Chapter 3

Dearest Aerith,
I hope you're well and safe back home. This last week has been so hectic but I'm making it through. I haven't seen any action yet, I'm still training for now, but I should be leaving sometime soon. The California weather has been wonderful and the beaches are excellent. When I come home the first thing I'm doing is learning to surf! If you want to write to me send your letter to 906 PROSPECT AVE
OAKLAND, CA 94610. We've been told if we want to write addresses they have to be in the middle of our letters to make it harder for our enemies to read if they intercept it. Our days are so busy that it's only now that I've been able to steal a few minutes to write to you and let you know things are alright. Anyway, I guess I'll say goodbye now.
Missing you.
Zack

P.S. I've met a soldier from your town, name's Cloud, he asked me to say tell Tifa he's thinking of her and will write soon.

I reread the letter he sent me again and again. Till my hands weren't shaking anymore. I'd been through such a crazy time, wondering if he would actually write, waiting for letters, a letter. Then thinking the worst, he didn't really care and I'd started to fall for someone who barely noticed me or that something had happened on his trip to America which... I didn't even want to think about it. Tifa has been so wonderful about it; covering for me at work, taking my shifts and keeping me company. Together Lili, Tifa, Rinoa and Misty have been great, we've all been helping each other so much. Rinoa's boyfriend Squall has been in the service for a while now, so she's gotten pretty used to it I guess and Misty and I have done a lot of crying together.

A tear hits my hand and I come back to the present. I wipe my eyes, again, and I smile. I can hardly wait to write back to him, but I figured work should come first. I put the letter into my apron pocket and make myself look busy for the next 3 hours.

Luckily Rinoa and Tifa keep an eye on me so I don't end up making too large a mess of the day. Soon as I can I hang back up my apron for Lili, who's coming to take my place, and rush off to meet Misty for our regular lunch.

I walk around to a small restaurant/cafe/club called 'Lil' panda's'. I look and see a familiar red head sitting at our normal booth. She waves as I walk over. I sit down, seeing a chocolate thick-shake already ordered, with a strawberry thick-shake on her side. Since our chance meeting we'd become quite good friends.

"Guess what I got in the mail" I start

Misty's eyebrows rise quizzically as she drinks.

"I got a letter from Zack" The smile on my face probably lighting the room at this point.

I get out my letter and we talk and get exited and make plans for what we want to do with our respective (prospective) boyfriends when they come back.

A few hours later I finally make it home and have the time to sit and write a letter back to him. I take some pale pink paper with a simple deep pink boarder and in the soft light of a bedside lamp and begin to write...

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dear Zack,
I hope... so much, but mostly that you're safe and well. Things here have been quiet and everyone's well here. I'm already counting the days until you'll be back here and safe. My friend Rinoa said to take the days one at a time, so that's how it's been. I imagine you've done so many interesting things in America and when your back here I want to hear about them all. Cloud's a good guy, you two should get along well. It's hard to believe that by the time you'll get this it'll have been a month since you left. Thinking of you,
Aerith

As the cold sea breeze blows through the cracks in the helicopters coating I read through Aerith's letter a last time before the command to prepare for contact in Vietnam finally came. Like flicking a switch the mood changes. I clear my mind and prepare to make use of all the training we've had. But even as my mind goes clear Aerith's letter stays in my chest pocket. Protecting my heart.

And we land.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dear Aerith,
Firstly, I'm well. We landed here two weeks ago, and I just got your letter yesterday. The fighting's a lot worst here, but don't worry, no bullet has my name on it. Whenever it's getting rough I think back to the day at the pier with you, and think of your smile and I'm alright. Honestly, I haven't told any of the guys I'm fighting beside, but the more of this war I see, the scarier it gets... and the more contacts I'm in the more I wonder how I'll be coming home. I'm not saying this to scare you, that's the last thing I want to do. You're just someone I feel like I can talk to. Everyone's scared here, your nuts if your not, we just don't talk about it. Anyway, in short, I'm well and counting the days till I see your face again.
Missing you more,
Zack the fair
P.S. The sweets you sent up with your letter have been a godsend.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dear Zack,
It's hard to believe it's been nearly a year since we met now. I've saved all your letters. Cloud got back yesterday and we're all on tender hooks about it, since he's been diagnosed officially with post traumatic stress disorder, and the pain from the wound on his leg never helps. Tifa's doing her best for him and we are hoping we'll have our normal Cloud back with us soon. I hope everyone's well where you are, and the sweets I've sent should help the time pass too. Missing you and I can't wait to see you soon.
Aerith.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dear Aerith,
Well my division are going into an area where we won't be able to write for a while. So don't worry, soon as I can I'll write back and let you know that I'm doing fine ok? Wish Cloud the best from me, and everyone else here; we're all hoping he gets back to himself soon. Well the billy's boiled now... so I'll write to you when I can.
Zack
P.S. I love you

I repeat the last three words in my head over and over and over. Hoping that that alone will ensure he will come home safely.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dear Zack,
I know you probably won't get this letter for a long while, but I couldn't help myself. I hope you're still well. I walked down to the pier today and picked another flower from the place you picked one for me the day we met. Soldiers are slowly coming home. I really hope you'll come back to me safe and sound really soon.
Aerith
P.S. I love you too.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dear Zack,
I know I should try being patient and you probably haven't got my last letter yet, much less had a chance to reply, but I thought I'd write again. I've added some more sweets for you to eat and share since I hear the rations aren't particularly tasty. Just come home safe and I'll make whatever food you want. Please, just come home safe.
Love Aerith.