A Fine Line

Mexican Beaches

Rafa read Othello on the beach of his home. Head propped up by one arm. His sister and her son played happily in the shallow of the crystal clear water. Austin's letters grew scarce as time went on. Rafa tried not to over think it. He knew Austin was facing disgusting atrociates, and the fact that he was powerless against it, broke his heart.

Rafa had sent Austin whatever he could, drawings, poetry. But he could tell by the letters he received back, Austin was loosing hope. Sometimes Rafa feared the man he loved wouldn't be able to keep his promise. That he wouldn't return to him. The last he'd ever seen of Austin was him being dragged away in chains with heartbreak and betrayal in his eyes.

Austin didn't speak much of what he'd seen in his battles, or how many he'd been in. But Rafa could always tell when something bad had happened. Because the letters would arrive in a dozen instead of twenty. That didn't happen often, however.

It stung even worse when the fighting in Mexico had stopped. The representatives had convinced Congress to withdraw all American soldiers from peaceful, civilian villages and homes. Soon, they'd be out of the country entirely and a treaty would be offered.

Rafa could save his family from violence but he couldn't stop the Civil War that had taken the kindest, most intelligent, and wonderful man he'd ever known, into it's tornado of death and destruction.

Often Rafa had nightmares of his own. About Austin in the war. What he might've seen. What could have happened to him. Did he have scars? Had he been shot? Or worse, blow up? Was his hearing intact?

That was a common injury amongst soliders, deafness. Gun violence and explosives turning men into canon fodder. Left without limbs or their sanity.

It would be fall in Amherst, by now. Making it roughly a year since Rafa had met Austin. And he wasn't here for it. He wasn't home with Rafa, where he belonged. It hurt to see the ocean at times, knowing Austin had always been so excited to see it.

Rafa prayed every morning and night for his safe return.

It was breakfast when his mother brought the mail in. Rafa immediately rushed to the pile, as he always did. Sifting through them until he found all of the ones that were from Austin. But when he counted only four, he asked, "This is all?"

His mother gave him a solemn look filled with sympathy. She walked over and pat his cheek gently. "Im sorry, my boy. That was all Juilio gave me."

A sickening feeling arose within him, his stomach plummeting to the depths of hell. Austin would never stop writing. Even when Frasier had died, Austin still wrote.

In a panic, Rafa went through every one. Reading in haste. There was no indication Austin was planning an escape, as he'd warned Rafa of in the past. In case his letters would stop for a while.

Rafa's hands trembled as he gripped the letters. He looked to his mother who was reading her own letter. A tear running for her cheek, she looked to him.

"What is it?" Rafa asked, voice gone rough.

"Rafael, I am so sorry." She shook her head in disbelief.

Rafa couldn't breathe. It was as if the air had been sucked right out of his lungs. Without another word, he snatched the paper from her hands, which shook violently.

It was a letter addressed to the Reyes...from Amherst. Without even reading Rafa knew. He knew what this was. But apart of him hoped it was anything but. So he read.

To The Reyes Family,

My name is Sue Lassiter. I am the daughter of the family who hosted Mr. Reyes and Rafa last year. But I'm afraid I do not write to you in good spirits.

Austin was declared dead. We received notice yesterday by way of telegram from Austin's General. We do not know how he has died. Only that there was an ambush during a supply raid. Assumed to be Confederates, left the entire platoon drenched in blood and gore. When no correspondence was made for two week, a follow up was sent out and discovered all of the men's bodies. From what I understand, the men bared no chance against them.

We do not have a body to bury, as of yet. But we were told it will be enroute as soon as they are done identifying the men. He will be buried in Amherst, in the family's plot. He's earned that much.

I know my father's treatment of him was unfair, and at times even cruel. I know Austin never knew about the draft, And I regret not standing up for him at the time. I was a coward. But even then, he served his country. It called and he answered valiantly. Even if his heart heard another call.

I'd heard rumors that he was one of the best shots there. Respected amongst the men. And he was a good man. A kind man. Perhaps too kind for war. I hope this gives you all some comfort in his departure from this world. I will miss my brother dearly. But not as much as your son, Rafa, will.

I am so sorry, Rafael Reyes. I know how much you loved him. And I know he truly wanted to be with you. He never wrote to me after what happened. But I know he must have written to you. My brother would never abandon the ones he loves. And by God, did he love you. I'm sorry the world didn't allow him to be.

I will write to you again once we've buried him.

Your friend,

Sue Lassiter

Rafa fell to the floor, dead silent. Eyes raining down with tears. He crumbled the letter and threw it against the wall with a scream. The sound of heartbreak filled the empty home.