“It’s for the best,” she said. She withdrew her hand and walked into the bedroom, closing the door behind her as her Golden Retriever followed in trail.

Spectre sat there, head in hands, trying to digest what had just happened. Zeus, his 100 lb German Shepherd, slowly approached and nudged his elbow with his nose. The dog sensed the pain, and was trying to cushion the blow the only way he knew how.

“What the fuck just happened, Zeus?” But there were no explanations for Spectre, not even from the incredibly perceptive former military working dog.

*****

“Mom, I did it. It’s over,” she said holding the cell phone to her ear as she collapsed on the bed. Her voice was trembling as she tried to hold back the flood of tears.

“Good for you sweetheart. He wasn’t good enough for you,” Maureen Ridley responded. Her voice was flat and unemotional.

Chloe sat up and rubbed her bloodshot eyes with her free hand. Her mom had never liked Cal, but Chloe had always thought she’d eventually come around, especially after Cal solidified their relationship with his proposal.

“Mom, I know you didn’t like him, but this is still hard,” Chloe said. “Everything is hard right now.”

“Sweetie, you’re young. You will find the right guy,” Maureen responded reassuringly.

Chloe hesitated for a minute. Part of her wanted to let her mom know about her secret, but she still wasn’t quite sure what was going to happen and she was afraid what her mom might say. It was all such a blur.

“Thanks mom. I just feel overwhelmed,” Chloe finally responded after a long silence.

“Is the squadron still giving you trouble?”

“Every day is a new battle, just like you told me it would be,” Chloe replied. As a Congresswoman, her mom had seen firsthand what it was like to be a successful woman in a male dominated profession. It was a constant uphill battle.

“Do I need to make more phone calls?” Maureen asked.

“No, mom, it’s fine. They’re just doing it because I’m the first female fighter pilot. I won’t let them get to me. I’ll show them.”

“That’s my girl,” her mom responded. “You’ll get through this like you’ve gotten through everything else. I’m proud of you.”

.

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C.W. Lemoine is the author of SPECTRE RISING, AVOID. NEGOTIATE. KILL., ARCHANGEL FALLEN, and EXECUTIVE REACTION. He graduated from the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University in 2005 and Air Force Officer Training School in 2006. He is a military pilot that has flown the F-16 and F/A-18. He is also a certified Survival Krav Maga Instructor and sheriff’s deputy.

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