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what?”
    â€œI don’t know. We could find somethin’ to get into.” Tirrell took Tasha’s hand and pulled her over to his lap. “You wanna go back to bed?”
    â€œI was thinkin’ we could do somethin’ that would require puttin’ some clothes on. How about goin’ down to Atlantic Station? Or we could go to a movie.”
    â€œI don’t feel like sittin’ in a theater for two hours. But we can go down to Atlantic Station if you want. And maybe we could stop by the Marriott on the way? I don’t wanna wait. I wanna surprise Noonie.”
    â€œOkay. Sure.”
    Tasha finished her coffee and got up to do the dishes. After polishing off a second helping, Tirrell dropped his empty plate into the sink full of suds, wrapped his arms around her from behind, and kissed her neck.
    â€œThat was good, baby.”
    â€œI’m glad you liked it.”
    â€œYou know what else I like.” He squeezed her butt cheeks and proceeded into the bedroom to get dressed.
    Tasha followed once she was done cleaning the kitchen.
    While he waited for her, he booted up her computer to check his e-mail. He waded through the obligatory spam messages, and then responded to a few correspondences from a couple of his buddies from Fort Bragg, asking how he was and filling him in on what was happening in the short time since he’d gone, including their impending deployments. He leaned back in the chair and rubbed his hand over his face. “Damn.”
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    Once they arrived at the downtown hotel, they pulled into the underground parking garage and walked into the service entrance. The basement bustled with energy. Housekeepers were running around with arms full of linen, and carts of toiletries, or pushing large tubs of dirty laundry toward big industrial washing machines. Tirrell caught the eye of a young girl who nearly tripped over her own feet looking at him.
    â€œCan you tell me where I can find Betty Ellis?”
    The lusty-eyed female smiled and pointed. “She down the hall. Take a left.”
    Tirrell nodded. “Thanks.”
    â€œâ€˜She down the hall,’” Tasha mocked.
    â€œJealous?” Tirrell teased.
    â€œHardly.”
    They continued up the hall and found his grandmother in her small office, seated at her desk, massaging her feet.
    Betty Ellis was a stout, down-to-earth woman with a pleasingly plump brown face and eyes that sparkled when she laughed. She was kind and fiercely loyal, but if crossed, she wasn’t one to hold her tongue. She’d been working as a housekeeper for twenty-nine years, and served as head of housekeeping for the last eight. Everybody respected her, and if they didn’t they kept it to themselves. In her position, she was more like a mother to the thirty-member morning crew, juggling work schedules, refereeing petty disagreements, and keeping a keen eye on inventory.
    When she spotted Tirrell at the door she slipped back into her shoes and stood up to greet him. “Oh, my Lord. Will you look a’here.” She threw her arms open and pulled him into her.
    His eyes misted in the comfort of her embrace.
    â€œWhen did you get back?”
    Tirrell checked his emotions. “Last night. I stayed at Tasha’s.”
    Betty squeezed Tasha’s hand. “How’re you doin’, sweetheart?”
    â€œI’m fine, Miss Betty. How are you?”
    â€œHangin’ on by a thread, girl. But God is good.” Betty turned back to Tirrell. “Baby, how long before you have to go back?”
    â€œI’ll be stickin’ around for a while.”
    â€œHow long is a while?”
    â€œA couple of months. I got leave. Is it okay if I stay with you?”
    â€œIs it okay?” Betty pulled him back into her. “Boy, I will beat your narrow behind if you even think about stayin’ anywhere else. It is so good to have you home.”
    â€œIt’s good to be home, Noonie.”