Letters

Poster Boy

"You're what?" Steve questioned, amazed. Olsen laughed, patting Steve on the back.

"You heard correctly Mr. Captain America." Olsen laughed. Steve still couldn't believe what he was hearing. Go on a world wide song and dance tour, sure. Slap his face across hundreds maybe thousands of, "We want you to join the war effort" posters, why not. Star in some short films, I guess. But having his own comic book series?

It's not like the comics were just about Captain America either. It was Steve's story, just not in so many details. "We don't want everyone knowing you're a government experiment!" Someone had exclaimed. Steve and laughed warily at that. He was a government experiment, there was no denying that and the comics relayed that, just not in those exact words. There was one huge difference between Steve's Captain America and the version in the comics.

In the Captain American comics, he went to war.

Steve had knocked out "Hitler" a couple dozen times now but he had never been in an actual fight or battle that he had won yet. So even his fictional character was leading the life Steve wanted to. "Can you sit up a bit straighter Cap?" The artists asked. Several artists were quickly sketching Steve out in several poses. They wanted the comics to be as realistic as possible. Steve still hadn't wrapped it around his head yet that he was going to be a comic book character. He would get the first copy of the comic before it went out to the general public and part of Steve was really excited but the other part was frustrated and angry.

----

Steve was staring down at his mask when he heard the coughing. He knew who it was immediately. Glancing up, Steve found a weary Callie moving his way. She was leaning against the wall, the sodden cabinets for their costumes, everything, Steve stood up and took her arm to help her from falling.

"Callie what are you doing back here? You're supposed to be at the hotel, in bed." Callie tried to push his arm away.

"I know now let go before you get sick too."

"I don't think I get sick anymore. You know, the whole super immune system and everything." She smiled weakly and sneezed. Steve quickly say her down on the bench.

"No, no." Callie said fighting against him as Steve gently held her shoulders down so she would sit. "I have to go before I infect the other girls." She coughed again.

"You.. You know what you have?" Steve asked. Callie smiled up at him.

"I do." She paused. "You were right Steve. It's Tuberculosis." Steve's shoulders slumped.

"God I'm so sorry Callie I didn't mean to.." Callie waved him away.

"Please, it's not like you did anything." Her voice shook a little. "You're the one who pushed me into getting checked out and now.. Now I have to go home and die in peace."

"Callie don't talk like that you're not going to.."

"I might." Callie interrupted. "I might die Steve. Don't give me false hope. I'm not a sick child." Callie coughed again and Steve swallowed hard. "I know this virus can kill me. Now I just want to get back to my family before it does." Steve was quiet. Callie stood slowly. "Now say goodbye to me."

"No." Steve said standing.

"Steve.." Callie said with a sigh.

"I'm going to say see you later." Callie eyed Steve quizzically. "A goodbye is definite a see you later means.. I'll see you later." Callie smiled and took Steve's hand.

"I see why your Willow is in love with you. You do have a way with words." Steve blushed. Callie pushed herself up on her toes and kissed Steve's cheek. "You be good now Steven." He laughed.

"Of course Callie." Callie gathered her things before moving off. When she got to the door she glanced back at Steve and waved goodbye. Steve waved back and watched her disappear. It was the last time he ever saw her.

May 14, 1943

Dear Willow,

I wish we could meet in person as well. It would be much easier. I miss the sound of your voice. I like to imagine your reading your letters to me but sometimes I don't think I have your voice exactly right. It's been so long since I heard it I'm not sure anymore.

I know our apartment is closer than your last but I really wish you would ask one of your friends to walk with you or ask for a ride. Call a taxi even. I know you're not going far I just don't want you to get hurt. Crime is low in Brooklyn but you never know, especially in this time of war.

I'm glad to hear that you and your friends are doing well. The subject of war is always touchy but I'm glad that Johanna found someone like we finally found each other. Unfortunately, I have some bad news to share. Callie was sick with TB. She finally got checked out. I said goodbye to her today. She's heading back to New York to see her family. I tried to give her hope, I told her I would see her again and I'm really scared I won't. Do you think you could check up in her for me? Look her up. Her full name is Callie Hermani. She lives in Brooklyn.

Four murders? Don't get yourself into any dangerous situations Willow please. I don't want you getting hurt. Your a reporter and I love that but don't move too deeply into what will become police work.

My acting skills are mediocre at best, much like some of the other guys I worked with. I've delivered lines for this tour for months now and it's not much different from the lines I did on screen in a way. I just have to say everything with feeling. The directors said I wasn't half bad. I didn't know if they were lying to save my feelings or telling me the truth.

I didn't really know who any of the actors or directors were. I think the actors were just random extras. I'm supposed to be the main focus. They didn't want someone beating out Captain America as the main focus.

I understand what you're trying to say Willow but I'm just a Poster Boy. I'm barely making a difference, if any. My role in this war is small at best. I don't think they'll keep their promise of putting me in the army, giving me my own men to command, not that I think I'd be very good at that, leading people. But I thought they'd at least want to test my abilities.

He's in a different country Willow. I understand your concern but letters arrive slowly and come back even slower. Think nothing of it. I'm sure he misses you too. I know I do.

Rain flows to the sea.
When will I go back to thee?
You are my light,
Shining bright.
My beacon of hope,
Calling me home.

Love,
Steve Rogers