enlisted as well,” said Puller. “That’s right. I heard you didn’t follow your

father to West Point.” Puller was surprised by this. “Who did you hear that

from?” “Army women keep in touch. Scuttlebutt as fine art, I like to say.”

“Carol Powers told me essentially the same thing.” “I was very surprised to hear

from her that you were looking into your mother’s disappearance. I mean, it’s

been such a long time.” “I’ve been surprised by a lot of things lately.” Bristow

sighed and picked up her cup again. “She was a beautiful woman. On the inside as

well as the outside. She was very popular at the post. Everyone loved her. She

could have put on airs, what with being a general’s wife. But she pitched in and

worked on projects, right in the trenches with all of us. And she brightened

every room she walked into.” She paused and added, “She was a help to both my

husband and me when we were going through our… issues.” “I’m glad to hear that.

I remember going to St. Mary’s.” “I can still see her walking in with her two

boys all dressed up in their Sunday best. You both were tall back then too. No

surprise given how big your father was. And Jackie wasn’t short either.” “He

didn’t go to church very much.” “You get to that rank the Army takes over your

life.” “I guess so.” “Maybe that’s why you didn’t go to West Point,” she said,

giving him a shrewd look. “Maybe,” he said noncommittally. “If I can speak

frankly, I always thought it an odd match, your father and Jackie.” “Why was

that?” “Well, she was nine years younger, for starters.” Puller hadn’t really

thought about the age difference between his parents. By the time he might have

focused on it, his mother had long since vanished. “And your father was the most

focused man I’ve ever met.

 

Commanded every room he walked into. The men loved and feared him.” “I wouldn’t