Chapter Twenty-One

If Drew did this, he could retire much sooner.

"This" meant moving to Burlington, Vermont for eight months to train several groups of medics for the battlefield. If he took this eight month job and relocation, he could retire immediately afterwards and still have his remaining medical school fully funded by the military.

This all sounded great but Drew was worried about uprooting the girls from their home, friends and school; even if they would be returning. Brianna and Cori would have to looked after different sets of doctors and Brianna would have to start yet another school. The only positive part; it was a nine-to-five job and Rick's parents lived in burlington. The girls could get to spend more time with their grandparents. They could easily find a home to rent. When her dads sat down and talked to Brianna about it, she didn't see their concerns.

Having to see new doctors for eight months and go to a new school would be "bummer." But they would come back here after that time, so what was the big deal? "I'd rather go with you and all of us stay together and not stay here just for school."

"Are you sure?" Drew asked.

"Duh. Yeah. And it means after this, you're out of the army and don't have to go those messed places again. Double duh."

Both dads laughed.

As far as Cori and kindergarten, her parents were going to defer that till the following September. Drew, Rick and even Syd Jennings thought this assignment was "supposed" to be a punishment, for Drew interfering with Afghan law and the medical care of a pregnant 15-year-girl sold to an old man for marriage by her family. Syd and Rick knew everything Drew had done for that girl. And Drew didn't regret;anything; it was against the rules but it was the right thing to do. The only way the military could "punish" Drew was to separate him from his family.

For him, that would be torture.

Burlington, Vermont

The physical move itself was the hardest.

The men had forgotten how much trouble it was to move everything in the house, not mention one with two children. Rick's parents bought a new booster seat for Cori and the two were going to have to lease two SUVs. The two were able to find a spacious four bedroom, two bathroom house with a front yard on the same street as Rick's parents. And the owner allowed pets too. Cori's parents and sister told her to think of this as "an adventure." They would be coming home to San Antonio.

Summer in Vermont was very different weather wise than Texas. But Trent and Olivia Lincoln had pulled out all the stops for their grandchildren (and granddog) setting up a swing set and slide in their backyard and basketball hoop in their driveway so the two could have the comforts of home. They were excited at the prospect of having the family so close by, even for a few months.

It was here in Vermont in their new home, Cori had said her first unprompted "I love you." Drew's had a particularly difficult first week. He was some of his recruits would "wuss out." He wasn't sure how they were selected for this job in the first place. Rick and Bri were over at his parents' house playing basketball. Rick said they would bring back dinner. Drew moved over on the sectional as Cori climbed up.

She put her two hands on his cheeks and kissed his face. "I love you, daddy," she said, laying down on his chest.

Instantly overcome with emotion, Drew swallowed hard.

"I love you, too, baby girl."

Story continues in Family Deployment