The pilot smiles as a bedraggled John Watson climbs aboard the plane with his kit. "Glad to be headed home, Captain?"
The army doctor mumbles something vaguely agreeable and sinks into his seat. (I'd be happier about going home if I knew what I was returning to.) Dad's letters have been odd lately; he's hiding something but John can't be sure what. All Harry will say is that they'll have much to discuss when he comes home. Harry's behaviour has been a bit off as well; about the time Dad began acting strangely, she quit drinking. (One less reason to worry about her, one more reason to worry about Dad.)
And then there's Genevieve. She's been discussing their future more and more lately, and she'll hit the ceiling when she finds out John wants to re-enlist. (I thought my second tour would get the war out of my system, but it didn't.) He'd rather stay in Afghanistan than face his girlfriend. If he weren't so concerned about Dad, he probably would.
John's greatest fear is coming home.