Page 10 of For Every Letter

On a side note, I am seriously pissed you wouldn’t tell me where your parents live. I promise I won’t cause them bodily harm. A little pranking never hurt anyone 😉

The nurses told me – after I bribed them with more cookies – that you were transferred to a rehab facility. I’m tempted to follow you there. I want you to have someone by your side cheering you on.

But after talking nearly all night long with you last night, I’ve come to realize that you prefer to recover on your own. I respect your decision. But say the word and I’ll be there. Seriously, you have my phone number now. If you need me for anything – a word of encouragement, someone to whine to, a rub down. 😉 – I’ll be there.

I will always be there for you. Because I am in this, soldier boy. You’re falling for me, I’m falling for you – nothing can keep me away from you.

In case it’s not obvious yet, I don’t want to be your platonic sister. I don’t want to settle for forehead kisses – although I do love a forehead kiss – I want it all. I want to explore whatever this connection is between us.

I know your time to re-up (Is that the word?) is nearly here. I want you to know I’ll support you no matter what you decide. If you want to stay in the Army for another twenty years, I’ll wait. I’ll probably need to take a class on how to be patient, but I’ll wait. Because you’re worth waiting for. You’re worth everything, Ben.

The nurses are giving me looks. They feel sorry for me. They think you abandoned me. I know you didn’t. And you never would.

But I do need to get this letter sent since my ride will be here in a few minutes. I’m going back to Smuggler’s Hideaway. I can’t wait for you to visit. (Or move there – hint hint)

Be safe Ben,

Your Sadie

20

Rehab Center

Stateside

June 15 th

My dearest Sadie,

Thank you for understanding my need to go through therapy alone. Please know that if there was anyone I would want to be by my side, it would be you.

Therapy was hell, except I’m now the reigning Sock Slide Champion. The rehab center floors were slick as hell and those hospital socks with little dots on them do not have enough grip. I don’t care how many times the therapist claims they do. She finally gave up trying to convince me when I slid down the hallway straight past the nurse’s station and into the supply closet. I swear it wasn’t intentional (although I may have been trying to prove a point). I expect my gold medal any day now.

Therapy is finished. I’ve been cleared for active duty. I’m shipping out in a few hours. I tried to call you to say goodbye but you didn’t answer your phone. I left you a message.

Thank you for waiting for me. I can’t begin to explain how much it means to me. But if you ever change your mind, let me know. I don’t want you to stay with me out of some feeling of obligation.

I wish I could hear your voice one more time before I leave stateside. I love how I can hear your smile in your voice. I love your giggle. I love your enthusiasm. You’re a bright spot on my horizon.

Take care Sadie,

Love, Your Ben

PS I enclosed a set of dog tags. They’re a copy of mine since I need mine where I’m going, but I thought you might like to wear these as a reminder of me.

21

Mermaid Motel

Smuggler’s Hideaway

July 1 st

Dear Ben,

I’m not waiting for you out of some sort of weird obligation, you big doofus! I’m waiting for you because I want to. Because I want you. And you’re worth waiting for. Don’t say I feel obligated again or I won’t give you the gold medal I had made for you for winning the Sock Slide Championships. (Are there pictures? Please say there are pictures!)

I arrived back at Smuggler’s Hideaway straight into chaos. It’s Mermaid Karaoke Season, which means the island is packed to the brim with tourists. Mermaids trying to hook a smuggler and smugglers trying to bang a mermaid. Thank goodness the local billionaire and the local football hero are in committed relationships. There are only so many times I can lead a mermaid astray as to where a former football god is before they catch onto how unhelpful I’m being.