in my own thoughts and silence filled the room. Bill finally looked up at me, his dulled brown eyes on the verge of wetting, as if he heard every word I didn’t say.

“There was a time… when a soldier could serve a few years, settle down, get a good job and make a good living.” His gaze fell toward the desk, focusing on nothing in particular. “I wish you kids the best, really I do, but… it’s not the way it was a century or two ago… and there’s nothing I can do to save my life that’ll give you another dollar. That’s just the world and I’m sorry.”

For a moment, the only sound in the room was from the gentle waves crashing on the beach outside.

Bill sat up and coughed again. “What’s a dead dog like me know anyway? Go spend the time with your girl.” Cough. “Business hours start back up in two weeks. I always get something then. Happy New Year in the meantime.”