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We went home. There was a lot of planning to do over the next few weeks. Matthew and Mark were going to go back with Grace to California to live with her. We were going to have to have their stuff shipped out there as soon afterward as possible. I was going to follow them out there as soon as I could.
I had not heard anything from General Fain about what he would do about me. I had signed the letter of reprimand that he had drawn up shortly after the funeral. He put it in his drawer and said he was still trying to work something out. I told him that whatever it was, I wouldn't fight it. He again gave me his condolences. I'm starting to think his bluster about homosexuality was just that ... bluster.
There was one thing I had to do that I hoped wouldn't cause Grace any problems. I contacted Bonnie's ex-husband Gary. I told him that Bonnie was dead and that he would have to start sending the child support payments to Grace since she would be taking care of them. I asked him if he would contest Grace for custody of Matthew and Mark. Gary said no, that he had had no part of their life up until now, and he was okay with Grace taking charge of them. I thanked him for that and hung up. I was determined that if he tried to interfere, I would hire the best lawyers to prevent it.
We packed all the boys' clothing and possessions and called the shipper to collect them and send them out to Grace's place. I saw Grace, Matthew, and Mark off at the airport, promising them I'd be out to see them as soon as possible. I hugged each of the boys, telling them how much I loved them and that I would miss them terribly. They both told me they loved me back. I watched them go through the door to get on the plane. Kathy was going to meet them at LAX. She was on crutches now and could get around without too much trouble. I was glad that Grace would have Kathy to support her until I could return. I stood there at the gate, wishing I could go with them until their aircraft pulled out of the gate and then headed out to the parking garage to get my car and head home.
When I got home, I decided it was time to make the call I had promised myself I would never make. I dialed the number from memory, and after three rings, the operator answered, saying, "Pentagon Switchboard. Where may I direct your call?"
"General Michael Travis, please."
"Who may I say is calling?"
"Major Virginia Hanratty."
"One moment, please."
After a minute, I heard a click and then, "This is General Travis."
"Mike, this is Virginia," I said, steeling myself for what was coming.
"Virginia, to what can I blame this call on?" he asked.
"I need to call that favor in you said you owed me," I said.
After a long pregnant pause, Mike said, "Of course, Virginia. Whatever it is, I'll do what I can. By the way, congratulations on getting your line number for Lieutenant Colonel."
"Thanks, Mike," I said. The irony of the situation hit me as I went on to explain to him what I needed. He tried to dissuade me, but I insisted, and he eventually said he'd take care of it this evening.
I thanked him, said goodbye, and hung up. I ate dinner, cleaned, and tidied up until I went to bed, hoping I'd finally get some sleep.
The next morning, I donned my uniform, hating what it represented. The Air Force hadn't been there for me when I needed it most, so why should I continue to owe allegiance to it?
I headed into the base. Instead of going into my office, I headed down to the Air Force Personnel Center. I was going to initiate the paperwork that General Travis had ordered to be prepared for me to resign from my commission. I was done.
***
Afterword: That's the story I intend to tell for now. While Virginia is the reason for this story being told, and there will be more stories involving her, I wish Bonnie's story didn't have to end here. She was a wonderful person and didn't deserve what happened to her. I wish I could have met her more than the one time I did. Unfortunately, that's life. I want to leave you with this homage to Bonnie. A link to the YouTube video is on my bio page if you want to listen to it.
Virginia's story continues in "Tomorrow is Promised."
- COMMENTS
Bodysurferyeahabout 1 year agoSurprise, surprise. Death is the one thing that we all have in common. Good for Bonnie that she had people that loved and cared for her, and that she dealt with her demise gracefully. Thank you for keeping it real.
BelindaTvDKover 1 year agoI am speachless, and tearfull...
Great story, but sad..
Hard not to have a lump in my throat, and tears in my eyes..
Belinda
Nicole2023over 1 year agoMan it took a lot of deep breathes not to cry, i experience hospice care 3x with mom being the hardest. I'm still choked up. Great writing
Runner4069about 2 years agoWow. So beautiful, raw, and moving. I don't have words for what a wonderful job you did with this story, and the utter cruelty of the situation from so many aspects.
Thank-you for sharing
Cindy1001over 2 years agoI almost have no more words for your beautiful words and tale. Moving. Raw, in the emotions and the cruel reality of institutions that prevented men and women to live and love as they choose.
SirDigbyChickenCaesarover 2 years agoFirstly I must apologize for the belated review: I followed this story as it was originally published, but even after finally getting my account working early this year, I've struggled to articulate my reaction.
It's all too fitting you cite BrokenSpokes as your inspiration to write: you two are my go-to citation for arguing erotic fiction can go toe-to-toe with, if not surpass, "mainstream" romance novels. I'm a sucker for military themes, and I was hooked by the first paragraph; Virginia's workday is described in the sort of detail that could only come from someone in the know. I'll confess, while others may be off-put by the intricacies of Air Force R&D, despite being a total rube I was almost more engaged by -that- than the sex!
Other readers have lauded the story's heart far more eloquently than I can; instead I'll speak to the setting. As someone never threatened by the shadow of DADT, the Virginiaverse has been phenomenally educational. I cannot imagine how hard it was for the women and men forced to pursue relationships 'underground'. The white lies, the clandestine rendez-vous, never knowing if one wrong word or errant gesture might set the hounds on her—Virginia might not be a spy, but oftentimes her story reads like a thriller. Bonnie's diagnosis, and the fact that so many legal supports are denied to them at their most needful hour, underscore how -cruel- our society can be to the very people it touts as heroes.
Suffice to say, this proved an endearing first novel, and an enduring foundation to a worthy franchise. I have enjoyed all the stories that have followed, and look forward to those to come.
FriskyMindabout 3 years agoI’m lesbian, and I lost my wife ten years ago. As it happens I live in Dayton so I know exactly the places you mentioned. The ending would’ve hit me hard anyhow, but that really brought it home. Hospice is wonderful and I know they made Bonnies last days easier but,.damn it isn’t fair...
FranziskaSissyover 3 years agoAs is sounds like its a part of true telltale ..... I truly feel tor you and this loss ..... Sickness of a beloved being makes us totally helpless and worthless .... My heart or better soul still crys out on top of lounge for the loss of my grandpa then i was 6 and i had followed his downpath for long ...... Helpless totally helpless and this is tattoed allover my soul ...... So thank you for this story and this amazing talent of your writing skills ..... Bow my head
Anonymousover 3 years agoTo say you are a gifted writer would not do you justice. I have only read "Throwin' Pennies in the Bay" and "Your Silver Nights and Golden Days" but I assure you I will read every other work you have published here. These speak to your soul in a way many other written works are unable to. This world you have created is so vivid and real the reader can feel your connection to it. You give such life with your words. My heart has soared and wept while reading. I have nothing but respect for those that have/do serve no matter what branch and am sorry for hardships they have faced. I also wish love and support for those struggling with cancer the patient and their families. I just lost my mother earlier this year but the time from finding it and losing her was relatively short. So for those that have to watch those they love fade, it rips them apart. Thank you for this tale though it held tragedy it also held so much love as to be a work of art.
Anonymousover 3 years agoI myself am a current serving member who joined in the early 90s. Although not in the US. I have been on deployments along side your nation and witnessed the disgraceful behaviour that your defence laws in-still and the fear of the women I met who couldn’t be themselves even when I could.
The only consequence to falling in love should be happiness not punishment and discharge.
This story pulled at my heart strings and I have no shame in saying I cried for Virginia. The story has real emotion and I hope you continue to entrust us with her journey further.
