Summary

Back in Iraq, the platoon members are taking watch shifts and the fire that had been burning in the orchard is burning out. They’re resting from a battle and a runner from headquarters arrives with mail. Murph has received a letter, but there is nothing for Sterling, which upsets him.

The letter is from Murph’s girlfriend, telling him that she’s breaking up with him. Murph takes the news in stride, though he’s sad about it. He and Bartle talk, which makes Bartle think about home and the day after he’d enlisted, when he had to tell his mother.

Sterling overhears the conversation about Murph’s girlfriend and interjects that he would “kill a bitch” for breaking up with him. Murph says it isn’t his call to make anymore. Bartle reflects on the scene, wishing that Murph has been...