I wondered whether anyone else would be walking in the woods today. We continued to walk deep into the woods, obviously searching for somewhere suitab...le for what he had planned. We stopped at a tree, I took off my coat and he pushed me back against the tree taking out rope. He tied both my hands behind the tree but with enough rope between so my hands could move slightly each side round, and tied one of my ankles to a nearby tree too. He slipped a blindfold over my eyes and covered my ears with. Nothing could be done, however, to alter what had passed and he and Gretchen alike thought it best that he think not on what consequences may arise in the coming days, at least for the duration of his birthday, but on only things that make him cheerful. To that end, he produced from his jacket pocket a letter he had that morning received all the way from France. Though not intended as one, it had been the best gift he had received that day and it had lifted his spirits exceedingly, to the point. I love you so much, Steve, but I want a woman to live with too."We kissed and loved for a while before drifting off to sleep.The next day, when we were ready to head back, either to Anchorage or on to San Francisco, John had been convinced to come and visit with Mercy's folks for a few days. Mercy was excited to bring John home for her parents' inspection, even though he was at least ten years older than she was. Dewey and Sheila warned John about Merlin, but after he blew them off several. ”The men all offered ‘go ahead’ motions.“As I was saying,” Nunez continued, “Sergeant Morgan, I’ve been instructed to offer you a return to active duty. Full reinstatement of your retirement rank, plus another rocker to boot***. And immediate assignment to the unit headquarters, detached to my command.”They say that after too many shocks, your system becomes inured to them. Despite the day’s reversals, John clearly hadn’t reached that point. He opened his lips to speak three different times,.