They had been enemies from the start.
Libitina Lee having grew up in an abusive home, her father always beating her and her mother, Dabria. Finally at the age of 7, Libitina had had enough and ran away into the secure grasp of Polly Gray.
John Shel...
I don't even know how to begin this letter to you. I hope everything over there isn't as bad of what we are hearing. I hope you and your brothers are all safe and alive, it's been so hard here with out you. I haven't gotten out of my bed unless it's been to get food or to go to the market to get more whiskey. Ada, Polly and Martha have been running the business, they are doing quite good. Polly and Ada want me to help out but if I'm being honest I don't have that energy. We all just need you boys home. Your kids are doing good too and Martha is so close in having your next one.
I know you probably can't write back soon but as soon as you can, please do, even if I won't be able to read it because of your messy handwriting.
I miss you so much Johnny, and I know I shouldn't but I do, I don't care if you don't feel the same but I will be waiting for you, like always, I won't leave this time.
Hi love, we are doing good here at the moment, Arthur and Tommy are still alive from what I am hearing, Tommy is doing a different job so it's just me and Arthur together at the moment but we've seen Tommy.
I'm so sorry it's taken this long to write and I can't even imagine how worried you have been.
I'm so sorry you've gone into that state of mind love, you don't deserve it, maybe helping the girls out with the business will keep your mind off of all this, I know it's horrible and I'm sorry.
I hope you get the rest you need to get out of this dark place your in, we will be home soon, sooner than you know it Lib. And of course I feel the same as you, I've loved you ever since you stepped foot into our home, with the bruises on you and you being very unclean from running to us, but ever since that day I have promised myself I would never let anyone do that to you again, no matter what.
In your next letter could you please send a photograph of yourself? I haven't been able to sleep with out seeing your face before I try to. I don't even care if its and old one love.
I'm so glad you've written back Johnny I started to worry, I bring bad news to you though and I'm so sorry you have to hear this through a letter.
Martha has given birth to a beautiful baby boy, Martha named him Harry, she said she hopes your happy with the name.
But sadly Johnny a few days later she passed away, we have no idea how or why. I'm so sorry for your loss and I completely understand if you don't write for a while.
Other than that everything's been okay, we've been doing alright with the shop, Finn has grown so much since you last saw him and is becoming a very fine gentleman, he's starting to act like you which is not good, I'm only joking.
I did what you asked and put a picture of me in this letter, I haven't changed much but I think I know you have which is scary. But I hope all of you are alive and well, we all miss you over here. Please come home in one piece.
Stay safe out there love.
All my love, Lib.
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Thank you for breaking the news about Martha to me, it's broken me quite a bit, the kids now don't have a mother and the younger ones probably won't remember me, please tell me you are looking after them and that they are staying with Aunt Pol. Please show Harry loads of pictures of me so when I get back he doesn't think I'm a stranger.
It's getting so bad out here, so many men are dying from both sides, men are getting ill but still fighting. At this point in time I have no clue if I will be coming home. I know it's horrible to say but with so many men dying no one is safe here anymore. I haven't seen Arthur or Tommy in a while so I'm alone, please tell me if they've written to say they are alive and well I'm scared shitless over here.
And thank you for the picture, you look beautiful as always and have grown up a bit, I'm starting to believe what you told me before I left, I won't be the same man if I come home, but I'll try to be.
We've been showing Harry many pictures of you and told him many stories and fond memories. I've been looking after Katie, George, Evelyn and Harry while Polly and Ada have been running the shop, they all miss you darling.
Hopefully this war will be over soon and you can come home to your kids and family.
You'll come home John, I promise even if you come back different you'll still be home.
Tommy and Arthur have written to Aunt Pol saying they are alive and well so you don't need to worry about them.
These are letters that the pair have sent to each other over the years of the war as I didn't want to write during the war but I still wanted you guys to know what was happening.
