The Letter
Tee heard the clatter of the letterbox and rushed to collect the post. It had been just under a year since Johnny left for the army. Rules there were strict but he had called her whenever he could, (once a week, by army rules) and he had texted too. But she hadn't heard from him for a month now, he didn't answer her texts and he didn't call her anymore. She knew his training lasted a year or so and so she had no reason to fear for his safety. Yet. But nevertheless she couldn't help get worried at this utter lack of contact. This wasn't like Johnny at all. Frankly, he was rather overprotective and a bit bossy when it came to his sister, you couldn't really blame him for that after all they'd been through together. He was her big brother and he felt the need to protect her. Johnny wouldn't do this to her, leave her worrying, not without good reason. She searched through the pile of envelopes; two bills for Mike, some random leaflet on fostering (Who puts that through the door of a kids care home?) some window cleaners card, Carmen's magazine, a pizza menu and an envelope with the army emblem. It was addressed to Michael Milligan, May-Li Wang and Theresa Taylor. She sucked in a breath, that wasn't Johnny's handwriting and besides, he never called her Theresa.
Jonathan and Theresa were names they left behind long ago and though Johnny and Tee weren't really that different it felt better to be called the names they chose. At least they had chosen that one specific thing. They never chose for their mother to fall in love with Keith, they never chose to be abused and dumped here, they never even chose what they had for dinner or what to watch on TV because when they are so many people all wanting different things, not everyone can have what they want. Unfortunately it usually ended up being the Taylors.
Before Tee could open the letter it was snatched out her hand. "Ooh, what's this? Looks important." The owner of the voice was Jody. She examined the envelope and laughed. "Theresa! Theresa Taylor! That's almost as good as when we found out Elektra's name was Mandy Perkins!" Jody ran off into the living room and jumped onto the sofa, Tee screaming: "Jody Jackson you give that back right now! You hear me? That's mine!" Jody examined the envelope again.
"No it's not, it's addressed to 'Michael Milligan, May-Li Wang and Theresa Taylor!'" Laughed Jody putting on a ridiculous posh voice when she read out the names. "Either way, it's addressed to me! Jody, just let me have it." Tee begged. When the girl refused Tee said: "I'll buy you a bar of chocolate, a really big one."
"Ok, but I get to read it first!"
"Jody," whined Tee but it was too late, Jody was already opening the letter. Tee became aware that most of the others were in the living room, laughing at her situation. Jody read through the letter and jumped off the sofa. Her face changed to deadly serious and she looked Tee straight in the eyes.
"Johnny's been shot."
