JLNicky: Umm, scribbler u wanna say anything?

The Scribbler: Nope

JLNicky: Me neither. Hope they like it.

The Scribbler: Me 2! Oh wait. I do have something to say. As always, this is for the love of my life!

JLNicky - Damn I wish I had one of those. (Pout) I just want to dedicate it to all the women in uniform?you hawwwwwt ones you. (Wink)

Letter To Home (Part 1)

Hey there friend,

It's quiet right now. I looked up into the night sky. Saw a shooting star and thought of you. Since I have arrived here I haven't had the chance to write. So this is my attempt at correcting the situation.

Normally I can't write but for some reason my words seem to be flowing tonight. Maybe I miss watching the stars with you, laying in your back yard on the grass, while you pointed out the stars to me. Or maybe the times we went camping together.

I s'pose I should also mention the food here is not the greatest. The children are so under fed. Their bellies are swollen with hunger. The parents are not in much better shape. The towns, if that you want to call them, seem more like potholes in the road with people around them.

The people all gather round our convoy of humvees and five tons when we pull in. We unload and try to make sure everyone gets something.

The medical teams set up their tents and start bandaging the wounded. Some are hesitant; afraid it might be a trap. But, we persist and when they realize we aren't the bad guys, they bring more wounded in. The looks on their faces make it worthwhile.

I know this letter is gonna ramble but I just can't seem to get my brain to settle down for sleep tonight. Remember you use to tell me you could hear the hamsters turning the squeaky wheel in my head. I think you were right, I really hear them tonight.

The ground shook earlier. From here we could see the bombs going off in the distance. As we both know, I am not really into religion but I do ask for the moon goddess to watch over you, our troops, and me.

Every now and then we run across other troops. Their eyes light up when we yell at them, in English. Sometimes we are traveling in the same direction. It makes it harder to go our separate ways at the end.

On the last convoy, there were some women and there was one that stood out. I gotta tell ya my friend if I had more time things hopefully would have been different. I am so glad you and I talked about me before I left. And my friend you didn't disappoint me by accepting my lifestyle.

I still haven't told my parents. If it's alright with you, would you be there, my friend?

Waiting for more supplies and stuff today, so we won't be moving for a couple of days.

Reminds me a little bit of that time when we were kids and we got lost. You got so damn stubborn, thinking you were right about the direction we should go. And you were. Sometimes, I think you were a homing pigeon in a former life.

I know my friend; you don't understand why I am here. I confess, I don't know why myself. Maybe I'm running away from lost love and this is only the way I can adjust to my heartache. Just maybe this is the only way, since I can't seem to be able to look you in your eyes to tell you I am in love with your sister. I know you may not want to be around me anymore, but I can't believe it myself. I haven't told her either.

I don't know how or when. I mean we all grew up together and her being younger, well I use think of her as my younger sister too. Now, well I get kinda tongue-tied. I get these butterflies. Hell, remember when we use to joke about that?

Whoa. That was a close one. We are headed away from the "danger" zone. I think it's all dangerous around here, any more.

The culture is so different from ours. I never really gave it much thought?freedom. It was just a word but now it is so much more. After seeing the women and young girls being treated as second-class citizens.

My friend, I have to close...they are shutting off the generator soon.

Give my love to your family. I miss them too. Take care my friend.

Me

Letter From Home

Dear Josephine

Hi! I guess you're a bit surprised to be receiving a letter from me, huh? Well I hope you don't mind but?well?I saw a letter you had written to my brother. He doesn't know I read it and to tell the truth I'm hoping you're not mad at me for invading your privacy. I just?wanted to know what you were doing.

Actually that's not the whole truth. I really needed to know what you were doing. You've been in my thoughts since you shipped out.

Well that's not the entire truth either. You've been in my thoughts since my brother and you formed a friendship.

I know I know! You're thinking "no way"! <Grin> Well its quite true you know. Here was my big brother, the hulking big dude who I adored and thought was the greatest. Since our father died when we were really young he sort of took over as the man of the house. In my five-year-old mind he was really good at it too! I mean he made me P&J sandwiches whenever I wanted. How cool is that? He knows all about everything! He was athletic, smart, and handsome. To me, being five years younger than him, he was fantastic. Then when school started back up he went and made friends with this really tall, athletic girl who could beat the pants off him in any sport she chose. And she loved P & J sandwiches too! Wow! You were awesome. Both of you used to let me tag along and you were always helping me figure out stuff. You never just told me the answer you always gave me riddles and had me work it out. I loved that. In fact?I came to love you.

Stop that! Now your thinking "Oh a big sister"! Well maybe at one time I had those thoughts. And sometimes I don't think that is a bad idea. You can be one hell of a protector of me too! I know. You remember that night I walked back from school a lot later than I had realized? I was thirteen. It was so dark and I was still in my school uniform, carrying all my books. I shiver at the thought of that pervert still out there on the streets. Thank God you met up with me when you did. He had just cornered me near the alley on the edge of the Stewart's backyard. I guess I was scared stupid, not able to scream but?the moment I saw you riding by on your bike I got smart quick! You came riding over and dropped your bike. You looked like an angry wild animal the moment you saw him and me. That guy must have seen it too cause even though he was taller and older he took one look at you and backed away. It was probably the smartest thing he ever did. You could have kicked his butt. I think that was the day I fell in love with you. Maybe not the kind of love an adult would share with another but?more like a puppy hero-worshipping love. Thank goodness I grew up and matured some. I don't know how you put up with my constant stalking after that! <Grin>

The only thing I remember very clearly afterwards was you holding me in your arms telling me it was OK and the moment I got home seeing my brothers face. His eyes got so round and he became so angry. Then when he stormed out of the house, Jo? I was so scared. Scared for him and you too. You followed him out telling my mom you'd bring him back. My mom looked just as scared as me I'm sure. She held me and waited for you and Trent to come back home. We were so frightened we sat there for all three hours you two were gone. It was a scary moment. Just like now.

The stuff they show on T. V. about being over there is scary. The car bombs, the deaths of soldiers and civilians, the hunger and diseases are all recounted each night. And I watch it Jo, don't think I don't. Your living it every day and I want you to know I examine every soldiers face to see just a glimpse of you. I don't think there is one moment out of my day that I don't think about you being there and involved in that mess.

Jo? I've got to admit it frightened me and it also made me so proud at the same time. I only have to think of you with your higher code of ethics, the values you treasure, the honor we can see in you and I know that this war is something that is perfect for you to be involved in. You may think you were running from something, your parents, college, even me, but maybe if you take a moment to think about it you'll see you ran toward something too. There is just something about the military breed of soldier that I found is a part of every one of them. The soldier is always a special type of person, both male and female; they look at the world and can see it as a better place. I'm so happy your one of those people. Tell your buddies good luck on their missions and thank you for protecting us. It makes me fall in love with you all over again.

Yes I eventually matured right into deeper feelings for you and had to watch you from afar. I was sitting in my bedroom with the window wide open watching you and Trent look at the stars. On a peaceful night I could hear you both talk about them. I wished I could be on your other side, holding your hand. I just hope Trent will understand. We all grew up together and we all love each other. I just love you differently now.

I read the part about your feelings for me. I wanted you to know that it's the very same for me whenever you are around. I know that sounded stupid so I'm gonna just write it in English this time. I love you too. Not any puppies hero-worship either. The kind of love I feel is really important to me and can't truly be expressed by writing it on paper for the very first time. However, since I've read your letter I think it's important to let you know my feelings.

As for being frightened for you being over there?I have cried many a tear for you Josephine Angel Bryant. Don't you do anything to make me mad? Be careful and safe. I want you back here in one piece so I can kiss you silly. I have missed you so terribly bad. I know I am being a bit forward about this but you said, "That was close". I can barely eat these days with worry.

I'm so sorry for rambling all over the place. I just wanted to tell you how I feel and I hope you write me back. I want to see you. Hell, I want to do more than that. <Grin> but it seems like a long time before I might even hug you hello. Just remember if you are feeling alone and are frightened remember I am thinking of you. You're not really alone.

I hope you get this soon. I am sending it to you at the return address you wrote on the envelope for Trent's letter. I've heard the mobile units in the military have the mail catch up to them eventually. I'm sealing it with warm thoughts and hugs and love from everyone here, especially me. Please take care of yourself and let us know what is happening.

Trina

Letter From Your Best Friend

Jo,

Well, I'm upset, for various reasons of which I'm sure you realize. If that's what you set out to accomplish you've succeeded. Are you doing this to hurt me? Cause I'll be damned if I let you hurt my baby sister. Remember I know you and your sneaky ways. Look at how you did, waiting until the last minute before shipping out to tell me your gay. Then you have the gall to send me a letter telling me you have designs on my baby sister. I don't want you anywhere near her. So do me a big favor for once in your life and STAY away. Have I made myself clear? I don't want you writing her or having anything to do with MY family. By now you have the gist I am angry and upset with you. Your damn right I am. I never realized how upset I could be, even now after this time. I am still afraid of what I would do to you. Or maybe try to do, since in the armed forces they teach soldiers self defense. I don't even know why I am writing this. Maybe to protect my sister, I really don't know. Or maybe it's because deep down I still remember the best friend I ever had and I miss her. I want to understand you on this but?it's not just something I can accept. Trent

Continued...