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I thought about saying, Too soon –
But it actually was a bit too soon, and the joke felt forced.
So I didn’t say anything at all, other than my goodbyes to the other soldiers as we left the Swedish barracks.
31
Lars
As we left the barracks, Rachel said goodbye to the other troops.
Several of them looked at me when she had her head turned, raised their eyebrows, and grinned. Attaboy!
I just shook my head. It’s not like that.
I ignored their looks of, Yeah, RIGHT, and walked out of the barracks with Rachel.
We found Gunnar outside talking with a couple of other guys as they passed a pipe between them. The smell of pot was thick in the air.
The other soldiers immediately turned away, looking guilty as hell, but Gunnar just beamed and held out the pipe. “Change your mind?”
“No,” Rachel said drily.
“You don’t know what you’re missing! Afghan kush is the best!”
“I’ll have to take your word for it.” She stuck out her hand. “Gunnar, it was a privilege to meet you.”
“Same here!” he said and took her tiny hand in his giant one. “Have a safe trip home!”
“Thanks.”
We left him and began strolling towards the main entrance of the base.
“So,” I said, “what’s your real name?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
“Well, you’re half Italian – but your mother’s Italian, so it’s probably not an Italian name – ”
“You see? I shouldn’t have even told you that.”
“Why? Afraid I’m going to come after you?” I teased.
“No. Just a precaution in my line of work.”
“Seriously?” I asked, a little surprised. “You can’t tell me anything?”
“No. So far as you’re concerned, I was never here.”
I looked at her closely.
She gazed back straight into my eyes.
“You’re serious,” I realized.
“I am.”
“Well, that’s unfortunate.”
