…When Rafe died, a part of me died, too. His plane had been shot down in England over the ocean, and no body had been retrieved. I needed Danny then, to make everything better. He wrote me twice a day for the first month after Rafe's death, letters filled with grief and anxiety, and with an air of homesickness that I somehow wished I could cure. I sat around at home for three months, basking in my permanent vigil for Rafe. Then Danny's letter came...


I eagerly rushed it inside the house-- Danny hadn't written in about a week and I needed his words to calm my nerves. My heart hit the floor as I read what he wrote.

"My Little Susie,

I don't know what's happened. Things here are moving so fast, and I'm longing for the comfort of home. But there's something I need to tell you, something I have to tell you because I care about you. I'm falling in love with Evelynn, the same Evelynn that Rafe was in love with. I can't help this, Suze, you have to forgive me. I still want you to come visit me in a month or so, I still love you too. I'm just confused, really really confused-and I need you here with me to help me figure this out. I love you Susie. Please write back.

Yours,
Danny"


My pen had acid for ink as I wrote back, sobbin' the entire time.

"Danny Boy,

You can't love us both, you know. I'm still gonna visit you…but don't expect me to enjoy your company you son of a bitch. I loved you Danny Walker and you promised me you'd love me forever. And now this? Evelynn? RAFE'S Evelynn? What is hell is wrong with you? I think I may hate you Danny. I'm almost sure I do. I'll see you in a few months.

Regards,
Susie"

"Stupid jerk," I muttered, tears streaming down my face as I shoved the letter into the mailbox.
I had two months before I saw Danny again, and that meant two months before I met Evelynn. Hawaii would already be hot, but if I had my way I'd leave it scorched.