"I was in school," she snaps. "And about to turn legal adult, shithead, so you can stop condescending to me anytime. I didn't much fancy a soldier's life and I know damn well how the fucking civvies get treated, so yeah, I decided to say fuck all that shit and go do something that wouldn't make me feel dirty for existing. What a concept, right?"

She scowls at the ground. "I coulda dumped your ass and left you to die, pops, but see, you're important to my girl. So you get to be my deadweight instead, and you know what? I hate your guts but I will still take a fucking bullet for you if I gotta, so I'd really like it if you'd shut the fuck up with the growly jackass routine to the girl sticking her neck on the line for you. Just because I'm looking out for you doesn't mean I won't punch you in the fucking mouth if you start trying to play papa bear to me too."