All in all it would be three weeks before I saw her again.I didn't want to admit that every time I slept with a girl on the first date, things always ...soured within a month or two. I had grown paranoid I guess.We talked on the phone almost every chance we'd get, but matching up free time seemed to be damned near impossible. If I was off, she'd be working. The one weekend we did have off, her Aunt Mary passed away and she flew to Florida with her family for the funeral.Finally the weekend after. "You open the door to let him in, then close it behind him."The ice maker, it doesn't work all the time, and we're expecting company this weekend."Just inside the door he places his tool box on the floor and turns to face you. His deep, hazel/green eyes meet yours. You stand not moving under his unblinking gaze, and a tremor of fear, or is it excitement, quivers along your spine. For what seems an eternity, neither of you speaks or moves. You are riveted in place by his eyes. They seem to reach. I stoodup from the ottoman, the ache in my feet all-too temporarily relieved,and took one last glimpse around the room to ensure everything wasperfect for Her arrival. Champagne, strawberries, candles: all perfect.I minced to her bed - the one I used to share with Her - and began theturndown service that She had come to expect. I folded the heavy duvetat the foot of the bed, pulled back the top sheet, and fluffed thepillows.I gasped. Her scent wafting up from the sheets - an intoxicating. The Taliban will begin to kill the children when they discover they are being freed.”I wanted to ask Amir for more information, but we had almost reached the first building. I touched him on the shoulder to stop him and whispered, “Amir, you need to wait here while I clear the building.”He whispered, “Ben, there are probably eight children in this building and five Taliban. Can you take care of all five Taliban?”I whispered a reply, “No problem, just don’t come in until I call you.”I slipped up.