Word: droving
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...drove into the desert. Seven of Mirwali's soldiers lead the way, packed into a silver 4x4; five in the cabin, two in the back with a dozen rocket propelled grenades and two PK light machine guns. There is no trail across the vast, rocky plains, just tire tracks splicing in and out of a weave heading north. For almost three hours and 40 miles we followed the mujahedin through choking dust. Rows of mountain ridges rose on the horizon like broken witches' teeth. From time to time we came to tiny settlements; the houses sealed behind mud brick walls...
...morning of Sept. 11, Mike and E.J. drove into Manhattan together from their Staten Island home after Mike picked up bagels and cream cheese for the firehouse. "You're buying the guys breakfast and you don't even buy it for your own wife," she teased in the car. Shortly after 7 a.m., he dropped her off at the downtown Manhattan radiologist whom she assists. She gave Mike a quick peck on the cheek...
...first afternoon off, he found himself with a sudden case of vertigo as he drove over the Verrazano Narrows Bridge to Staten Island. He floored the gas and looked straight ahead. At his father's house, he reunited with E.J. Racked with worry and relief, and vomiting from a migraine, she went straight...
...woke up and told E.J. he couldn't face going to work. He had often scoffed with his co-workers about the emotional help the department had been offering, but on this day he scheduled an appointment with a counselor to request a medical leave. His best friend Rob drove him to the session. Mike answered the counselor's questions--Are you having trouble eating? No. Sleeping? Sometimes--but he didn't volunteer any information. Still, he left feeling a little lighter and carrying explicit instructions to take a vacation with his wife...
...78th day after the attacks, Mike broached the topic of Sept. 11 with E.J. He was still on medical leave, but they drove into Manhattan for a dinner for the families of Ladder 11. The two were sitting in a bar in Alphabet City when Mike suddenly leaned in. "I just don't know what I'm supposed to be feeling about all of this," he told her. "I think I'm supposed to be feeling guilty, but I actually am thankful to be alive." And then he abruptly stopped talking...