Chapter 13 - Naomi Returns to a Uniform
Months later, Naomi received notice that her military record would
receive formal reconsideration.
The process was slow.
Technical experts authenticated portions of Richard’s archived server
data.
Former personnel were interviewed.
Old records were compared.
Eventually, the damaging administrative conclusion tied to the disputed
route authorization was corrected.
It did not restore seven years.
It did not bring Mateo back.
Naomi stood alone when she read the decision.
Then someone knocked.
Whitaker.
He carried a small garment bag.
Inside was Naomi’s old dress uniform.
She had given it to him years earlier because she could not bear to keep
it.
“I thought you might want this back.”
Naomi touched the fabric.
“I’m not that person anymore.”
Whitaker smiled.
“No.”
May you like
He handed it to her.
“You’re the person who survived being told she wasn’t.”
