My Father Smirked and Told the Wedding Guests

on his glasses.

You could hear ice shift in somebody’s drink.

General Foster looked at me first.

“Major Hayes. Forgive the breach of timing.”

“Permission to proceed, sir,” I said.

A few heads turned at that. People always think formality is theater until they hear it used for real.

He gave one short nod and read the letter aloud.

“By direction of the Commandant continue reading …