I, Who Have Nothing by: Hawk-Hotlips
A/N: As with most of the general public, I don't own MASH. Also, this has nothing to do with the song by the same name.This is also Beyta' s request.
March 18, 1952
Seoul, South Korea
Dear Abilene, my daughter,
How's life in Ohio? It's hell here in the front. (You're 15 now, I can use that language) Our foxholes aren't exactly what you would call home; we eat C rations, our beds and our bathroom are in the same room, along with our kitchen and everything else. It's made out of rock, stone. Man, what I would give for the comfort of our little brick home now.
For the tenth time, I'm sorry I got drafted. I mean, if I dodged that, I would be away from you longer, in a place more hellish. I know the foster home you're in isn't nothing special either. (by the way, how can you blame mom for dying in a traffic accident? It's not like she saw that car coming.) From what you tell me, it's not very clean there. It's very poor and rundown. Also from what you tell me, they don't even take care of you guys much, you must being exaggerating a little, (I mean really, eleven-year-old boys who aren't potty-trained and don't even wear diapers? You must be kidding) the state does have standards.
You must be worried that I'm writing you from Seoul. No, I'm not wounded, but I am on R&R, or as they commonly call it, "Relax and Restoration'. I'm going to be here for a whole week!
Not much to report on my men, I guess they have to get used to a Lieutenant Colonel as a commander of a battalion (that is a little low). They don't really tell me much yet; no anniversaries, weddings, birthdays, etc. I have to look at their files for most of those things.
Not much else to say, except that I love you.
I love you squashy-poo,
Daddy
That letter was sent about six months ago, time is not much use here so I'm not sure. I read it every night and then cry myself to sleep. It's a monotonous process, but it gets me through the nights. I wasn't exaggerating about anything in my letter, the boys ( and some of the girls) are really like that.
I don't know if you should know, but I'm running away from here, I managed to get a job and saved all of my money for months for a plane ticket to Korea. I told my father fo a couple of letters last year that I had gotten a job. He didn't seem to care.
He hasn't answered any of my letters since that one, and I'm starting to get worried. If it wasn't for the terrible postal service, I would have worried sooner. I know that it takes a few months for letters to go to Korea and back, but I think that I've waited long enough.
I, who have nothing, just like every other child here, wants out. As I've said before, it's horrible here. But I guess you don't want to hear anymore of my ranting.
Now darkness is settling, I can make my escape. I don't know what I'm facing, but I know I'll persevere.
I've got to leave now...
I bought my ticket. Since I don't have any baggage besides the clothes on my back, I got the ticket a little cheaper.
Now, I've been on a plane before, but never for so long. I know that I'll have to change planes, but I hope I have enough.
Here's my flight plan; From Cincinnati, I go to Chicago. From Chicago, I go to San Francisco, from there, I go to Hawaii, then to Guam, and finally to Tokyo. From Tokyo, I plan to hitch a ride to Seoul. Maybe I can find my daddy there.
Wish me luck.