Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 This ones for the guys and girls overseas.  May they all get home safe.

   Cold Tears - By SafeWord

   The cold desert wind flitted across the scrub land tearing at bushes
until it came to the two men huddled together for warmth in a shallow slit
tench they had dug beside their Humvee.  Playfully the wind tore at their
helmet's and ponchos, flicked sand in their eyes.

   Dam this wind, anything in the scope Jim?

   Nothing.

   You're quiet, what's up?

   Just thinking of home.

   Yeah what?

   Christmas

   Yeah, so tell me . . .

   Well . . .  Last year, I had to work Christmas Eve, the back shift at
the factory, didn't get home till Christmas Morning.  I found my wife,
sound asleep, curled up under our little Christmas tree.  She looked so
beautiful, like a kitten sleeping.  She was wearing a see though red
negligee, little red nylons, had a big red ribbon round her neck with a
sign she'd made, and it read . . .  "Open Me First".

   Aw Shit!

   Yeah Man, aw shit.

   The men's voices faded and with a howling sigh , the desert wind moved
on though the night.


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