December 1983

Twenty year old Harm was smiling and laughing with his friends as they sat in the mess hall, talking about their plans for the holidays. Only one of those friends noticed that Harm's eyes were flat – they were missing their usual spark, the glint of fun and mischief.

Diane nudged her friend. "You okay there, Harm?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Harm replied.

"You don't fool me," Diane replied. "I'm a girl, remember? We knowthese things."

Harm smiled, and some of that old mischief came back. "You're a girl?! How'd you fool me for so long? I had no idea!"

"Don't I know it?" Diane rejoined, rolling her eyes. "You wouldn't know how to treat a girl if she was the last one on the earth."

"Oh yeah? Well, all I can say is, I'm glad you're not the last one on the earth."

Diane threw her head back and laughed. "Now that's better – there's the Harm I know."

"...And love, right? Because you know you love me."

Diane rolled her eyes again. "In your dreams, buster."

Jack Keeter interrupted their banter. "What are you two yakking about? And which one of you is coming home with me? You haven't lived until you've tasted my mother's Christmas feast."

"Not me, Keeter," Diane said. "My parents have planned a family reunion. Not exactly my idea of fun, but they can't wait to show off their 'future Naval officer'."

"Maybe it's for the best," Keeter joked, "you're so pretty that if you came home with me, all the girls would think I'm off the market. They'd never realize you're just one of the guys."

Diane sighed. "Quit calling me 'one of the guys', Keeter. You're worse than Harm." She looked over at Sturgis Turner, who was seated at the next table, leafing idly through a book. "You're the only gentleman around here, Sturgis," she called out.

Sturgis smiled. "You're right. I'm trying hard to teach these boys everything I know, but it's no easy task."

Keeter let out a groan. "Shut up, Sturgis." He returned his attention to Harm. "How about it, Rabb? Fancy a little Southern hospitality?"

"Not this time, Keeter."

"Going home to momma?"

"No."

"That's it – just 'no'?"

Diane cut in. "Cut it out, Keeter." She deftly changed the subject. "So who's going out with me tomorrow? We have to celebrate busting out of this place – even if it is just for a couple weeks."

Later, as they walked out of the mess hall, Diane gestured to Harm to hang back a little. "So, I guess you're going to the Vietnam Memorial," she said to Harm, her tone so low that only he could hear her.

Harm simply nodded.

"I wish I could go with you," Diane said. "I feel like I know your dad – you've told me so much about him... and I know that wherever he is, he misses you just as much as you miss him. Just know that I'll be thinking about you both on Christmas Eve."

Harm smiled. "That means a lot – more than you know, Diane."

"What are friends for? Merry Christmas, Harm."

"Merry Christmas, Diane."