Page 77 of Lars

I got increasingly nervous every time I checked my laptop and didn’t see a message from her.

I’ll admit, worrying about not getting an email was pretty funny coming from a Special Forces operative who had been in over 40 gunfights.

But these were different stakes. I was used to risking my life. I was not used to being this far gone over a woman and not hearing from her.

I would be lying if I said I didn’t worry that she’d simply stopped emailing me… that she’d grown tired of our interactions and ghosted me.

But mostly, I was worried that something had happened to her.

I wrote her a couple times when my worry for her became too intense.

Hey Rachel,

Just checking in. You okay?

Lars

No reply.

I even emailed her previous account as a sort of ‘Hail Mary,’ hoping she would respond.

Finally, on Day 15, I got a reply from a completely new email address.

Lars,

I’m so sorry I couldn’t contact you sooner. I just got back in town 2 hours ago.

My trip was hell… but it’s over, and I’m back home safe.

I thought about you the entire time I was away.

In fact, I repeatedly told myself, ‘I HAVE to get back…Lars is counting on me.’

Maybe it was silly, but it got me through some rough nights.

I hope you’re doing well.

Love,

Rachel

I stared at the screen.

There were so many things packed into that one short email –

But the most important by far was the closing:

‘Love, Rachel.’

I reread her message about a hundred times.

When I typed out my reply, I couldn’t stop grinning.

Rachel,

I’m so glad you’re home safe.

Thank you for letting me know as soon as you could.

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