It was two weeks since I got that letter. That means the day had finally come! I was so excited to see my Andrew. I had planned a small homecoming party. Only six or so people were there, including Kevin's ecstatic wife and her kids, Andrew and Kevin's parents, and myself.
I had gotten everything together when I heard a scream of delight, followed by a, "they're here! they're here!" from Kevin's wife. We all ran into the driveway as a worn-out camouflaged dune buggy pulled upon the side of the road. Kevin stepped out of the car with his few belongings in one hand and what looked to be a letter in the other. No one else stepped out. Screams of delight erupted as Kevin's wife saw her long-lost husband. They embraces. I, my now very pregnant self, just stayed still, watching the car.
After a moment, I say, "Where's Andrew?" I'm extremely confused. Right as I say that, Kevin pulls away from his wife with a sullen defeated look on his face. He walked solemnly over to me without looking me in my eyes. Now, I understand.
"No," I said repeatedly. Tears ruined my vision.
"Juli, I'm so sorry," I heard Kevin say. I lost control of myself as I began to wrap my mind around what had happened. My knees buckled from under me, and I nearly fell to the ground. Luckily, Kevin caught me. I buried myself in his chest, and he let me sit there for a while, crying my eyes out.
"It was a week ago. We were attacked at night," Kevin said while patting my shoulder with sympathy.
"No. . no. .no. .no," I kept saying.
"He was shot in the chest. He tried so hard, but he couldn't.. he didn't make it." With that note, Andrew's mother raced towards the house, trying to contain her crying.
"He promised.." I whispered.
Kevin tried to calm me down. It didn't really worked, but after some time of trying to get control over myself again, he said, "he wanted me to give you this." I pulled away from Kevin as he handed me the letter. It was crumpled and dirty. Kevin said, "He wrote this after his friend, Seth, was shot. He said if anything ever happened to him to give this to you."
I slowly nodded and took the letter. Seeing his writing on the worn envelope sent on more tears, and I turned and walked toward the house in a daze. I started to climb up the stairs and heard Andrew's mother sobbing. It made me cringe. Not wanting to hear any more, I ran. I ran into our bedroom, locked the door, and sat down on the bed for a moment.
"Why, Andrew, Why?" I managed to say between sobs, "You promised."
I pulled out two sheets of paper from within the envelope and was stricken by the writing that was so familiar.
My Dear Juliana-
I began to read it aloud. Among starting, I thought I felt a slight pressure on my right hand. I gasped at the sight of a somewhat dreamlike and transparent hand on top of mine. I looked up to see the eyes of the man I thought I would never see again. Andrew. He was still in his camouflaged army uniform but his eyes were no longer filled with fear. His mouth grew into a tight line as he motioned me to continue reading the letter. I didn't have the strength or the courage to read it myself. My Andrew began to read the letter himself while I sat silently watching him.
"My Dear Julianna," he read. "If you're reading this my Mama's sitting there. Looks like I only got a one way ticket over here. I sure wish I could give you one more kiss, and war was just a game we played when we were kids. Well I'm laying down my gun and I'm hanging up my boots, I'm up here with God and we're both watching over you.
I let you down, and I'm so sorry. How I wish I could see you one last time, but unfortunately that isn't in the cards for me. But always know that I am with you, we may be a thousand miles apart, but I'll always be with you, watching over you with the angels in heaven. Though I can tell you none of them will be able to compare to your beauty. Take care of our baby Juli, you're going to be a great mom, and look after Kevin and his wife for me. And always remember that I love you, you are my life, and I am proud to call you my wife. We'll see each other soon, but until then, take care of yourself. And remember, death cannot stop true love, it can only delay it for a while.
Forever yours-
Andrew"
I looked down for a moment and looked back to see my true love gone. It brought on a fresh wave of tears.
