Tim- she dosen't own the Outsiders!
Me- Sad, but true :(
(Tim's POV)
It seems like I have been here for much longer than three months. I'm going crazy being so far from Tulsa, away from the swing of things. We just do marching drills and smoke from all I can tell, I can't wait for my tour to be over, so I can go home. Guys that have been here a while say that's not good thing, to want to get out already. But how are we supposed to finish a war, if we haven't fought in it yet? I'm playing poker with one of the guys in my unit. Wining some cash that I can't spend, we are given everything here. Boot camp is horrible. I nearly got in a fight with an upper ranking officer, the guy was a pain. I couldn't stand being up so early in the morning. Of course being yelled at and having to reply with "Sir, Yes sir!" didn't help make it easier. Middle Curtis would have fell over dead when they cut everyone's hair into a uniform flattop. It was hard getting used to my own refection; I looked like a model airman on the outside. I marched perfectly, straight-backed with an even step. I kept my uniform as clean as I can and I am always clean shaved. I follow my orders to a tee, and I took to flying like a duck to water. I hated everything about military life; I don't make friends easily and even though I do my job, I not use to not being in charge. Here comes the Sargent with the mail. Many of the guys got love letters, and we all picked at them about it.
Now it's my turn to get my letters. "Recruit Sheppard, you have letters!" "Yes Sir!" I shouted. The guys around looked excited, now everyone gets to here who there from. "Recruit Sheppard, you have four letters. They are as followed- one letter from a Charlie Sheppard, one from an Angela Sheppard, one letter from a Tulsa loves our service men and the last one is from a Dallas Winston. So my siblings sent me a letter each, and Dallas sent me a letter. I just throw the Tulsa loves our service men letter away. It's not anything important, everyone gets one. I look at the other three that lay on my bed, which one first? I guess Curly's, since it was the first one he named. I pick it up and rip open the top.
Dear Tim, 10-26-65
When are you going to be back home? The house is to quite without you, me and Angela just go on about our own life's. I have been having to cook, because you and I both know she can't. The house is a wreck: Angela hasn't cleaned since Dallas told her to last time he visited. I think she liked having someone to tell her what to do, like you would. The gang is kind of lost too, no one can run it like you.
Write me,
Curly
I knew that asking when I was coming back was as close to 'I miss you' as I was going to get with him. Just like when he said Write me it means 'I love you, let me know your okay' in his mind. I knew that he would have to cook, Angie burns everything. She can clean, she just doesn't like to and I bet its not a big of a mess as he said it was. Now I pick up my sisters letter. The second I rip the top, I smell the perfume she wears. What did she do, pour the whole bottle in there?! Anyway…
Dear Tim, 10-28-65
Whatever Curly told you in his letter is probably over-exaggerated. He told me that he would cook, which shocked me. He's not half bad, this morning he made scrambled eggs and they were delicious. The house is a little messy, and he is mad because I wouldn't wash his favorite shirt this morning. I have kept the dishes clean, and cleaned all of the rooms except Curly's. He kept it clean when you were here, he can keep it clean now don't you think? Dallas came by to check on us a last week, he said you made him. Thanks for that, nice to have someone in charge again. I really do miss you Tim, and I hope you write back when you get a chance.
Love,
Angie
She is probably right; he has a tendency to over-exaggerate little things. Glad to see Dallas kept his word. That's probably what his letter is about. Speaking of which…
Dear Tim,
Me and Darry got in a fight over where I'm going to be staying, I know I'm paralyzed but I can take care of myself, I'm not a child. I don't think he believes me after I got jumped by a Soc coming home from the hospital, don't worry Two Bit and Steve beat the guy pretty good. I'm staying with Darry tonight but I will check on the kids and the gang tomorrow. How's Vietnam? Do you make a good pilot?
By the way it's October 15th, 1965 7:00pm Tulsa time
Your buddy,
Dallas Winston
Then I saw an arrow on the corner of the page so I flipped it over, on the back in big letters I saw...
P.S.
DON'T
DO
ANYTHING
STUPID!
I was so mad; I nearly broke the pencil I was writing with. Who jumps a paralyzed guy?! If needs a place to stay, my room is open. So I wrote him…
Dear Dallas,
I'm sorry you got jumped; send me a description so I know whose butt to kick. If you ever need a place to stay, my room is yours. They like you coming over, keep it up. Your only seventeen that makes you look like a kid to Darry. Don't be so hard on the guy, he is trying to help. I'm still in Boot Camp, and yeah I make a great pilot. And I won't do anything I believe is stupid.
Your buddy,
Recruit Timothy Sheppard
Now it's lights out, I will write the other two letters tomorrow.
