Words on Paper

Letter number 11

Dear Gabriel

Date: 10/9

Time passes so slowly. Every day is the same here. I read about some soldiers who died the other day. It was horrible. I kept seeing your face. But no one showed up by the door with the sad news, so I know you're okay.

I don't know where you are now, but I hope you'll get my letter anyway. My mom told me they have people who read all your letters before you get them, so I'll watch my mouth and not tell them any secrets. When will you come home? The apartment isn't the same anymore. I've painted the walls now. I had to since my sister gave us a painting for my birthday last week and it didn't fit with the yellow walls. We've been talking about painting them a hundred times, but it's done now. All the walls are white, and I even did something special for the bedroom; I painted the ceiling black and Hannah's husband (you remember he's a professional painter, right?) painted beautiful stars on it Saturday. She's the best sister ever.

Caleb came and helped me with the walls, you know I'm horrible at getting work done by myself. He looks just like you! It's so strange to talk to him, I would have thought you were twins if I didn't know he's three years older than you. He was at our apartment the whole day, Sunday, and we went out to grab dinner after working on the walls. He asked me if I wanted to go for a drink at a bar, but I said no. Mostly because of the baby, but also because it hurts looking at him. He probably doesn't understand it, but I know you do. I just keep seeing your face, hearing your voice. I swear, it looked like you were on TV the other day, but it was not you. I called Hannah and asked her to turn on the TV and she told me it wasn't you. I knew that inside, but I wanted it to be you. It was just a guy who's daughter's missing. I really hope he finds her.

I went to the doctor this Monday too and he said everything seems okay. That's good. He even said it was a good idea to start thinking about names now, but I don't know. There are only six months left and I don't even know if it's a girl or a boy yet. I promised you I wouldn't get it checked, but I might do it anyway. I'm sorry. It's just that Hannah and I talked about it, and now I have an urge to find out. You know how curious I get.

Caleb told me your cousin was selling his baby carriage, and they are just so expensive, so I called him yesterday and we agreed on meeting tomorrow. The price seems fair and I think he'll give me a discount because it's for us, so I'm gonna buy it. I hope it's okay I made that decision by myself. Jonah actually seemed very nice over the phone, so I don't get why you guys don't talk that much anymore, or why we've never asked him and Cassidy to come over for dinner. I'll ask him if they'll want to come for dinner sometime next month because I'm too busy this month with the apartment and all that.

Otherwise everything is just the same. I saw a special bird on TV; some kind of parrot. They told about it for about 30 minutes before the show ended, and I didn't listen to a word of it. I actually pressed the 'mute' button on the remote and just watched the pictures. I've always hated he voices from TV, but the photographers are cool. You're probably laughing right now; you've always teased me with that. I mute the TV to admire the photographers, and so what? You do weird things too! Like you stir your milk before you drink it every morning even though it has absolutely no purpose. I bet you don't do that where you are now, but I do it. I figured someone back home had to keep your strange habits now that you can't do it.

I've also started listening to your music even though it's horrible. I don't understand what they're saying because of the loud music and they're screaming, but I know you like it. I'm sure I'll grow to love it. I just don't understand that hard rock style. I've always been more soft - I'm more into Queen and U2.

I experienced something funny on the bus on my way to the doctor this Monday. It was so cute, I have to tell you about it. There was this little girl and she told her mom about how much fun she'd had at this birthday party. And the mom nodded at the right times, and the girl kept talking. Then this old lady came in and she sat across the kid and the mom, and I saw she smiled at the girl, and the girl just started all over telling the old lady about the birthday party. She woman seemed so happy that the girl wanted to talk to her so she offered her a piece of hard candy from her purse. You know what the girl said? "No thank you, but if you happen to have an ice cream down there, I would very much appreciate that." I just love kids. I really hope our kids will turn out just as cute as the girl on the bus, but I'm sure they will. After all, they will get your good looks and hopefully my taste in music.

I really hope you'll get this letter even though you haven't responded my last 10. I also know that you must be busy, and the letters might be late. I just hope you'll read them when they get there. I love you.

Love,

Your Claire