”I figured after that little diatribe I should head back to my quarters. With calls of “Good night, Pappy” I headed out the door, glad that I ha... spent some time with the enlisted guys and started building a relationship with them. When I was in the Air Force I’d seen too many officers who treated their enlisted guys like disposable slaves, and not too surprisingly, those disposable slaves didn’t do a darned thing to help that unit succeed. I’d learned that if I spent the time to build. “Damn right.” I take a swig. “I’ve worked under her for three years now, doing everything she asks. I get a nice pat on the head sometimes, but if anything goes wrong, then I’m thrown under the bus and scolded like a...”“Red headed stepchild?“ Lewis offers.I shrug. “Something like that." I slide one of the folding chairs out and plop myself on it. "One that she can kick whenever she feels like it. I fought for this job because it was a promising startup. I have ambition, but it won't get me. "I sat and did not say anything. He poured a couple of more inches from his bottle."You kill 'em?" he asked.I nodded.The girls came back in, smiling. One said, "We agreed, Papa, I get to wear the ring today and Dora gets it tomorrow. Is that all right, if we go every other day?"He nodded, and I watched his mouth quiver as his daughters trotted off, happily trading jests and admiring the small ring.In the barn, I pulled off my boots, checked the pistol's pan, and rolled into my blanket after. I need some time to think." I answered.Understanding my unspoken request he said, "Well, I have to get back to theoffice. I'll call you later when I get home tonight, to check on you. Also yourmother will be by later. If can bring yourself to not tell her about ourconversation I'd appreciate it. If you feel you need to talk to her though, I'llcertainly understand." He left without another word.I was devastated. I had no idea that Mandy had ever been pregnant. How could Ihave done that to her?.