Ashley is a graduate student, was raised reading poetry, and was a back-up singer in her best friend's band. So how is that she has a handsome Marine as her boyfriend? Cole does not fit her image of a military man. He's passionate, romantic, and writes poetry too. Their affair goes on for five years and survives four deployments. And then Ashley meets a college professor with professional pursuits and values that match hers and she begins to see what life would be like outside the shadow of war.
