Page 2 of For Every Letter

Smuggler’s Hideaway

October 1 st

Hi Ben!

Oh, my mermaid! I am soooo embarrassed. I knew my sister was messing around with me when she signed me up for this military pen pal thing, but I never thought you wouldn’t want to receive my letters.

I feel like Margaret Hale on her wedding night. Poor Margaret was in love with the pirate Black Jack but her father didn’t approve (I can’t really blame him. My dad would lose his ever-loving mind if I fell for a pirate) and forced her to marry some rich dude who didn’t want her. Black Jack kidnapped her but then she ended up dying and he disappeared. Legend has it she still haunts the Smuggler’s Grotto to this day, waiting for her lover to come back for her.

And now I sound like a lovesick woman who’s been cast aside by a pirate. I grew up in Smuggler’s Hideaway. I know better than to fall for a pirate. What I’m trying to say (now do you get why my sisters call me a motormouth?) is I totally understand if you never want to hear from me again. It’d be your loss since I’m really cool and lots of fun, but I understand.

You’re probably out there fighting terrorists and getting sand in places sand should never go. I live on an island with more beaches than people. I get sand ending up in places it should have never been in the first place.

Anyway, just say the word if you want me to stop writing or just ignore me. But you should probably say the word – should we have a code word just in case? – because I’m really bad at getting hints.

Ask me about the time I showed up at a party I wasn’t invited to – with the most awesome charcuterie tray in the world! Wait. Don’t ask me. The story is nearly as embarrassing as this whole ‘I didn’t sign up to be your pen pal’ – situation. I’m thinking our code word should be Pirate Black. Thoughts? I bet you’re better at inventing code words, seeing as you’re a military hero.

I need to go. My night manager just arrived back at the motel and she’s been crying. I know why but I need to go pretend I don’t know why and interrogate her.

Until next time. Or not. Just say the code word!

Sadie

P.S. I’ve included a coffee loyalty card. A free coffee is all yours – all you have to do is write me back. And visit Smuggler’s Hideaway someday since I’m pretty sure an APO address isn’t a real place.

4

Sandbox

October 15 th

Dear Sadie,

Your sisters shouldn’t call you a motormouth. Even if – based on the two letters I’ve received from you – they might have a point. Just kidding. 😊

Feel free to keep writing. I’m enjoying your letters. Being in the sandbox can get pretty boring. (An APO address is all I can give you now.) Your letters made me laugh. (I have got to see this Grotto sometime.) Laughing’s the only thing that keeps me going sometimes.

By the way, Pirate Black sucks as a code word. A code word should be a word you can add to an everyday conversation. I’m not sure how to add Pirate Black to a normal conversation, although you managed to tell me a whole story about him without any prompting. 😂

The guys insist I ask you for a picture. Don’t feel obligated to send one, but I had to ask.

Take care,

Ben

5

Mermaid Motel

Smuggler’s Hideaway

November 1 st

Hi Ben!

I enclosed a picture, but if you laugh at it, I will hunt you down and put itching powder into all of your underwear. I don’t care that I don’t have the first clue where you are. I. Will. Find. You.

Just ask my brothers how good I am at finding people. They thought they could hide a party from me because I’m the ‘baby’. (Don’t ever call me baby or I’ll have to sic Sammy the seal on you.) Ha! Joke was on them when I showed up at the barn on the other side of the island and poured salt into everyone’s drinks.