A White Mercedes Pulled Up to Gate Six on a Tuesday Afternoon Without a Permit

Promotion to Master Sergeant, immediate.

Preferred reassignment, Naval Air Station Pensacola.

Family housing guaranteed, four bedrooms, a school district noted in the margin in somebody’s neat hand.

Fourteen thousand more a year.

I did the arithmetic before I decided to.

“Four bedrooms,” I said.

“Your oldest is at the middle school on Ridgeway.

The twins are at the elementary.” He folded his hands.