It was November, and the letter that Erin told BJ and Peg to expect finally arrived.
BJ held the envelope in his hands, the name Margaret Houlihan written elegantly on the front. Besides what Erin had told him through letters, he hadn't heard of or from Margaret since the day they left Korea. He never got her address, and she never came to any reunions.
But after all these years he finally held her word in his hands.
Dear BJ,
Truth be told, I had no clue how to start this letter. I went through plenty of drafts, enough to fill my trash can... twice. It's just been so long I've forgotten how to say hello to one of my closest friends. Well, I don't know that I can say closest considering we haven't spoken with one another in over ten years. And I'm sorry. My life has been so busy, from hospitals to Vietnam... and to tell the truth, I just wanted to forget Korea. But now that I'm in Vietnam, I realize you can't just simply forget a war. Nor can you simply forget the friends you left. I never really did forget about anyone from the 4077th. And in Vietnam there are so many reminders, too many to count. I don't mean to sound rude, but the worst reminder of all is your little girl.
She looks so much like you, it's almost like I'm back in Korea, and I'm simply working alongside you like old times; except you don't have a mustache. Some days she exhausts me with her pranks and her wit, but I often find myself full of pride watching her work. She really does take after you.
I hope that all is well for you and Peg. I plan on writing to Charles since Erin gave me his mailing address. And if you could send me the addresses of anyone else from the 4077th, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Your friend,
Margaret Houlihan