.to get a good meal," but rather, "...to get a good feel," and Mom seemed to understand without my saying it."Honey, no matter what else is going on, ...our studies have to take priority. You're a man now and you have to make the smart decision, no matter what other desires are influencing you."That was probably as close to sexting as Mom would ever get. She acknowledged that there was a desire, a major desire, that was foremost in my mind.As we came closer to the end of the semester, there was a. If they were lucky, they could make it across the desert to the northern route, and it would have water and forage. If they came out too far from a wadi, or turned the wrong way once they reached the northern route, they could all perish of thirst.John had experience before of traveling north to look for water in a barren environment. This time the lives of the entire caravan depended on him as well. As soon as the locusts had thinned down enough to permit glimpses of the stars, John got. Promoted to Flight-Engineer!The CO offered to move me up in the Flight Engineer spot on another chopper so I took it. It did not take me long to realize the load that would be on my shoulders. Now I was responsible for the safety of four other men and a multi-million dollar helicopter at the age of nineteen. I learned quick and accepted the responsibility. The positive aspect was I loved working on Chinooks. It was easy for me to identify with the mechanics of them. I always had the ability to. And here, I decided, on what seemed to be a whim, but was probably some part of my mind making plans, to lead Carrie and I this way on our journey back to her house. The minute we turned to walk down the old railroad tracks, the day moved fifteen degrees to the left. It was still pleasantly warm, but the tracks ran underneath some heavy trees with shrub to both sides, and it seemed a little cooler and shadier. It also seemed a little more wild. Carrie seemed happy enough with this. We continued.