Did you miss me

Part 4: "I promise you Buck"

I sat amongst the dark, soft, brown couch as I watch joy and happiness go across Winnifred and Bucky's faces while Rebecca was opening her gifts. She unwrapped the red gift, "Just what I wanted! Thank you mother!" Says Rebecca. "Of course my dear," replied Winnifred. In the gift was the newest toy legos that Rebecca was reading about in the newspaper. Ever since Rebecca was 10 she wanted to be an engineer, 9 years later she still is holding on to that dream.

"Open my gift for you Maria," implies Bucky. "Oh you really didn't have to get me anything..." I say. "No, no I haven't seen you in over and year and I wanted to give you this." I open the white box with red ribbon, I am in awe. "It's the hat!" The hat as in the one he wore all the time and wouldn't ever let me wear but I always wanted too. "Thank you Bucky, I will wear this everyday," I laugh.

A couple hours later we had to bring Rebecca back upstairs very carefully after watching the snow fall. Rebecca started to get very warm and red. The coughing was repeating over and over again. Rebecca eventually fell asleep. I left Bucky alone with his sister so he could have a moment with her. I could hear him whispering, "My sister, I'm sorry if I have not been good too you. I have tried my hardest but I want you to know that you don't have to try. You are the best sister I could have. Please, please get better you have so much more of a life ahead of you."

Looking down at my feet I sit and wait on the couch. Bucky comes down the stairs with a deprived look on his face. He comes and sits next to me placing his warm hand on top of mine. "I got so quiet earlier in the cafe because I was thinking about what you told me, about the tree." Bucky says. "What tree? Oh yeah that tree... why were you thinking about it?" I questioned. "I was just praying that I will hopefully never be on that tree." Bucky answers. I become as silent as a mouse. "Bucky look at me, I promise I will never, ever let that happen!" I pull him in for a tight hug.

     Bucky and I continue talking about how the last year as gone while everyone is sleeping. Man I wish it could be like this all the time. I walk Bucky into his room because he was barley awake, "Good night Buck," I whisper. I cover him with a blanket and blow out the candles. As I walk back into the main room I can hear the creek in the floor from my footsteps.

     Eventually, I walk into the family room after making sure Bucky and Rebecca are sound asleep. I look at the pictures on the ledge as I feel the heat of the crackling fire on my legs. I find a old letter and sit down to read it. In the letter, "Dear Maria, I know that you are in Europe visiting your aunt, I couldn't wait to tell you this. I need you to know how much I care about you, but not how you think. Maria I love you. Not as a friend but more, I couldn't help it. I have always loved you since I saw you. I know we're young but I hope that you feel the same way. You are kind, intelligent, bright, and most of all a good listener. I won't see you when you get back. I have to go out and fight. I love you Maria and hopefully you love me too.

Sincerely,
Bucky♡︎."