Traveling Soldier

Letters

December 2, 1955

Dear June,                                                                                                

        We just made it to Vietnam and I almost puked when I realized I'd have to see all these ugly faces instead your beautiful one. Okay, that was cheesy. You never told me about that boyfriend of yours...I bet I could take him...Then again, you never really admited whether you did or didn't have a boyfriend. It gets really rough over here, so I think of that day sitting down on the pier. I just close my eyes, and see your pretty smile. I'm scared, June. What if something happens that I don't come home alive. Before I met you, that would've been just swell. But now I have you to come back home to. Write back soon. Goodnight, baby. 

                                                                                     Forever yours,

                                                                                        Pvt. Gabriel Reiling

     I put the letter back in the envelope and pressed it to my heart, looking up towards the sky. "Delilah! Where's the letter paper?" I yelled. She bustled in with pen and paper in hand. 

December 4,1955

Dear Gabriel,                                                                                                 

        I just got your letter from the California post. To be honest I don't have a boyfriend. The only boyfriend I've ever had was when I was 12... You don't need to say things like dying. It'll worry me to death. How can two people care for each other so much when they've only seen each other once. That day on the pier...I expected you to kiss me, but I didn't think it was going to turn serious. I guess we still don't know. Write back! 

                                                                                Love Always,

                                                                                      June Hartman

       After I wrote the letter I walked to the post office to mail it. On my way, my friend Beverly stopped me. "June! Linda and I are going to the main street diner tonight! Wanna come?" she said, out of breath. "I'd love to, but only if you walk with me to the post office," I said, teasing. "What you mailing?" she asked, adjusting her sweater. "A letter to a special friend," I said, smiling. "Why can't you just see him?" she asked.

"He's overseas."

"A soldier? That must be swell! What's he like?"

"Well, his name's Gabriel. I met at the cafe the day before he left for Vietnam. His head was shaved but he has beautiful baby blue eyes. Really tough, too, with a deep voice."

"He sounds wonderful! When do I get to meet him?"

"I don't know, it depends on when he comes home..."

         We walked to the post office chattering away about the odds and ends of our day. "I'm gonna walk to Mrs. Julia's house over on Bunting Rd. You want to come with me?" I asked Beverly while fixing my dress. "Oh, I can't. You go on ahead and I'll meet you at the Diner tonight," she said with a genuine smile. "Bye-bye," I said while waving.