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Chapter 7

Show And Tell

Bobby stared at the colorful paper for a moment, tapping the pen against his chin.

'Dear Alex,.....'

The pen moved across the elegant paper like a professional skater on ice. His usual scrawling turned into a flourish. Laying the pen down, he smiled as he read his letter. That should do it. He carefully folded the letter and placed it in the envelope. Just as he finished addressing the envelope, Elbert threw the door open. "Hey Bo.u...b...Bobby!"

Goren looked towards the door. Higgins hung on to the door knob as he tried to close the door, slowly his body sunk to the floor, ending up half in and half out of their room. Bobby sighed. "Have a good time, corporal?" He didn't bother hiding his sarcasm.

Elbert raised an arm, twirling a finger in the air. "Woo Hoo!"

Shaking his head, Bobby walked to the spot where his roommate laid. "Come on, give me your hand."

As he raised it, he hiccuped. "Hi-ya Bobby! Did you decide to come and join the fun."

"Yeah, Higgins, couldn't miss out on this fun." He reached down and grabbed the young man's hand, pulling him to his feet. Just as Elbert's knees began sinking back to the floor, Bobby pulled Elbert's arm over his shoulder. Putting his other arm around Higgins' waist, Goren quickly directed him to his bunk.

Pushing the corporal down on his bed, Goren swung his feet on the bunk. He stared down at the already passed out man. Shaking his head again, he went back to the table, securing the envelope and putting the box away. He looked towards his roommate's bunk again, wondering what wild tales the corporal will be telling tomorrow.

______________________________

Ms. Peevy looked around the classroom. "Anyone receive a letter?"

Alex was just beginning to pull her letter out from beneath the book cover when Scott jumped out of his seat waving his letter in the air. "I got one Ms. Peevy! I got one!"

Kristine smiled. "Where is your letter from, Scott?"

The young man beamed, drawing in a big breath before responding. "It's from Germany, Ms. Peevy."

Alex frowned, gently pushing the envelope back into it's hiding place. She watched as Ms. Peevy put a pin into Germany, then holding the map up for all to see. She looked around the room. "Anyone else?"

Several of the students looked around the room to see if anyone else had. No one else stood up. Alex bit her lower lip, wondering if she was making a mistake in not standing up. She looked at Scott's face. It's his time. She smiled slightly, realizing that keeping her letter a secret felt right and warm inside.

Ms. Peevy glanced at Alex. Her serene face puzzled her. "Alex, you haven't received a letter yet?"

Alex shook her head. "No, no Ms. Peevy."

Kristine nodded, but not quite understanding her demeanor. She then turned her attention to Scott. "Well, Scott, who did you receive your letter from?"

He quickly moved to the front of the class, stopping he turned and pushed his glasses up. "I received a letter from Corporal Elbert Higgins. He is from Des Moines, Iowa."

Scott removed something from the envelope. "He sent me some German stamps and a Deutsch Mark."

He proudly held them up for all to see. There was a murmur among the students. Ms. Peevy smiled. "Very nice Scott. You're one of the first that received anything from a serviceman."

Alex scowled. Yeah, right! She began moving her head side to side, slightly mimicking Kristine with her mouth. Catching the youth in her antics, Ms. Peevy glared at Alex. "Do you have something to share, Alexandra?"

Her head snapped to a standstill. Feeling her face slightly burning, she looked at her teacher. "No ma'am."

__________________________________________

Rubbing his hands over his face, Higgins moaned. "When did I get home last night?"

Bobby walked over, handing him a stout cup of coffee. "Not too late, but from your behavior, it appeared you had tried to power drink again."

Elbert took a sip of the hot liquid, raising his bleary eyes to look at Bobby. "If I said anything stupid, I apologize."

Chuckling, Bobby shook his head. "No more than usual." He nodded towards the cup. "You better drink up."

Nodding, Higgins took a quick swallow of the brown liquid. "So, did you finish your letter?"

"Yeah."

"How many more of those are you going to write?"

Bobby shrugged. "Haven't really decided."

Elbert laughed, stopping, he grabbed his head and moaned. "Are you going to write until she hits legal age?"

Grabbing up a shoe, Bobby lobbed it at the suffering corporal. Higgins fell back on his bunk, begging mercy for his head. Picking up the letter, he headed towards the MPO. As he walked across the compound, he tilted his head. Just how many letters are you planning to write, Goren?

___________________________________

Alex flung the back door open, careful to close it behind her. She glanced at the table and sighed. No letter. I was right, he isn't going to write again. Sighing she grabbed a cookie and went to her bedroom. Stretching out on her belly, she began munching on her cookie. Maybe, he's busy? Maybe, he was transferred? Or just he doesn't have time for a kid.

She took a vicious bite of her cookie, half growling as she thought of Scott. Turning over on her back she looked at the ceiling. Well, he did send stationery. If he sent stationery, that means he does plan on writing. Right? Finishing the cookie, she put her arms behind her head thinking what it would be like in a strange place, away from her family. I wouldn't like it. Wouldn't like it one bit.

Pushing herself up to the edge of her bed, she stared at her feet. Lifting her head, her eyes fell on the box of stationery. Biting her lip, she went to her desk and opened the box. Smiling, she ran her hand lightly across the top sheet. It does make you want to write. Pulling the chair out she sat down, removing the top sheet, she sat poised with pen in hand, collecting her thoughts.

'Dear Bobby....'

__________________________________________

The red haired Private accepted the letter from Goren. The young man drawled out his words. "Another letter, Sergeant? Are you adopting this girl?"

Bobby glared at the freckled face man. Before he could find the words to answer, Private Post grinned, pulling a colorful envelope out from underneath the counter. "Because, she seems to have adopted you." His voice held a light sarcasm.

He snatched the letter from his hands and turned without responding. Walking out the door, he slightly smiled. She received the stationery. Tucking the envelope in his pocket, he lighted patted it. He passed his quarters and went directly to the mess hall. Getting a cup of coffee, he found an empty table. Leaning back in his chair he glanced around the room, no one seemed interested in his presence. Taking the letter from his pocket, he carefully opened it.