JJ,
I hope this note finds you well. I’ve been thinking about what you said in your last message, about what life would be like once the fighting ends. I could read the subtext without you having to telegraph anything, and that subtext worries me. I’m beginning to question everything I thought I knew.
Almost everything. I bought the ring. We’re supposed to spend some time together next week—I have some leave slotted and she’s made arrangements to rent a sailboat so we can sail up the coast and enjoy the quiet. She doesn’t think I know about the cottage and I don’t have it in me to ruin the surprise. I just hope that it feels like the right time to do it while we’re out there.
Life’s too short to keep waiting for the perfect moment, right? Especially if what you didn’t say is true. Why waste what we have?
Docket is routine for the next few weeks on my end. I imagine it’s a lot of the same on yours. Heard about the new flagship—good luck with the shakedown cruise. Hopefully the luck’s not needed, but you never know when the ship’s on her maiden. There’s always a few kinks to work through, right?
I’ll let you know how the trip goes one way or another. Cross your fingers that I don’t chicken out again.
Step lightly out there,
Ben
