Women of War - A Band of Brothers Story

Mail Call

A/N: This chapter is me trying out something new. Let me know how you like it :) Brownie points to anyone who knows what inspired me to this (the title is a clue).

On another note: There won't be an update next week. I'll have my hands full working on my bachelor thesis... Hope you understand. But the week after that, I should hopefully be back to a normal schedule with updates on Wednesdays.

Dear Mom and Dad, dear David and Fabian

Thank you for your last letter. It was great reading news from home while we were marching all over Normandy (or at least it felt like it), fighting the Krauts nearly every day and having no idea of what's going on in other places. There are a lot of rumors, but often, nothing concrete.

I have news, too. We are finally off the front lines! You know how they told us that we would be relieved after 4 days of fighting? Well, that obviously didn't happen. No surprise there.

But now, we're back in England. We got all our back pay, two new uniforms AND a 7-day pass. I'm actually writing this letter from London. We're the first ones back and everybody is so welcoming. They treat us like heroes and there's plenty of food and drink around.

Unfortunately, I also have bad news. Elizabeth, my best friend, has been missing ever since the jump and a few days ago, it was confirmed that the plane she'd been in had been shot down before anyone could get out. I miss her, but I promised that I'd kill as many Germans for her as possible. And I've had lots of opportunity to avenge her.

We – that is the girls and I - have also written to her family, even though I know Elizabeth wasn't close to them. We just thought maybe they would appreciate hearing from a friend of hers instead of getting a form telegram and letter from the War Department. We all promised to do this should something happen to one of us.

I have to go; my friends are calling me. I miss you all very much and I am looking forward to hearing from you, soon. David and Fabian, I hope you don't give Mom and Dad too much trouble. I'm proud of you boys and keep up the good work in school, you're doing great.

Lots of love

Jess

***

Dear Sam

I hope this letter finds you well. How have you been? It has been a while since I last heard from you, but I imagine the Air Force isn't much quicker with delivering mail than the Army. And you're possibly just busy. Lord knows I have been these past few weeks. I would have to think very long and very hard to remember the last time I got some proper rest.

But I expect that will soon be remedied. We've been pulled off the line a few days ago and have been shipped back to England! We all received a seven-day pass, so I have more than enough time to sleep and relax. Most of our company stepped off the transport and got right onto the train to London, but I didn't join. They might call it R&R or fun, but I didn't see the appeal in a week-long celebration. I decided to stay on base and just enjoy the peace and quiet for a while.

Thank you for the puzzles you sent me last time. I didn't have much time to look at them, but I keep them on me because you know how it is – sometimes, your biggest worry aren't bullets or shells, but plain old boredom. You'll find that I have returned the favour and sent you a few puzzles, too. I hope they keep you entertained during a lull.

Be safe, dear brother, and don't forget which way is up.

Your sister

Reese