“How long you got, Pops?”
“Jesus Christ, what a thing to ask me. I don't wanna remember because it'll just make me nervous to think about it. You asshole.”
I didn't expect him to jump into my s**t and it hurts my feelings, but I had it coming; it was a dumb thing to ask at a time like this. It's hard to think what it'll be like after he's gone.
It is harder to think of what it will be like when I am as close as he is. Deep inside of me—no, maybe not so deep—I don't believe I'll make it. Even when I first got orders for Nam I never thought I'd make it if I ever got here. All along, I thought something would happen and somehow I'd get out of getting sent here.
“Pops, man, I'm sorry. I'm scared, man. I'm an asshole.”
“Hey, f**k it. Just because you're scared doesn't mean you're an asshol
