One was now in front of me.
Talked awhile. He recalled the turmoil and anguish of that day. His voice was thick, he clutched my shoulder before leaving. “I’ll sleep better tonight,” he remarked. Know you made it.”I thought it was over. Beautiful, unbelievable moment. He paused before leaving.
“There’s…something else,” he continued, lowering his voice. “Something I should say.”
Then everything changed.John sat back, massaging his hands like he was summoning up the bravery to speak something buried for decades. He sharply exhaled and looked at me.
I had a child there. In Saigon.”
My chest felt strangely pressured. “You had a child?”
He nodded. Linh, woman. We met while I was stationed there. We fell in love despite expectations. We had a boy before I realized it.” Cracked voice. “I tried to go with them, but failed. I lost





