Peace Army Read Online Free PDF

the space as well as they could. It was late and he quietly peeked in on Eli, who slept in a closet-sized area that served as his bedroom.
    Eli was sleeping peacefully. He lay diagonally across the small bed and, as was his usual practice, his blanket was kicked off his small body. Grant readjusted the blanket and ran his fingers through the boy’s hair. He was careful not to wake the boy because, once awake, Eli would want to know all about his dad’s day, and Grant was tired. He could wait until morning to share more time with his son. These few minutes of silence and closeness were enough for now.
    Grant dragged himself into the space he and Avery had created for their bedroom. It was the one place in this new world where he really felt at home, and he let the feeling overtake him as he pulled off his boots and removed his olive drab coverall. The weight of his responsibilities almost disappeared for the first time all day. He lay down quietly, trying not to wake Avery, but she immediately stirred.
    “Hey there, handsome. What time is it?” she asked quietly.
    “Just a bit after midnight. Sorry to wake you.”
    “No, it’s fine. I’ve been waiting for you.”
    “Oh, yeah?” He reached out for her breast, suddenly not so tired. He found her shoulder instead and slipped his hand down to her back, pulling her closer. He nuzzled the top of her head. “And what did you have in mind?”
    She pulled her head back slightly and turned her face upward. He could not see her in the darkness, but knew she was looking into his eyes. Her ability to see in the dark was much better than his.
    “Just wanted to see how you’re doing,” she whispered knowingly.
    The tiredness returned and he rolled onto his back, all thoughts of intimacy forgotten. Grant knew she was worried about him. She had been encouraging him for months to slow down or take a break. She knew more than anyone how the constant pressures of planning and training for war were affecting him. She had been the one to point out his first gray hair—one that appeared on his chest, of all places.
    “About the same, hon. Things are really starting to pick up steam.”
    “Yeah, I heard. Your son came to me this afternoon, crying that he wasn’t able to see his favorite chess partner.”
    “Aw, dammit,” Grant groaned. “I’m sorry, Avery, I should have told you and Eli. I just got caught up with things.”
    Avery stroked his face. “It’s okay, I understand,” she spoke gently. And she did understand, Grant knew. She was good that way. “I spoke to Tane and he told me what happened. I can’t say I’m surprised, though. Treel is a Minith soldier.”
    “Well, then, that makes two of us. I just wish Eli understood.”
    “Maybe you can try to explain it to him tomorrow,” Avery replied. “I didn’t go into it much with him this afternoon. He’s just a little boy, and all he knows is that he just lost his best friend. You know that’s what Treel is to him, right?”
    “Yeah, I guess,” Grant acknowledged. “It’s a sad day when a five-year-old’s best friend is a seven-and-a-half-foot-tall green alien whose entire race wants to turn you into a slave. Why can’t he have friends his own race, size, and age?”
    “You know why, Grant,” Avery explained, though they already knew. “Most five-year-olds are not like our little boy. He’s too much like his father and twice as smart, to boot.” She poked him in the ribs with the last comment and laughed.
    “Hey, I’m smart too,” Grant joked back, laughing. “And what’s the matter with him being like his old man, anyway?”
    “Well, you got the ‘old’ part right.” Avery was giggling now. “Find any more gray hairs today?”
    “Woman, that’s just not right, making fun of my gray hair.” Grant sat up and flexed his biceps. “Anyone else around here have arms like these? Huh?”
    “Oh, you’re still the best-looking specimen of manhood around, Grant. A little gray hair isn’t going