Chapter 12, The Long Farewell Summary and Analysis

By the summer of 1990, Pelzer feels a real strain in his marriage. He also suffers an emotional time professionally, when the Blackbird, the refueling jet he has worked on, is retired. He joins another team, refueling the secretive jet, the Stealth. However, he now has more time at home, which adds to the stress.

After one episode of being away, Pelzer returns to find a credit card with a significant balance, in his name. Patsy claims Pelzer only cares about money; feeling ashamed, he apologizes. Patsy leaves, only to return home drunk for the first time since before Stephen was born.

In August of 1990, however, Pelzer is forced to put his worries about his marriage aside when he receives orders to deploy to Kuwait for Operation Desert Shield.

While stationed in the desert, Pelzer continues...