Page 14 of Relentless Surrender

“I’m a SuperCobra pilot.”

“Is that like a snake charmer?” she said playfully.

“No,” he laughed. “I fly close air support attack helicopters. Although after my leave is up, I’ll be heading for some new training on the Viper and Venom.”

“More snakes? Wait. Viper and Venom…aren’t they villains from the G.I. Joe cartoon?”

“Wrong Branch. That’s the Army. The Viper and Venom are upgraded attack helicopters. We’re retiring the SuperCobra.”

“Have you been in the Marines long?”

“Ten years. Enough about me. Your turn.”

Strange, she usually hated when the men she was with talked only about themselves but she found herself disappointed when Conner wanted to turn the conversation to her. She liked how his dark blue eyes brightened with pride as he talked about being a Marine. With his strong jaw and angular features, he usually looked imposing and almost fearsome…still handsome, definitely, devastating, distractingly handsome…but a bit fearsome, that wasn’t the case now. Now he had a relaxed, teasing glint in his eye. His lips were turned up with just the hint of a smile. Dressed simply in a white t-shirt and khakis she could see every shift and movement of his chest muscles.

“I’m afraid I don’t have any G.I. Joe super villains or snakes in my story,” she joked, stalling for time.

Here was a man genuinely interested in learning more about her and yet Sage felt this irrational fear. Telling Conner about herself would make it all more…real, not to mention the distraction that was simply him!

“Sage,” he said in that dark warning tone she found hard to disobey.

“MacGovern,” she blurted out. “My name is Sage MacGovern.”

“And what do you do for a living, Sage MacGovern,” he prodded.

“I work for a foundation that approves grants for art and music programs in schools.”

“That’s really cool!” said Conner, impressed.

“Thanks. I like to think so. It is nice thinking your work helps make a small difference in the world.”

“That’s how I feel about my life with the Marines.”

Their conversation ceased as their entrees arrived.

* * *

After insisting on taking her to the Georgetown mall to purchase a dress, which was cute but way more modest than the one he tore to shreds but she wasn’t going to bring that up, Sage figured they would part ways. Conner had other ideas.

“I haven’t been to the war memorials yet this trip. I would like it if you joined me.”

This was one request Sage didn’t even think about refusing. When someone from the military asks you to go help them honor their kind’s sacrifice you put aside any misgivings you may have about them personally and you go.

They parked near the Lincoln memorial and walked the rest of the way.

“Which one is your favorite?” she asked.

“I’d have to say the Korean War Memorial. The names of victims etched into a stone show the reality and sacrifice of war but those figures just blindly marching on, showing the tedium, the exhaustion, that is a reality of war, too.”

Without thinking, Sage took his hand. He squeezed it gently as they walked on towards the Vietnam Memorial.

Conner stopped at a flag pole displaying the American flag. At its base was a copper plate displaying the insignia of each branch of the military. “What do you see?” he asked.

Sage looked closely. The copper base was tarnished and stained except for one section. It shone as bright as a new penny. She looked closer and saw the distinctive globe and eagle emblem of the Marine Corps. Sage looked up at Conner.

“Each morning we send someone out to polish it,” he explained. “Respect.”

“What about the rest of it?”

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