Words Are All

Second Letter: JJ

Sent: May 8, 2016

Received: May 14, 2016

Timothy Langston-Andrews

Amsterdam, New York

United States of America

Dear Tim,

The first week here went by in a blur.  I was in countless meetings and conferences that I barely had time to even use the restroom.  You’ve occupied my thoughts every single day and wish I could be back beside you.  When the soldier brought me your letter, I nearly hugged him.  I waited as patiently as I could for your letter, always checking my watch.  The base is nice and comfortable.  There are a couple game rooms and all the chairs are well padded.  I have my own office, not that I spend much time in it, and have a secretary, Robert Sievert Jr.  He’s barely nineteen and already out in a hostile country.  I wasn’t much better on my first deployment but the threat of violence is thicker here.  

I’m glad to hear Mom and Dad and Co. came around.  Someone has to look after you *wink*.  I can’t wait for those M&M’s to come in.  I have a hankering for chocolate and you, but the candy will have to do until I get back.  And yes, Harry is stationed here with me.  His office is across the hall and a few doors down.  He says hello back.  

Before I forget, there is a point I need to stress.  The danger levels are extremely high here.  Even in the base, we are not safe 30% of the time.  We have sentries and radar but inside jobs are not implausible.  If there are gaps between my letters, it’s because we are on high alert and all personnel, including me, must be ready to fight.  Don’t assume the worst when there are gaps.  The base is well fortified and we are all well trained.  No one and no thing will stop me from coming back to you Tim, you know that.  All the enemies in the world couldn’t stop me when I set my mind to do something.  

This war is vicious.  Part of it is the pursuit of oil (is it ever not?) But, mostly, we’re here to stop the harmful militarian regime from wiping out the innocent peacefuls in the country.  It saddens me that the powerful few seek to control and hurt the plentiful weak.  The leader, General Ammon Badawy, orders public executions daily of those who aren’t fervent believers of his psychobabble.  He’s a modern day Hitler.  So far, we’ve managed to keep his volatile ragtag army in the country itself and mostly confined in a couple cities.  

Try not to wage your own war against your mother and father.  I know they’re awful and toxic but they’re like Gen. Ammon, they’ll only find new ways to bother you.  I’m not saying to invite them over for dinner but make it seem like you’re listening to them.  It will satisfy their hunger for control.  And yes, Timmy, I know this because they’re the easiest books to read I’ve ever met.  If you have to, tell them my parents are there and that you mustn’t be a bad host.  I’ll bet that it’ll be completely true in a matter of days, a week at the most.  Mom will insist on making you dinner and Dad will want to talk literature with you, maybe baseball if his team’s doing well.  

I love you Tim.  I will await your letters.

J.J.