6
JUSTIN
Mail call has suddenly become my favorite day of the week. I finally have something to look forward to, other than the day we finally get to head home. The guys give me a tough time about how excited I am for mail call every week, but I don’t give a shit. Having a letter from home is something to be cherished. Speaking of, it’s time to get my butt in gear and head over to the mess hall.
“Here comes LT, just like a kid on Christmas.” Cowboy’s draw catches my attention as I enter the chow hall.
My good mood immediately evaporates. “Can the shit, Cowboy. I’m just making sure your asses aren’t causing any more trouble than usual.”
“You say that almost every week, and every week you leave here with a shit-eating grin on your face,” Hard-On pipes in from his seat next to Cowboy.
I’ve been with these two the longest so they can tell my mood swings better than most. I should just confide in them, tell them about my letters with Becca. But that feels like I am ruining what we have. The guys ribbing me is one thing, but once the lewd comments begin about Becca, all bets will be off.
“Has the mail come yet?” I ask, taking a seat on the other side of Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb.
“Yup, come and gone,” Cowboy says with a sinister smile on his face. Whatever he is up to can’t be good, but I’m not going to play into it. At least not right now, he will turn over whatever he has eventually. If it was Brass or Hard-On, it would be another story.
“Alright, I’m headed to the gym. Keep your asses out of trouble for a little while please.” I get up from my seat and head out of the mess hall.
I feel like ripping the skin off my arms, wondering whether Cowboy has something for me from Becca or not. Just as I’m finished changing into workout gear, Cowboy saunters into the bunk room.
“You may have left this behind when you left.” He holds out a small envelope for me.
“You’re an ass, you know that?”
“No, I saved your ass from having to fight Hard-On for it. You can thank me later.” Cowboy and I share a look before he turns to head back out. He’s right, but I’ll never admit it. I can’t wait any longer to find out what Becca has to say this time.
Justin,
I hope you’re doing okay, thank you for your letter. It made me smile. I am not used to having someone, other than my three-year-old, to talk to. I just started her at a day care center this week, so hopefully she can make some friends, heck maybe I may make some too. Gosh, that is so pathetic when you write it down, no friends.
Being a CNA means the hours are long, and Olivia spends more time away from me than I would like, but that’s what it takes right now. I focus on her and getting her as much time with her as I can. My number one priority is making sure she is happy and taken care of. She’s the light of my life. I don’t know what I was doing before her. She’s such a sassy little thing but so funny and so sweet.
I’m sure you don’t want to hear about my kid while you’re off saving the world. There’s not a lot to know. I grew up in Texas, so I like country music, BBQ, and a cold beer on the beach with a bonfire. I like dogs, trucks, and flip-flops. I’ve always wanted to be an illustrator for graphic novels, to be the one that brings the words to life. I was even going to school for drawing and design when I got pregnant. I got to meet Stan Lee once! It was amazing! He’s the most brilliant man I’ve ever met and super down to earth.
How about you? Where are you from? Why did you join the Navy? What made you want to be a SEAL?
I’m enjoying this experience with a pen pal more than I thought I would.
Talk to you soon,
Becca
I don’t waste any time, I grab a piece of paper and write her back. I can’t wait to answer her questions and find out more about her. This small connection to the outside world is beginning to mean everything to me.
BECCA
Justin and I have been writing back and forth, just the usual mundane questions, but suddenly I want to tell him more. I start opening up about what I wanted to do before Olivia was born, more than the surface information you give to someone you aren’t too sure about.
For some reason, I feel like I can trust Justin. I know it seems crazy; if I was to ask anyone, it would be highly out of character for me. Trusting others never comes easily for me, but with Justin, it’s been different. He seems sincere in his desire to know all about Livie and me. Little by little, the walls I keep around myself are crumbling down. I just hope that I can stop the ones from crumbling around my heart as well.
“Momma, eck the ail!” Olivia squeals as I park the car. It has become part of our nightly routine to check the mail and see if we have a new letter from Justin. I am not sure how comfortable I am at how excited she has become to see a letter come through from him, but ...
Becca:
BBQ, beer, and bonfires on the beach? Well, buckle up buttercup, the team and their significant others do that at least once a month when we’re home. We live in the perfect place for it, right? Plus, we’re all stationed on Coronado Island and the beach is basically across the street from us. If you ever want to join us, you will be welcome.
You’re an artist? That’s awesome! What’s your favorite thing to draw? What’s your favorite comic? Marvel or DC? If you could work with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
I’m originally from the middle of nowhere in Iowa. I decided I wanted to be a SEAL when I was in high school. We had a guy come and talk to our school about life in the military, programs that were available to go to college, things like that. He was a Navy SEAL. I talked to him afterward, just one on one, and he told me some stories of stuff he had done. I was in love. I decided right then and there that that was what I was going to do.
I’m not sure when I will be able to send you another letter, the team is heading out for a while. But as soon as I get back, I’ll send you one.
I’ll talk to you soon.
Justin
My heart plummets at the thought of him going on a mission again, but I won’t let my fears get the best of me. Justin needs a friend, a cheerleader to help him stay positive in a war zone. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding, I need to write him back quickly. I hope he gets it before he leaves.