My Heart Cries for Home

Dear Avery,

My shoes have melted. It's so hot here I could bake cookies on the sidewalk, if there was a sidewalk. We're surrounded by nothing but sand. Thank you for sending the Twinkies. It's been so long since we had a snack from home. I shared them with the guys. I miss you. I'd email you but the heat is messing up the wi-fi.

Briggs

Dear Briggs,

Are you OK? You haven't even sent an email in a month. I thought we were going to facetime yesterday. What happened? I got a job. I'm going to be a barista. Isn't that great? You know how much I love coffee. Please call me when you get a chance. Even a text. I need to know you're OK. Me and Jenny are going to the mall tomorrow. I'll need new clothes for my new job. We're going to get our nails done, too. I love you.

Love,

Avery

Dear Avery,

I miss you so much. I'm so tired of sand and heat. Can you send me new shoes? Johnson's wife sent freezer pops. Those are the best thing ever. Can you send some of those? It feels like the sun is trying to kill me. I'm sorry I haven't called. The heat messes with the wi-fi and I have no cell range out here. I can't say too much but we're pushing up to Iraq soon. Send freezer pops. I love you.

Briggs

Dear Briggs,

I haven't heard anything from you in months. I even called your mother to see if she's heard from you (big mistake). Call me! Are you even....alive? At least email me or text me. Something, please!

Love,

Avery

Dear Avery,

I really hate being apart from you. Did you get my last letter? My phone is full of sand now. It'll probably never work again. I'm so sorry I haven't been able to call you. Please remember I love you. I keep your picture with me at all times. I really, really miss you and home. What I wouldn't give for a nice home cooked meal. Mom's delicious spaghetti. I'm making myself hungry. One can only live on MREs for so long. When you get this letter please send shoes. My feet are getting blisters. Send freezer pops too, please. There's nothing as refreshing as a freezer pop in this scorching heat. Smith's supporter sent water balloons. We can't wait until our next day off so we can use them. I love you.

Briggs

Dear Briggs,

I wanted to tell you this in person or at least on facetime but how can I? I'm pregnant. There I told you.

Avery

Dear Avery,

I finally got my mail! I can't believe I'm going to be a father! Don't worry about anything. We'll get married as soon as I get back. I'm so excited. I hope it's a boy! I'd be happy with a girl too! It doesn't matter. I just can't believe we're going to be parents. The guys poured Gatorade on me when they found out I was going to be a father. The guys are goofy. Smith fell asleep and Johnson taped him to his cot. He couldn't get up. He had to use a knife to cut all of the tape. It was hilarious. I wish we had a video of it. Take care of yourself and our baby. Send freezer pops. I love you!

Briggs

Briggs,

I'm sorry. I don't know how to tell you this but here goes. I haven't heard from you in months and I just...I got so lonely....and your mother....I just...I'm just going to say it. I know this is a terrible time to do this but I met someone. I know I should have told you sooner but how can I when....I can never get ahold of you? The baby isn't yours. I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen. Your just so far away and Henry, he's here. He takes care of me. I just can't do the military life. It won't work for me. Henry is just...it's love. True love. He's my soulmate. I wish you all the best.

Avery

Avery,

Are you kidding me? Henry? How could you do this to me? I'm your soulmate! We promised to be together forever! I've only been gone a few months. I know it's hard but we can still make this work, can't we? How could you do this to me? I'm out here fighting for our country and your...why? Why am I not good enough for you? What am I supposed to do now? It hurts. My heart is so broken I can't even breathe. I can't believe you did this to me! With my own brother! I can't do this. I can't. I can't come home now. I can't bear to see you with him. I loved you with all of my heart. Why am I suddenly not good enough for you? It's not my fault I couldn't contact you. It's just the way it is. I made these sacrifices for my country. For us. I was going to go to college when I got out, remember? We planned a life together. I wanted to marry you. How could you? How can I come home now? I can't. I'll never see my country again. It will hurt more if I have to see you with my brother. Seeing you raise his child together. I can't. You've stabbed me deep in my heart. Why? Why did you do this to me? I can't go on like this. Now I have no one. Good-bye.

Briggs

Henry,

How could you do this to your brother? With that awful woman? She wasn't good enough for Briggs and she's not good enough for you. Your brother's dead! This wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for that horrible woman. He would have been focused. He wouldn't have stepped on that IED. I told him not to join the military. Nobody listens to me and now your brother is gone! This is all your fault! You and that awful woman. Don't come to the service. I never want to see you again. Your dead to me.

The woman who is no longer your mother