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“I sent care packages to troops overseas with my friends in high school,” she offered. “It was for a project during my senior year.”
“Oh, yeah? What kinds of stuff did you put in them?”
“All kinds of things,” she said, a blinding smile on her face. “It was great. We sent necessities, like sunblock, lip balm, lotion—unscented, of course.”
“Of course,” I said with a laugh.
“We also sent new boot socks, since they said they often got holes in the heels.”
I nodded. “Yeah, that’s true.”
“Oh, and those cheap flip-flops.”
“You sent shower shoes? That’s smart.”
“You actually call themshower shoes?”
“Yep. We’re only authorized to wear those cheap ones in the shower or to the pool. If you’re going to wear sandals, they have to be the leather ones that look nicer, you know?”
“Huh. Well, we sent a whole box of those cheap ones in a few different sizes since we were told they get gross over time. I just thought it was because of all the dirt.”
“Yeah, the showers get pretty grimy, and the dirt has a lot to do with it. I’m sure those guys were glad for replacements. What else did you send?”
“Stationery was apparently big on their list. Lots of paper, pens, pencils…”
“Ink sticks, lead sticks…” I said with a quick grin.
“Really? You guys have your own language.”
“We do.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “We also sent flashlights. Do you have a special name for them?”
“Moonbeams.”
“You’re making that up,” she accused, pointing a finger at me.
“I am not. I swear.”
“Tell me more,” she urged, looking downright fascinated.
I looked up to think about it, counting on my fingers. “Sneakers are go-fasters. Underwear are skivvies. Glasses are portholes. The bathroom is the head. A bed is a rack. I could go on for days.”
“Wow. I love it.”
“Hey, don’t look too excited about it. You don’t want to date a Marine, remember?”
A faint blush colored her cheeks, and she looked away, hiding a smile.
Then the music started, and we all looked around. It was time for the ceremony to begin. Which was a bummer, because just like I could go on for days listing our vocabulary, I could also go on for days talking to Hattie.
But unfortunately, we only had tonight.
4
HATTIE
“That was quick,” Thatcher said, rising from the white folding chair beside mine.
