The telephone was off and she was not sitting in front of the television.

She had no idea an Army major had opened fire at Ft. Hood, killing at least 13 and wounding 30 others just blocks from her husband’s workplace.

“I woke up around 5 p.m.,” she said, “and I remember thinking, ‘Where is he? He should be home by now.’ ”

Spc. Dexter normally works as a second shift baker at the sprawling base. But this week, he had been reporting at noon — more than four hours early — as his facility prepared for a special event and upcoming Thanksgiving meals.

Mrs. Dexter, a former Bellefontaine student and a graduate of West Liberty-Salem High School, said her husband thought he would be home early and he encouraged her to take a nap as he gave her a quick peck goodbye.

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