Harriet’s Date

Cory’s voice interrupted, ‘General McCullough, an urgent strategy meeting has been called. It starts in ten minutes. Your presence is required.’ ‘Uncle Hershel, I heard your aide,’ Harriet said, relieved. ‘You should go. I know how busy you are.’ Hershel sighed. ‘All right. I’ll call you another time, then.’ As the call ended, Harriet stared at her phone thoughtfully. When she was five, her parents were both killed on the battlefield. Uncle Hershel took her in and raised her as his own. He was never married and didn’t have any kids. Harriet called him Uncle, but saw him as a father figure. The bond between them eclipsed that of mere blood ties. She’d never questioned his guidance. Yet, should she follow Uncle Hershel’s advice unquestioningly? Elias was a good man, and she knew he respected Uncle Hershel as much as she did. But was that enough to make him a good husband for her? Harriet wrestled with the thought, then eventually drifted off to sleep. *** On day two of special training,