“Well, I softened the tone a lot. I’m sure it still shocked the hell out of you,

but her words, well, they were far harsher than what I wrote in that letter.

Part of me felt like I was betraying my wife for doing that.” “It would be an

awkward situation for anyone, Mr. Demirjian, and especially so for you. I

wouldn’t want to be in that spot.” “I don’t want you to believe for one second

that I agree with my wife on this, because I don’t. But she’s dying, John, and

this was so important to her. I didn’t want to open a can of worms for your

daddy.

 

He’s the last man on earth I’d ever want to hurt. But like I said, if I didn’t

do it, Lynda would have found someone else.” “I understand.” Puller paused and

considered carefully his next words. “Do you think it would be possible for me

to talk to her?” “I thought you might ask that.” “I don’t want to do it if it

will upset her. I mean that.” “I don’t think much could upset her now. And she’s

one tough woman. I wore the uniform, but she raised seven kids on an enlisted

man’s pay, largely on her own because I was always gone. And we moved fourteen

times while the kids were growing up. I wonder which one of us is the real tough

one?” “So I can speak to her?” “Way I see it, she’s started all this. Now it has

to be seen through.

 

And he’s your daddy. You have some rights in the matter.” “Thank you.” “I’ll

make the arrangements. You can come over later this morning. It takes her a

while to get going these days. Give me your phone number and I’ll call you in a

bit.” Puller did so.