'Dear Geovana.' Hm, maybe a little too formal.
'Hey Geo!' No, that's way too hippie even for her.
Harris sighed, resting his head back against the crate he was sitting on, his head lightly smacking back with a thump. His eyes stretched out over the airbase to the parked F-100s, A-7D's, Skyraiders, F4's and a few C-123's, looking for nothing in particular, just something to look at to take his mind off of this fucking letter. Elwington had been going around to everyone and asking them if they'd write a few letters home or at least something. Most of the platoon were already doing that but it was mainly aimed at people like now Sergeant Harris and a handful of others.
He hated writing letters. Even in boot he didn't like it. He was a very, 'I'll tell you when I'm there,' type of guys. He didn't like people to worry and sure, not writing anything is the biggest worry, especially in a warzone but with what he's seen over the last three months? He didn't want Geovana or Kassy to worry. He sighed and brought his hand to his face, pinching the cuticles between his eyes, shaking his head.
Come on. Man the fuck up and just write the fucking letter.
He dropped his hand and looked down at the blank piece of paper sitting on his map book, only four words sat on it, 'Dear Geovana and Kassy.' He scrunched up his face, hesitating before sighing and shaking his head.
'I am doing well. Or as well as could be presumed under the circumstances. We've been out in the field maybe seven or so times and it never gets easier. We've suffered a few casualties, one of those being a death. Lions. He was a good man-'
Harris stopped, shaking his head, scratching that out.
'-he was a great man. So far our missions have been search and destroy which is army lingo for go in and blow shit up and kill any motherfucker who isn't friendly and so far it's gone pretty well. I can not lie to you, being under fire is scary, and that will be the only time I'll actually confess I've been scared, but giving it back is just as good.'
He nodded his head and looked out over the airfield once more before looking back.
'We have some of the best technology here in Da Nang and I'm sure we're giving those commie bastards one hell of a headache with the amount of flights taking off. I'll try and bring you two back a souvenir when my Tour wraps up in 10 months but I can't lie, I've chosen already to reenlist as soon as my time stateside is over. I hope the pension you're getting is enough to get Kassy through school and enough to keep my mother and Tom off your backs. With love, Harris.'
He held the pencil on the stop, staring at his words, soaking them in, Jesus Christ he was a sappy prick when he wanted to be. He nodded and folded the piece of paper and slipped it into the envelope that hung out the side of his map book. Next stop the base post office. He swung his legs off the crates and dropped down, smoothing out his uniform and looking around, a few airmen making their way out of the hanger side door caught his attention, a Lieutenant and a Captain. Harris came to attention and gave a salute, the two doing the same as they walked passed before he turned and made his way off around the hanger to the hopefully still there jeep.
Lucky enough it was. Sitting there just where he'd parked it. Being a senior NCO has its perks, he chuckled to himself before getting in and turning the ignition, putting it into gear and taking off.
Da Nang hadn't had too many incidents like the one three months ago at the front gate. Maybe a few shots from the hills close by or even sparse mortar attacks but those gooks often got whooped before they could even relocate. He turned off to his right, spotting the familiar post office, a nice line of enlisted standing out the front, all eager to post their mail. Pulling into the row of jeeps and switching off the engine he stepped out, taking the letter from his top pocket and stared down at it, nodding his head before turning and leaning on the hood of the jeep, writing an address and standing, making his way to the line.
It didn't take long for the line to shrink which was a good thing. Normally the mail lines would take forever as they were understaffed but after the last rotation and a kick up of troops the mailroom was stocked so things were flying pretty quick. Finally getting inside the long olive drab and off yellow building Harris looked around, he hadn't really been in the post office that many times, he could probably count on just one hand. He'd come in shortly after they'd arrived, then had to escort Foreshire here when he got lost. Stupid fuck there were signs literally everywhere for it.
His eyes scanned over the lobby which was pretty large and looked like the rural post office he'd had to trek to when he was in Korea as a kid. That off-light-blue floor, off-light-green wooden panels that went up to a cut off on the lightly faded yellow walls that were dotted with boards, each having flyers and all that on them along with sign ups for whatever. In the middle sat two what almost looked like church pues with the little cut off boxed areas having wooden chairs. Not quite sure why they were there, nobody really waited here, well this was a civilian airport at one point. His eyes went to the counters, all open and each section manned by a SPC/3 at least.
He shifted up again, looking down at the letter and dropping his head back, letting out a sigh. Jesus Christ he couldn't wait to get the letter back of Geo, absolutely losing her shit at him because she read too much into his words. It was the same with everyone else on base telling their girl or parents they'd gotten into a firefight, always having heart attacks. It was the same when he was a kid when his dad was deployed in Korea and he was in Japan or the Philippines, the occasional letter his mom would get that his station had taken some rifle fire from across the border or they'd stop some infiltrators scared her right to the bone. He'd watched her drink herself stupid many nights after those letters.
He looked back down and noticed he was next. No empty counters. Sick.
He shoved his hands into his pockets and reached down, grabbing the packet of Newports and his lighter, which he'd ingeniously duct taped to the back of the pack facing out at an angle. He flicked open the packet and shook it, nabbing the first one he saw with his lips before turning the packet and flicking open the zippo and striking it. First try. He held it to the flame for a second, sucking on the stick before blowing the smoke out of his nose and closing the lid with a satisfying clink, shoving his cigarette packet-lighter combo back into his ODs.
He took another drag, making sure to hold it this time before blowing it out. A private stepped away from one of the counters and the clerk on the other side signalled him over, Harris took no time as he stepped over, pulling the letter out and putting it on the counter, "One to mail."
The clerk took it and slide it across, flipping it over to look at the address, "Right, 2000 Dong." He looked up to Harris.
Jesus Christ. He reached up into his top right hand pocket and unbuttoned it, taking out the nice stack of earning he'd gotten from last nights game. The SPCs eyes practically lit up, a coy smirk coming to his face, "But I could probably get it there faster if 'ya slide me an extra 3." He leaned on the counter.
Little fucker. Harris reached over the counter and put his hand on the letter, making the stripes on his arm very pronounced, "You tryin' to extort an NCO?" He raised his brow. The SPCs eyes shrunk and he could have sworn he'd immediately started sweating.
"Sorry Sergeant." He took the letter, placing it into the SEND box next to him.
"Yeah, fuckin' better be you little shit." He took the original sum of money and practically threw it in his face. "Who's your CO?"
"L-Lieutenant Graves in the back." The clerk gestured to the red door that read MAILROOM. Harris narrowed his eyes before locking onto the name tag on the SPCs beige uniform.
"Right then, Specialist 3 Myers. I own you now motherfucker. If I get one wind of you extorting I'll have you not only on a charge with your CO and the MPs, but I'll have you on mail duty in Con Thien. Got me?" The SPC took no time in acknowledging that and with Harris now assured his threat was taken seriously he stepped away and made his way out.
Cocky little prick.
Geovana sighed as she looked down at the bills that sat in front of her. Harris's army payments were enough, 211 dollars every month plus extra as he was looking after, so it added up to around 251 dollars. But as she looked around the apartment she sat in, she sighed, dropping her head into her hands and shaking her head. It wasn't much. 40 dollars for rent which was pretty expensive and considering they were staying in San Diego it was cheap. Maybe it was the army discount.
Geovana could have taken the USMC's overseas living in an effort to stay close to Harris when he was on leave as he'd only get to be stateside maybe once a year, mostly spending the rest of that time in Japan or Korea. But she'd chosen to stay in the states, one for her family and two for Kassy. She knew that such a change would be a slap to the face and she'd probably reject it all so instead they were here.
Of course she could have stayed on base somewhere but in all honesty shouldn't. It would drive her absolutely insane being around all those military wives and she was only his girlfriend for fucks sakes. She looked down at the small mountain and sighed. She'd added it all up for this month, it would be around 190 in total for maybe 60 dollars for groceries and maybe something for Kassy if she really had the money.
She shifted through the letters before stopping on one. It was a little dirty and was an off color like it was stained. She picked it up and reached across to the mail opener, reading the pencil, a small smile coming to her face recognising Harris's handwriting. She cut across the top of the letter and took out the letter and unfolded it, her eyes scanning over the words. A whole series of emotions washed over her but she knew that he was alright. He laid down the letter and chuckled, shaking her head before looking out the window, the blinds swaying in the wind. The busy noise of the street coming up to her and filling the apartment.
At least I'll have something to tell Kassy...
During the war, writing letters were often the hardest times for soldiers. Receiving them was often hard as well for family, friends and whomever else they were addressed to. Sometimes they would come with good news and other times they would come with bad. As the war continued and things worsened, soldiers often had their letters censored or changed as they attempted to describe the horrors they were faced with and the absolute loss the war seemed to be. By the end of the war, those who had stayed became robotic and distant. Letters were a time of reflection and the terms soldiers and family had to come to often broke them.
I hope this chapter was enjoyable as I had a little bit of a hard time on what exactly to write on so I decided this. Hope you're enjoying this and I'm eager for feedback.