For some reason there was no camaraderie, no jocularity. It was a solemn dinner, with Pappy saying grace. There was barely any conversation, and what conversation there was was hushed or whispered for some reason. Hours later, back in their quarters, Sam explained it away by saying everyone was thinking of home and family, and the bottom line was they were all just a little homesick. The others nodded in agreement.

“And we all ate way too much,” Hawkins said.

Slick had the last word when she said, just before lights out, “I wonder where we’ll all be at this time next year.”

It was a week before Christmas at Sunday night dinner when Pappy entered the dining hall just as dessert was being served. He got their attention when he said he had an announcement to make.

“In the spirit of the holidays and the unusual weather we’ve been having, I’ve decided to reward you all with a trip off the mountain, courtesy of your employer. You leave in the morning and will have five days to Christmas shop or just relax in a hotel. You’ll be met at the airport by some of our people. It’s not mandatory that you go. This trip is my Christmas present to you. You will return Christmas Eve morning. The week between Christmas and New Year’s will be free time for all of you here on the mountain. There will be a New Year’s Eve party to usher in the New Year. Finish your dessert and have your team leaders see me later in my quarters for last-minute details.”

The recruits looked at one another when Pappy marched into the kitchen and closed the door.

Pappy waited for what he knew would be an earsplitting crescendo of sound. He didn’t have long to wait. He grinned at his father as he shrugged elaborately.

Kyros eyed his son, his dark eyes sparkling. “I guess that means the minute the helicopter lifts off, you’re going to go into decorator mode, eh?”

Pappy shrugged again. “You’re supposed to have a Christmas tree on Christmas. You’re supposed to have a wreath on the door. You can’t ignore Christmas. They worked hard. They deserve this two-week respite.”

Kyros clucked his tongue as he pretended to be upset. “You ignored it nine years out of ten. You were so big on bah humbug you were hateful. You also slept through Christmas right up through New Year’s for nine of those years.”

“That was then, this is now. Christmas is a time of joy. Let’s be joyful. That’s an order, Pop!”

“Yes, sir,” Kyros said, saluting smartly.

“I’m thinking of a New Year’s Eve party. What do you think of that, Pop?”