The next morning, Jolene and Michael go to Mila’s house to tell her, Betsy, and Lulu of Jolene’s deployment. Lulu struggles to understand, but Betsy says she will never forgive her if she leaves. She says she hates Jolene and leaves the room. Jolene follows her and tries to explain that refusing to go would make her a coward. Betsy says she needs Jolene, and Jolene promises to write and call often. In the living room, Mila tells Michael about her experience as a girl living in Greece during World War II.

Monday morning, Tami and Jolene meet with their unit, noticing that the young soldiers are the only people excited about going to war. Jolene meets with Captain Reynolds about the details of her deployment and signs a paper outlining her family plan and funeral arrangements. The captain tells her to write goodbye letters to her loved ones in case something happens to her.

Over the next two weeks, Jolene readies her house and family for her year-long absence and logs many flight hours with her crew. When Jolene tries to talk to Michael, he withdraws until she gives up. Jolene enters her house one night after work and sees Mila cleaning up after dinner.