Red Snow. Sean Ryan Stuart

last night? I hope so, because I slept like the living dead.”

      “Well, I can’t honestly remember being more exhausted in my life. You wore me out, my sweet. Hey, you got to take it easy on me, doctor, I haven’t had any sex in over a year,” he teasingly chided her.

      “Okay, okay, what are we going to do for the rest of the day?

      What do you have planned for me? I was kind of hoping for a small amount of nutrition, food, K-rations, anything please. I’m starving,” he whined.

      “Get ready and I’ll take you out to lunch,” she glowered back at him, in mock disappointment.

      Jeremy quickly rose, his head spinning around like a top. He staggered over to the shower and turned the spigot on hot. He stood there, allowing the scalding water to revitalize his tired body. After fifteen minutes, he felt better and got dressed. Loretta was sitting on the couch waiting for him when he exited the bathroom.

      “You are so slow, mon cher. I have been waiting for fifteen minutes; let’s go now,” she said.

      “All right, already. Boy, no pleasing you, is there?” Jeremy replied with a smile.

      The drive across the bridge took less than five minutes. Loretta took the Embarcadero exit and proceeded to a side street, off of Van Ness. Mama’s Place was a small family-owned restaurant, two blocks away from the usual tourist traps on the wharf. They had no problem getting a table. Mama recognized Loretta and said,

      “Cara mia, buono giorno, (My darling, good morning), Loretta, how are you, darling? Come in, come in.”

      “Who is this most hamsomee gentlemen? Your cavalieri (cavalier) grandioso (fabulous) gentleman, you are very big. I bet your mama feed you good. I take care of you, like your mama. Guiseppe, Guiseppe, la doctora is here, give her the best table, in the corner,” screamed Mama at an unknown individual standing near the bar.

      Loretta and Jeremy walked over to the table, and sat down in a comfortable circular booth, the bright red vinyl gleaming despite age. The red-checked table cloth smelled of fresh laundry soap. A young man, barely out of his teens, walked over and said, “Hi, I am Guiseppe, but please, call me Joe.”

      “I hate this silly name. My mama gave me this name and I despise it,” he said emphatically.

      “Okay, Joe, I won’t add insult to injury,” Jeremy said.

      “How about a bottle of your best Chianti, breadsticks and some Antipasto, Prosciutto ham and melon,” Jeremy asked?

      “Okay, boss, but Mama has given me orders, she will prepare a feast for you, and you know Mama. She always gets what she wants,” Joe said.

      “Hey, CPT Loretta, are you still going to Vietnam next month?” Joe said, with a frown on his young face.

      “I am going to join next month, too,” Joe exclaimed, with a proud gesture.

      “Airborne, Special Forces for me,” Joe exclaimed with a boast.

      “Maybe we see each other. Oh, oh, better not, that would mean I would be wounded or dead, and I haven’t even told Mama yet,” Joe stated, with a look of fear and horror on his face.

      Joe realized that no one was listening to him. Jeremy and Loretta were intensely staring at each other. Finally, Jeremy broke the ice and stammered, “Why, why didn’t you tell me? How could you not tell me,” Grant demanded.

      “Don’t you think I understand? “How long have you known?” he demanded.

      “I am so sorry, cheri, I wish I could have told you in a different way, but I just didn’t have the courage,” Loretta blurted out, her voice trembling with emotion.

      “I probably would have told you this weekend, it’s so difficult,”

      she cried out.

      They both stared at each other, not knowing what to do or say. Joe finally broke the ice by once again apologizing for his faux-pas.

      “Oh, man, I really stepped in it. I haven’t even joined the Army yet, and I already put my foot in my mouth,” Joe whined.

      Jeremy slowly looked over at Loretta and asked for an explanation.

      “I don’t know where to start, I am sorry, so sorry,” Loretta replied, her eyes welling up with tears.

      “I still have about thirty days left, and I hope that you will be able to spend some time with me,” Loretta answered.

      She looked down and was unable to speak. Her sobs slowly increasing in intensity until everyone in the restaurant stared at her. Jeremy knew he could not resist any woman who cried so passionately.

      “Okay honey, enough said; let’s forget it ever happened. Let’s have some dinner and spend the next thirty days loving each other.”

      “I am sure I can make them the happiest days of your life; besides if you give me a clean bill of health, I might just go back to Vietnam as a civilian and visit you, or something,” he snickered in a less than convincing fashion.

      The next twenty-nine days were spent in a wildly passionate and loving fashion, the nights filled with ardent desires needing to be fulfilled. The days were spent taking long and romantic walks along the most beautiful seashore in the world. His love for Loretta increased in intensity and desire. Jeremy had never felt so happy in his entire life. He dreaded the thought of being away from her for an entire year. Yet he knew that she was as dedicated and committed to her job, as he had been, prior to his going over there. October 13 began like so many other days in the bay area, cold, dreary and overcast. Loretta had begged him not to drive her to Travis AFB. Her emotions were confused and chaotic. She strongly wished to see him one last time, and at the same time feared the obvious tearful adieu. Jeremy solved her indecision by forcing her into the car and driving her to the base.

      The drive to Travis normally took sixty minutes. However, today’s traffic was unusually heavy, and they seemed to inch along the freeway at ten miles an hour. Neither Jeremy nor Loretta was able to speak. Finally, after nearly one hour of total silence, Jeremy blurted out, “Damn, wouldn’t it be horrible if you missed your plane.”

      “Don’t be silly, we have plenty of time, my flight is not scheduled to leave until 21:30 hours and it’s only one o’clock in the afternoon.”

      “Are you really sure you want to do this?” she asked.

      “I wouldn’t have it any other way my dear,” Jeremy answered.

      The traffic eventually thinned out, and they made good time the rest of the trip. Grant took the Travis AFB exit off I-80 and drove down the Travis Parkway until they reached the main gate. A young Air Force security policeman checked their I.D.’s and saluted smartly, as they drove past. Travis AFB was and is one of the largest Air Force installations in the world. It played a pivotal role in the Vietnam War. Daily flights of C-130s, C-141s and giant C-5s could be seen landing and taking off twenty-four hours a day. Jeremy slowly drove past the main gate looking for the Operations Terminal building. They were eventually directed to the location by a passing airman. Jeremy stopped the car in front of the building and reflected on the fact that nothing had changed since his first flight to Vietnam.

      Loretta got out of the car and pretended to be in a cheerful mood.

      “Hey, Jeremy, they even have coffee, candy and soda machines. It’s a great way to spend the next eight hours,” Loretta whimpered.

      Although Loretta attempted to appear cheerful, her facial expressions betrayed her true emotions.

      “Damn, I wish we could spend some time alone, and away from this environment,” Loretta blurted out.

      “Okay, honey, let’s go inside and sign in. Maybe we can find some privacy somewhere around in this area,” Jeremy said.

      “Yes, ma’am, can I help you?” said the young sergeant.

      “I am scheduled for flight 2203, Than Son Nhut Airport, Republic