Page 8 of For Every Letter

Take care,

Ben

15

Mermaid Motel

Smuggler’s Hideaway

April 1 st

Dear Ben,

I’m really sorry if I upset you or overstepped my boundaries by confessing my feelings. I’m not great with boundaries. In my defense, it’s hard to learn boundaries when you grow up in a small town on a small island where everyone knows everyone’s business.

I’ll understand if you don’t want to be pen pals by mistake anymore. I’ll be upset and probably eat at least a dozen baked peaches and cream whiskey muffins from Pirates Pastries but I’ll understand.

I might also get drunk on moonshine and sing lovesick songs at karaoke at the Rumrunner while intermittently shouting obscenities about men and how they’re more complicated than women.

You could prevent this very embarrassing scene by writing back and letting me know we’re okay. You don’t have to tell me what’s going on with your military stuff. Let’s face it. I wouldn’t understand it anyway. I bought a book on military jargon and it’s currently doing duty as a doorstop.

Again, I’m really really really sorry if I upset you or crossed a line. I promise to never bring up icky feelings again if you say the code word.

Be safe,

Sadie

P.S. I included some fun stickers from Smuggler’s Hideaway in case you need some cheering up.

16

Hospital Stateside

April 15 th

Dear Sadie,

You didn’t do anything wrong. You didn’t cross a line or jump over a boundary without a passport or blow through a military checkpoint. You did nothing wrong. You’re perfect. I admit I was a bit shocked by your confession that you’re falling for me. But it’s not why my last letter was brief. (Or not the only reason, at least.)

There really was a lot of shit happening. In fact, I got injured. Shot to be exact. But not in the ass so my ‘shot in the ass’ cherry is still intact.

I’m holed up in a hospital stateside, bored out of my mind while I get fixed up. When did television shows get this bad? How many reality TV shows does the world need? I swear, if I see one more show about baking or renovating a house, I’m going to lose my mind. I’m sharing a room with another injured soldier and he loves this shit. I’m motivated to get better so I can strangle him in his sleep.

Oh crap. The torture therapist is here. I thought sitting out in the hot desert waiting for insurgents to arrive was torture. I was wrong. Physical therapy is torture.

Take care Sadie,

Your Ben

17

Hospital Waiting Room

May 1 st

Dear Ben,

I’m writing this letter from the hospital waiting room since you won’t let me into your room. Why, Ben? Why? I flew here to see you.