Excerpt from War and Roses
Nine months ago…
Somewhere in the Middle East
Jacob
I open the box with my name on it and I'm kinda confused. It's been a while since my sister, Selina, has sent me anything. She hasn't had time with trying to work long hours to help pay for our dad's medical treatments. I don't recognize the return address.
When I get it opened all the way, I can see all kinds of snacks and candy in the box, but what grabs my attention is the letter on top.
Dear Jacob,
You don't know me. Obviously. My name is Bethany and I live in Texas. I got your name and address through a Mail the Military thing my local library was sponsoring. I don't even know if this will get to you.
Anyway, the program talked about how some soldiers rarely get mail and that sometimes even an unknown voice from home can improve morale. So here I am, hoping to lift your spirits.
I'm not even sure what to write because I've never actually had a pen-pal before. I guess I'll just tell you a little about myself.
I'm a twenty-something, read-a-holic and I work at a local florist. My boss is my best friend. Um, I love animals, but can't have any at my current apartment. I'd love to have a big dog and a few floppy cats that love to lay on my books while I'm trying to read around their fur.
I've lived in Texas my entire life and have never traveled outside of the States. In fact, I don't even have a passport. Wow, I sound super boring, which I guess I kinda am. I'm a small-town girl. Sand Dollar, that's my town, is right on the beach. There is nothing better than watching the sun rise or set over the water.
I love my friends and my family. I love to cook and bake and eat–which I probably shouldn't admit because I'm a woman and we're supposed to be afraid of calories–but it's the truth. Whatever. Life is too short, and chocolate is too damn tasty. Also chips and queso.
I'm sending a small care package. Since I don't know you, I didn't know what you'd like so I sent some of my favorites. I hope you enjoy them. I hope you're safe. And I hope you'll write back, but obviously you're super busy over there keeping the rest of us safe so if you can't, I totally understand.
Take care,
Bethany Lucas
I read her letter again. Two more times before I dig into the box. Then I'm yelling at one of my buddies for some paper and a pen so I can write her back. Because there's something about her letter that calls to me. It's hard to explain, especially since I don't really understand it myself.
I just know that when I read her letter, I felt warm, yet giddy, all over. Kinda like how I felt as a kid on Christmas morning going down the stairs to see what Santa left me. It's like hope and the best kind of expectation all rolled together.
Dear Bethany,
I loved your letter. Frankly, it came at a perfect time. I've had a shit day and you made me laugh.
Thanks so much for writing. And thanks extra for the care package. We obviously have a lot in common because Twizzlers are my favorite. And I love Tootsie Pops as well. We're clearly meant to be friends.
I'll do the same and tell you a little about myself. So you already know that I'm Jacob and I'm in the Army. I'm serving overseas–can't actually tell you where–but I am safe. I'm originally from Oregon. Syn City technically (it’s kinda like Vegas), but my sister and my best friend live in Cherry Falls which is a small town. Maybe it's similar to the one where you live in Texas.
I actually have a buddy from Texas. He left active service a while back, works for some security firm or something down there. I mean, I realize Texas is a massive state so it's not like you'd know him. Now, I'm just rambling.
Speaking of, if you do write back, do you think you'd want to do it in email? That would be faster. I mean, I love the care packages, but I'd love to hear back from you quicker than the mail can travel. If you want, here's my email.
Ja***************@ua****.gov
Now we're not strangers anymore.
Jacob
It would take another couple of months before Bethany took me up on my offer for emails. So we wrote back and forth longhand. Waiting for her letters was agonizing. By the time I got her first email, I was pretty sure I was in love with her.
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