While I Served Three Tours Overseas, My Mother Margaret Quietly Signed Away Our Family Home

A delivery truck was idling at the curb, puffing white exhaust into the cold air.

“Major Carter hasn’t shown up for a weekend drill in six months,” Thomas said.

“He tells my mother he’s out inspecting supply depots,” I said.

“He drives somewhere else,” Thomas said.

“I sent an absentee report up to regional command headquarters Monday morning.”

“Does Daniel know you filed it?”

“Command rules say I report it blind,” Thomas said.

“He thinks nobody’s watching the roster.”