“You win?” she asked.I smiled over at her daughter. “Let me guess. You two fell asleep before the announcement?”Big Bob laughed and nodded. �...I think so.”“I won. I’ll be the next Congressman from the Maryland Ninth,” I told them.They stared at me for a moment. “Huh. You know, it’s hard to believe. I don’t know as I’ve ever met a Congressman before,” he replied.“We’re pretty normal, Bob,” I said, grinning.Marilyn laughed hard at that. “Don’t push your luck, Carl. You haven’t been sworn in yet!”. Fifteen months in Iraq, seven months since I last saw them on my mid-deployment leave. I talked to them over a week ago from Kuwait confirming their attendance and my love. My wife had mentioned ‘payback’ before hanging up. Now, nothing. Have to think about this.Put on a happy face. Stood through the speeches by the pols and stars, handed out the awards and decorations, received a few, dismissed the troops. Shook a few hands, gave a few hugs and that was that. No-one from the rear detachment. As we went by the group, I could hear cameras clicking and I could see many of the girls in our group trying to shrink themselves so as to not be seen. After another 10 minutes the guys took us off the trail and over to a small clearing surrounded by trees and bushes. It was a relief for us girls to get off the trail and into a more secluded area, towels were laid out, and we set up the picnic. After everything was set up the guys ordered us all to strip out of our shirts. I am pretty. You are too precious to me. Ihave never felt this way about a woman before, but I know I can not stopmyself from acting on my impulses. I am truly sorry."I sat there for a minute then said: "I have something to tell you too. It is hard for me to say, but I will follow your lead and just say it.I am not really a woman. I am a man."Chester sat there for a moment and then chuckled. "Do not jest with me.You are the epitome of woman. I have never met someone more graceful,delicate, and.