Yours Truly

18 - The Three Words

 "McCaden!" 

        William McCaden flinched, looking up from where he sat on his bulky pack, composing a letter against his knee to his sweetheart Charlotte. He tried his best to keep the flecks of mud and blood off the letter, but some spots of brown had edged their way onto it. Thankfully, however, the letter managed to stay dry enough. Will had waited until the torrential downpour stopped to begin writing. 

        Corporal Donny Shotton was limping towards Will. In spite of everything happening, he was grinning impishly. Will was rather amazed that Shotton was in such a good mood. It was only a week ago when the troops had stormed Omaha Beach, facing heavy casualties. Eventually, they had managed to secure the beachhead and take over the German bunkers. After setting up camp near the beach and around the bunkers, they spent the past week going over plans, undergoing missions and helping the wounded. Morale was low, and the men's moods had been very grim, but Corporal Shotton was an exception.You just couldn't take the smile off of that guy's face. 

        "Oh, hello," Will said in a raspy voice. He hadn't used his voice in quite a while-- he'd been rather quiet the past few days. 

        Shotton clapped Will roughly on the back before plopping down beside him in front of the tent. "Writing a letter?" 

        "Mhm." Will wasn't really in the mood to talk, but he didn't want to be rude. 

        "You writin' to Momma or Papa?" Shotton guffawed, snatching Will's letter. 

        "Give that back!" Will growled, trying to reach up and grab his letter back. Corporal Shotton was 30 years old, ten years older than Will, who was 20. Shotton often teased Will and treated him like a little boy, but Will never really cared until that moment. "Shotton, you bastard, give me my--" 

        Shotton chuckled, swinging the letter around, out of Will's reach. "Let's read this, shall we?" 

        "Don't you dare--" 

        "'My dearest Lottie--'" 

        Will finally managed to snatch the letter from Corporal Shotton, blushing furiously. He folded it and secured it underneath his palm, glowering up at a smirking Shotton. 

        "I reckon that's not Momma or Papa," Shotton chortled. 

        Will felt a strong surge of annoyance. "Charlotte's my sweetheart." 

        Shotton's arrogant smile wavered momentarily. "I figured." Another cocky grin broke out on his face. "McCaden, I didn't know you got a girl, why, you gotta give me some details now!" He unearthed a cigarette from his pocket and lit it before smiling at Will expectantly. 

        Will glared at Shotton, who continued to huff clouds of smoke in his face, smiling lazily. 

        "Well?" Shotton prodded. 

        Will fought the urge to smack Shotton's cigarette out of his fingertips. "Just... let me finish my letter, okay? I'm not in the mood to talk, Donny." 

        Donny feigned looking deeply hurt. "Someone's not very happy, eh?" After Will did not reply, Donny brought out one more cigarette and offered it to Will. 

        Grudgingly, Will took it. Donny was lighting the end when Will finally answered, "she's a nurse from New Orleans. Twenty years old. Oldest of four. She's quiet, but once you get to know her, she's... the most amazing person." Will's voice broke.