have to kick your ass, okay?” “Okay. And, Bobby, thanks.” “You’re welcome.”

Puller clicked off and had to smile.

 

His brother was on his side.

 

The phone call was being monitored. Robert had told Puller that by virtue of a

lie only the two brothers would have known.

 

Robert Puller was his mother’s favorite, not John. Though she had never showed

it overtly, both sons knew it was true. It had been shown in a thousand small,

sometimes barely perceptible ways.

 

Their mother had favored the studious and shy Robert over John, who more closely

resembled his father in toughness and with no lack of confidence in his

abilities.

 

And though Puller shared his mother’s sensibilities, it was also true that

Jackie Puller had probably sensed that as the older son Robert Puller would be

automatically judged by his father’s accomplishments. And what little boy could

measure up to that?

 

Thus, her attention had been directed to him.

 

Robert had told Puller that the Army would be okay with him taking some time

off. So he must have known about the official leave.