Letters Back Home

Chapter Thirteen

Sixth Month

I hadn't heard from Nick in a month and I was beginning to worry. I have now been watching the news like a hawk stalking it as prey for the past couple of weeks. Each day, no matter where I was at, I was sure to have a television nearby that way I could keep an eye out for any recent news.

"I really don't know what to tell you Sam. Garrett and I have been keeping contact over the phone for awhile so I don't think anything major is wrong, but then again Garrett doesn't do what Nick does. Only rarely, do they ever see each other over there." Summer spoke to me over the phone. I was clutching it tightly in my hand and trying not to let my tears effect my speech.

"Alright." I said my voice hitching a little. "Well, please...please let me know if you hear anything." I mumbled over the speaker.

"I will sweety. But hey, he is going to be just fine." She replied over the speaker, just before she hung up. "I love you girly." Then I shut the phone. I held it against my temple and closed my eyes trying to think.

Why wouldn't he call or Skype? This isn't like him.

Just when I began to lose hope a sound of a truck outside the house rambled a thought into my mind.

Letters.

I quickly, well as fast as I could, stood up from the couch clutching my belly for support. When I stood, I walked quickly to unlock the door. I jiggled the handle slightly before the door pulled away. I sped walked through and down the sidewalk leading to the road, the mail truck was just beginning to pull away from my neighbors mailbox. I threw open the mailbox door and peered inside to see a stack of letter. I searched through them moving all the bills to the back of the stack as I frantically searched for familiar writing.

Just as I was beginning to lose hope, I found one addressed to me in the handwriting I had been looking for. I tore open the envelope and gave myself a paper cut in the process. I slowly walked back towards the house as I peered down to read the letter, not worrying about the stack of bills.

Dear Sammy,

You know how bad I am at letters but I hope this is better than nothing at all. The troops and I are headed for a con mission to the deeper parts of the desert. Communication won't be available by Skyping or calling because I will be on foot for awhile. I am hoping these don't come too late but I send my hope along with each letter. I stay up late thinking of you and Evangeline and that seems to be the only thing that keeps me going. I'm not used to the desert out here and many men have died because the Taliban. I send my love with the letters I am able to send by chopper whenever a man gets evacuated. Although soon I am afraid that they will stop coming, I won't stop writing. I have placed each letter in a case in my bag, the sergeant says it's an unnecessary waste of space but I just shake him off. I try not to pay attention to the amount of people that keep going each day, but to be honest Sammy, I'm scared. It feels childish to say but I wish I could just be held by you and feel the kick of our little girl against my back when I'm trying to sleep by you. I miss you both so much and I hope to be finished soon. With all of my love,

Nicky

Tears began to flow down my cheeks more rapidly as I re-read the letter multiple times. I kept a hand rested on my stomach for awhile after I had set down the letter and laid on the couch.

"Don't worry baby girl." I spoke to Evangeline. "Everything will be okay." I began as a comfort for her, ended up treating the words as a comfort to my own worry.

Everything will be okay.

The chant became softer and softer as it drifted me to sleep.