She moved in with her parents. Works full-time at a call center now. Posts dramatic quotes about “escaping narcissistic abuse.” The community knows better. News travels fast in military towns.
Haley’s doing much better. Therapy’s helped. She told me recently:
“Dad, you could’ve destroyed everything. But you were just… strategic.”
“Scorched earth burns everyone,” I told her. “Strategy gets results.”
Cody struggled at first, but kids adjust. He still loves his mother, which is healthy. She’s trying, slowly. Maybe she’ll get unsupervised time one day.
As for me? Healing from deployment and divorce. Earned a promotion. Leadership liked how I managed personal disaster without letting it affect the mission.
Not dating yet. Need time. But I’m steady. House is peaceful. Kids are thriving. No more wondering what’s happening at home when I’m 7,000 miles away.
Kendra messaged last month:
