“Come on, Richlin,” Cat says with a groan. “Cut the humble act, we have important business to deal with.” At that she produces an almost-full bottle of brandy. “It’s a damn celebration, whether you like it or not.”
“They’re talking about making me a sergeant,” Rio says wonderingly.
“About time,” Jack says.
Cat uncorks the bottle, which wakes Geer, who in turn smacks Stick on his back. “Come on, Stick, we’re drinking.”
They pass the bottle solemnly, like a ritual, like some parody of holy communion. Cat, Pang, Geer, Jack, Jenou, Beebee, and a sleepy but smiling Stick.
“They’re sending me out early. I guess you all follow later,” Rio says.
“We hate to lose you,” Stick says sincerely. “Even just for a while.”
“They can’t force me to take a promotion, can they?”
“Well,” Geer drawls. “They can force you to leave your home and come wallow like a hog in the mud of Italy, so I’m guessing they can force you to do whatever the hell they like.”
There’s a bit of teasing after that, various members of the squad competing to come up with examples of how much better it’ll be once Rio is gone.
Won’t have to listen to her bitching about SOS.
You know those sneaky farts no one admits to? That’s Richlin.
Who’s going to steal all my smokes once Richlin’s gone?
Eventually it’s just Rio and Jenou, and they leave the smoke-filled tent for fresh air.
“Whoa,” Jenou says. “Are those stars?”
“Yeah, shocked me too.”
“You know, Rio, chances are you won’t end up back with us.”
Rio shakes her head. “I won’t let that happen.”
Jenou laughs. “I’m not sure a little tin star on your chest will give you godlike powers, Rio.”
“I’ll do my damnedest,” Rio protests. “I’ll refuse to fight.”
“Honey, don’t be a fool. You’re going to be the first woman ever—ever—to earn the Silver Star; they’re not going to send you back to the line. They’ll trot you around like a show horse for the newspapers and the cameras and probably have you giving speeches and sleeping in fancy hotels, ordering up steak and lobster.”
Rio takes a step back. “That’s bull.”
Jenou sighs and shakes her head. “Well, maybe not, I don’t know. But we better face up to the fact that this may be good-bye, at least until the war is over.”
“No!” Rio cries. “No, that’s not right, that’s nuts. We’re in this together. You and me, Jen.”
“Sweetie, all we’ve done is get on each other’s nerves.”
“Fug that, we can get on each other’s nerves and still be friends, can’t we?”
“I don’t know.”
That answer cuts Rio like a knife.
Jenou sees her reaction and squeezes her hand. “You’re a genuine, certified, grade-A hero now, Rio. Me? I’m just a plain old dog-faced soldier.” She takes a beat before adding, “Well, a very pretty dog-faced soldier.”
“You’re my friend, Jen,” Rio says, urgently returning Jenou’s pressure on her hand. “You have to always be my friend.”