My Father Called Me A Zero In Front Of Officers Until The Colonel Asked For My Call Sign

close it with a gesture that would have pretended the closing had already occurred.

“Drive safe, Major,” he said.

I paused.

He had said Major.

Not honey. Not sweetheart. Not the particular dismissive flavor of Lucia that he used when he wanted to remind me of my place in the hierarchy of his regard.

Major.

It was the most respectful thing he had ever said continue reading …