Tear Stained Letters

by LSMunch

This was the end of his childhood, the jungle of transition into adulthood that he had fought through. Lifting the first one from the pile, he noted the date, the worn paper, the water stains that had made the ink run a bit.

19. Letter 19

They could booby-trap everything. A cigarette package - anything - and leave it around. There was unbelievable terror of everything booby-trapped... -Tom Hagel, US Army

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John,

I'm sure Mom and Uncle Jake have written and told you this already, but he's coming to live with us for a while. Help out and stuff.

Your letter was great. Have you got a nickname? If so, what is it? I feel bad for Mark Abel, though. I bet his family is more worried about him than we are about you. Bruce sounds cool, as do Stanley and Danny. I wish I could meet your unit.

Mom mentioned that it was really hot over there. Has it cooled down any since it started raining? I hope so. Walking through a hot jungle doesn't sound that appealing. Then again, I imagine it's not that great in the rain either.

Oh, I gotta go. Sorry it's so short, but I wanted to write before going to sleep and now it's really late. I read your letter again, too, so that made it take longer.

Love,

Bernie