Letters Overseas

Chapter 1

My name is Kayleigh and I'm a Therapist for wounded soldiers. Never been married. No boyfriends. I left New Orleans and I graduated from UNC 4 years ago and it's been work work work. No life. Thankful for my best friend Sam who is my roommate. If I didn't have him I'd probably go crazy. You see when I was 2 my daddy died in a helicopter crash in Iraq so momma raised me along with a string of boyfriends my entire life. I don't remember my dad only for the one photo I have of us. My momma threw away all his things along time ago.  Blamed me for him dying. "Kayleigh if you had not been your father would have never joined the army".
You ruined my life. Blah blah. Hazel Harper is a bitch.

Things that was said to me my entire life. Being treated like a maid in my own home. Mother pranced around with dozens of men. Some were nice and others were not. The only thing I did right was make sure my studies were done and I had a job as early as I could. Locking my door at night and making sure my windows were locked. One time I forgot and let's just say that "boyfriend of my mothers" is in jail.

When I left New Orleans Sam followed. He's been my friend since 10th grade. His parents are the best. They took care of me my senior year when momma ran off with husband number 3 without telling me. I already had a job waitressing and working at the PT clinic down the street so I was able to buy the things I needed the Collins family supplied the roof over my head and warm meals.

Wilmington NC is where I live now. After graduation I found a building and was perfect walking distance to the boardwalk. Great scenery and a great place to live and bought it with my money from the US Army from my daddy. I know 25 saying daddy is a little unorthodox, but that's how I'll always remember him. The only family I ever had. I haven't spoken to momma since I left New Orleans at 18.

I'd say I live a good life. I own my own 4 bedroom house and Sam rents his room downstairs which is the grand master room of the house. I stay in the Master Suite upstairs along with the two guests rooms. And a third bathroom in the hall. It has a media room in the basement we use when we invite people over. My favorite view is the porch. I bought this house for my future. If I ever have one.

I've always been drawn to the military. Volunteering whenever I can and helping the veterans I see at my clinic.  Makes me feel close to the only person who ever loved me. In college I tried dating, but with my work ethic and introverted personality it just wasn't going to work.

My long blonde hair and blue eyes on my 5'3 stature I'm the golden woman right. Wrong. Apparently having beauty and brains isn't an attractive quality for most men. Not that I've found any that interest me. I want to find that man who can grab my attention without a word. Someone spontaneous and a great sense of humor. Being from the south my humor is a tad bit raunchy. Someone who is established and won't make me a sugar momma.

Hey Sam I'm home. Hey in here. It's Friday you have any plans? Not tonight. A few of my clients are having a party and I was invited. Wanna be my date. You had me at party. Let's get ready. I thrown on some skinny jeans and crop top with my keds. And we are out the door.

Arriving at Sgt. Brown's house And everyone is around back. So we walk through the gate. Hey guys! I brought my friend Sam. Sam meet everyone. Sgt. Brown is grilling and we have Private Johnson and Private Greer. Major Sloan is late as usual. She probably had to tell her husband to watch the kids.

Sgt - hey Leigh I heard you are always looking to find new ways to help soldiers. A friend of mine set up a webpage and it's for the soldiers overseas who don't have letters coming in you can write them.

Leigh - id like that. I'd love to make someone's day. Give me the webpage and I'll look at it tonight.

Sam - ohh you going to find you a military man chere. Fall in love and have little military babies.

Leigh - nah. Maybe a smile or two and a pen pal.

Major - girl. Those guys would be falling over you if they ever knew what you looked like. Marriage proposals coming right up

Leigh - y'all are awful. Friends. Pff okay.

Sgt - I think you will enjoy it. I know you hear all our stories when we come to the clinic, but to be able to lift someone's spirits before they come home. Now that would be something wouldn't it

Leigh - alright. SOLD to the civilian single woman in the house

Sam - whatever I'm a single lady waiting for my man

Leigh - maybe you can find you a sugar daddy Sam. You'd be a great house wife

Sam - you right chere. I take care of your ratchet ass

As the conversations continue Greer is staring at me. Not an uncomfortable stare just one that I can feel.

Greer - hey Leigh

Leigh - hey. What's up

Greer - um. Do you want to grab lunch one day

Leigh - I'm sorry Greer. I can't date my patients. Thanks for the offer you are a sweet guy. I just can't have anything, but a platonic relationship with you.

Greer - alright cool. So I'll see you Tuesday at therapy then.

Leigh - night

Sitting alone that night in my bed I can't stop thinking about this webpage. Do all these soldiers really have no one that writes them. I couldn't imagine being overseas and not having anyone. I guess I can relate because other than Sam I'm alone as well. Who even puts these soldiers on the web page I wonder.

30 minutes later and I'm staring at a few names of people i want to write. One name keeps catching my eye Sgt. Ethan Pierre 28 from Mobile Alabama. Doesn't give any information other than the mailing address to the unit he is stationed at in Afghanistan.
I write down his information and take out some paper. Well here goes nothing.