

Final decision isn't up to me.

But you make the recommendation.

So now you want me to help you.

Yes, sir.

You are a royal pain in my ass,

you know that, Swann?

Yes, sir.

Hey, Sergeant?

Yeah.

You mind if I ask you

a question?

Shoot.

Word is you're

skipping out on us.

Who told you that?

Is it true?

It's not final, but I do

have my son to think about.

You'll be in good hands.

With who, Butcher?

I'm not at liberty to say.

The guy is a nut job.

Okay, he doesn't know

the half you do.

And what about you

always having our backs?

Talk is cheap, Sergeant.

Is this about you getting

even with me? Huh?

Hey, he's sleeping.

Huh? You're gonna take Paul

halfway across the world...

where he doesn't speak the goddamn

language, he doesn't have anybody but you?

And you're gonna be off at work

all day like you always are.

And that's in his

best interest? Huh?

No, I know it's not

a perfect solution.

And when do he and I get

to see each other?

Once a year? If that, if we

get lucky? If I go to Korea?

Why are you doing this?

You didn't give me a choice.

And you always said a child should

be with his mother. Always!

Yeah, well, you're not

what I had in mind.

Well, you got your new family

to think about now, don't you?

I do, and Paul's in it.

I'm gonna get him back,

and it's gonna be for good.

Is that what's best for Paul?

You'll be hearing

from my lawyer.

Is it?

Show me your tourniquets.

Tourniquets.

Headlamps.

Lamps.

Turn them on.

Uh... mine was working

yesterday, sir.

F*** yesterday.

You got extra batteries, Diaz?

Sh*t... uh.

Want me to go get some extra batteries

at the supply room, Sergeant?

I'll get some right now.

Sergeant?

Swann.

Hello?

This is Derek

Butcher, I can't come to the phone.

You know what to do, so do it.

I gotta go.

Butcher, it's me.

Open the door.

Come on, I see the light.

Open the door, that's an order.

What do you want?

You gonna let me in?

Cut the sh*t and open the door.

I wasn't expecting company.

Where's the furniture?

Bonnie took it.

Left the coffee maker,

though, so, that's a plus.

Sorry.

Did you get in a fight?

Yeah, some college shitheads...

acting all friendly.

Like they knew me, why I joined.

They don't know sh*t.

I told them not to touch me.

I f***ing warned them.

You ever feel

like killing somebody?

All the time, just waiting until

I get paid for it, that's all.

Mm-hm.

Is that why you decided

to become a medic?

Every time I light up those Hadji motherfuckers,

I'm gonna be thinking about my wife.

It's her face I'm gonna see,

underneath those f***ing turbans.

Get that sh*t out of my face.

Give it to me.

Relax, Sergeant.

Give me the f***ing gun!

What's in it for me?

Me not calling the cops.

I knew you were no fun.

Why'd you call me tonight?

Wrong number.

God! Goddamn it!

F***!

Hello? Who's this?

Sergeant Swann, sir.

I'm sorry to call you so late.

What is it, Swann?

It's about Sergeant Butcher,

sir.

Okay, good. Good.

All right, here we go.

I guess this is it, right?

Right here, right now.

If you're looking for tears and a bed of

roses, you better go looking for another gal.

Maybe I will.

I bet.

Do me a favor.

Take down your hair for me.

This is how I remember you,

like this.

Just so you know,

I plan on coming back.

I plan to stay here.

No promises.

No promises.

Okay, pick any two.

Any two I want?

Mm-hm.

This one and this one.

Good choice. Okay, so we're

gonna set one to Texas time.

How do you set them?

You gotta pull it out.

And then this one, we're gonna set to

what time it is in Afghanistan, okay?

And that way, we know what time

it is where the other one is.

Hm.

Sound good?

Now, would you like one

on each wrist?

Next to each other.

Next to each other? Wow.

You're late. We're supposed

to go over the custody papers.

I didn't bring 'em.

Jesus.

There's nothing to sign.

I didn't bring them.

I just want

what's best for Paul...

and I don't think that right now is a good

time to be getting into all of this...

so, just go, and we will talk

about it when you get back.

Thank you.

Okay, where is he?

I'll get him.

Can I do that?

Promise you won't die.

I promise.

Me, neither.

You got it?

Are you gonna hit a lot

of home runs while I'm gone?

Are you excited

about your new bedtime?

8:
00, right?

No, 8:
30.

Oh, it's 8:
30.

Hey, Daddy, we got a new bedtime

of 8:
30, are you cool with that?

Sure.

Hey, kiddo.

Hey, buddy,

look what we got here.

Check that out.

You like the color?

Yeah. Can I ride it?

Yeah, I hope so, it's yours.

What are those for?

It's a coaster break, you stomp on it

real hard, and you pedal backwards.

Mommy?

Mommy! Mommy!

Mommy!

Mommy.

I love you, Mommy.

I am so proud of you.

Give me a kiss. Okay?

I love you so much.

Take one of these every four hours and

you'll feel better in a few days, okay?

STAFF SERGEANT Swann,

change of plans, you ride with me.

Roger that.

Bedtime, buddy.

Oh so familiar

Yes I've been here before

And like a photograph You're

etched in my mind Always

I know we all falter

We all stumble we all fall

I am tired but I am hopeful

We carry on

Through the fire

Through it all

With each new day

The sun will rise

The sun will fall

The world keeps turning

The world keeps turning

The world keeps turning

Turning

I feel it coming

Change within my soul

I'm always learning

Learning through it all

No matter what comes next

I hold my breath

Cannot regret

I am tired

But I am hopeful

We carry on

Through the fire

Through it all

With each new day

The sun will rise

The sun will fall

The world keeps turning

The world keeps turning

The world keeps turning

Turning

We carry on

Through the fire

Through it all

With each new day

The sun will rise

The sun will fall

The world keeps turning

The world keeps turning

The world keeps turning

Turning

The world keeps turning

The world keeps turning

The world keeps turning

Turning

The world keeps turning

The world keeps turning

The world keeps turning

Turning

The world keeps turning

The world keeps turning

The world keeps turning

Turning

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