I took my son to visit my husband, the commander, but the guard blocked us at the gate and said, “His girlfriend is inside the unit. No visitors!” I covered my son’s ears, called my second brother, and ordered him to cut off every bit of support immediately.

“Ma’am,” he said quietly, “Commander Whitaker is unavailable.”

Olivia looked beyond him toward the administration offices. Her husband’s black Tahoe remained parked in the reserved command space.

“Unavailable?” she repeated. “He told our son he would eat lunch with him today.”

Harris swallowed nervously.

Ethan tugged at her sleeve.

“Mom?”