Letter Home (Blogophilia 3.13)

It was hot for early spring. Kathy mopped the sweat off her face with a paper towel as she pushed the broom toward the edge of the carport. Stopping, she rolled her wedding band around her finger to air it out. Why didn't she get a fan out before she started this? The thought irritated her as much as when she found out Jimmy had forgotten the trash again. How could one person be so absentminded? You should be able to remember every week. At least she got it to the street before the truck came. She kept the line of dirt moving.

Friday was her normal cleaning day. But it was also his birthday and her Mom was coming. she wanted the house to look extra nice for it. Emily got out of school early and sort of helping, picking up trash in a way only a kid would. Each piece was a new gift. She would turn it from side to side, seeing what it was, then threw it in the can. It was a slow process and there were a couple of times Kathy had to count to herself to keep from yelling.

Charlie was switching from giggling to whining in his carrier. He'll want to eat pretty soon. Emmy came over to play with him, which bought a little time. She was a good big sister, putting up with his crying and always asking if she could help. She didn't even mind dirty diapers. It was fun to watch her face scrunch up when she'd take them to the trash, then kiss him on top of his head. If he wasn't in total meltdown when she did it, he would giggle.

Charlie began to fuss harder,  and

"Time for a break. Sweetie." She leaned the broom against the wall. "Can you get your brother a bottle real quick?"

"Sure, Mommy."

Kathy pulled up a chair next to the carrier and picked him up. He wiggled a bit and settled down. Emily came back with the bottle. In her hand was an envelope.

"Mommy, what's this?"

Kathy recognized it immediately.

"Oh, my God, Emmy." She squealed and grabbed it from her. "Where did you find that?"

"It was in the pile of boxes over there" she pointed at the stack next to the door. "I saw Daddy's handwriting and the funny stamp"

She was turning over the paper like Emily did with the trash.

"This was a letter Daddy wrote to me when he was in the Air Force." The memory was almost overwhelming. "It came from a faraway place."

The little girl jumped up and down, flowing curls bouncing around her pale face."Ooh, can we read it?"

"It's kind of mushy, Emmy. " She was stalling for time. For his faults, Cowboy was truly romantic and this letter had made her bawl every time she read it.

"I won't get embarrassed, Mommy."

"O.K., but you're going to have to hold Charlie's bottle because I can't do both."

Kathy got down off the chair and sat cross-legged on the floor next to the carrier and put her daughter on her lap. She slipped the bottle between the two kid's hands. Emily snuggled back into her mother's body.

"This is like bedtime... almost." Emily giggled.

Kathy grinned. It felt like she back in school, sharing a secret with a friend. Her finger slipped opened the flap of the envelope. Inside was the photograph of Jimmy in his uniform in front of a slate gray C-130. It was taken after he got the promotion and the new stripes stood out from the washed-out shirt. His face was smudged with grease. A line of brown hills loomed in the background. The rest of his crew was scattered on the other side of the huge nose.

"Is that really Daddy?" Emily asked, eyes wide. "He looks like a movie star."

Kathy kissed the top of her head.

"He always was my star, Honey."

It had been her idea for Jimmy to go into the reserves as a backup to the job at the dealership. The Air Force had the best training programs, so he became an Airman. Basic was a little tough, but they got through it and they settled into the routine of one weekend a month working on big cargo planes. It wasn't always easy, but the extra money and insurance were worth it.

The deployment order came on their second anniversary: Report to Dobbins in 14 days for processing. She didn't want him to go, but orders were orders. The night before he left was one of the best they had ever had. They made banana splits and put on each others' cologne. They talked about becoming a couple at her 12th birthday party, the day on the mountain that was truly their wedding and losing Little Jimmy. There was no sleep, just tears, laughter, and love. The ride over to the base was quieter than when she had lost the baby. As he boarded the plane to California, she wondered if she would see him again.

He would call every Friday night when he still in the states. But when he went overseas, he was limited to email and not every week. One Friday several months after he was shipped, the letter came. You couldn't tell where it came from by the APO address, but it was his handwriting and inside the envelope was the hint of Old Spice. She could smell it now.

Many nights she cried herself to sleep holding this picture. Now it was just a marker of their journey together. She set the photo on the floor next to them and gently took out the folded paper. She let the emotions fill her as she read over it silently. Emmy felt the stiffness, turned around and kissed her necklace. Looking into the little blue eyes was like a mirror to her own girlhood. The child loved romantic stuff and happy endings and so did she. With a sigh, she started.

"March 23, 2008"

Emily's eyes lit up. "Hey, that's the same as today."

"Why, yes it is. Funny how anniversaries work". She began reading again.

"Dear Kathy, 

I'm sorry I haven't been able to Email or call. It's been busy out here. The planes have been coming and going regularly for the last few weeks and every one of them seems to need something. By the time my shift is over, I'm ready for my bunk. But Sarge and my CO seem to be happy with me and they gave me a new stripe. By the time you get this, you should see the increase in pay. 

Today is my birthday. Thank you for the picture you sent my CO to give me. It made me happy to see your face. The CO said I had done well and hoped I would get rotated out soon. The guys managed to get banana splits sent over along with a case of beer. Sarge didn't mind as long as we gave him a couple, which we did. 

But all I want is to relive three years ago. Yes, our mothers' said it was a mistake. But it wasn't. You, more than anyone else, made me a man. 

You complained in your letter you had gained weight. I don't care. Words may show a man's wit but actions show meaning. I want to smell your lavender, taste your lips and unwrap your gypsy dress like the gift you are. I want to dance with you under the moon. And if there is more of you, there is more of you to love. 

I want to marry you all over again Miss Kathy Simpson.

Would you say yes?

Awaiting your reply.

Love,

Cowboy."

Charlie was almost finished with the bottle when she was done. Emily slipped off her lap so she could burp him. The baby smelled like Jimmy and she wished he was home. Emmy looked up with her eyes wide.

"He really does love you, doesn't he?" The little girl asked.

"And I really love him back." There were tears in her eyes as she hugged her children close. "And I love both of you."

"Did you write him back?"

Kathy sniffled a little.

"I didn't need to. I got word he was coming home."

Emmy thought for a moment.

"Did you make him a banana split when he got back?"

The question startled her and she began to laugh. Oh, little did she know how they shared bananas for the next few days. And they were sweeter than even before he left. She planted a big kiss on her cheek.

"Yes, Miss Emily Rose Morris, I did."

She stood up and held her daughter's hand.

Come on, we've got to get cleaned up. It is his birthday and those splits won't make themselves."

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Topic-Dave Coon
Ben Franklin Quote: "Words may show a man's wit but actions show meaning"
Pic-Diana Jillian
Pic guesses: Gypsy (in the blog), Flowing curls (in the blog), fortune teller, Colorful, dancer, layers,