18 Months

by Lo Lovely

Alfred is a Vietnam soldier drafted to go fight for the war. He writes letters to Matthew, his boyfriend of two years about his experience at Vietnam how he has to fear for his life everyday and Matthew writes back his love to keep his hero safe. 2p Characters are in in. Matt is 2p Canada, and Vinnie is 2p America. Co-written with my best friend Nikki.

5. May 18, 1968

May 18, 1968

Dear Matthew,

Right now, we're about to leave the training place to go to Khe Sahn. This place is scary at night I heard. Once you're in combat, nighttime is the real wartime. These V.C. People (short for Vietcong) are really tricky. They disguise themselves as ordinary farmers but you can never know which one is which. This war is a little stupid you know. Honestly my if there was a reason why I would be fighting is because of the kids here. We're going to protect their future.

After all, we got to stop communism here.

Anyway, enough about me I want to talk about you. How are you? Is school doing well? If not, flee to Canada! If you ever flunk out of college, you'll be sent to the next port. You're lucky that your parents have all the money to send you to college while I'm here, an orphan serving the poor man's war. Your brother says that he was born too early. He wished that he could've married someone sooner, but instead he's here fighting this war in the name if freedom. Who am I kidding? I don't see anything here that promotes freedom. Even if I'm not in battle, we could still hear the distant sounds of bombs and gunshots.

Baby I miss you. When I get home, will you make me pancakes? I miss them so much. As soon as I get home, we will make love all day and all night. I miss the feeling of your touch. I love you baby. When I look up at the stars, I wonder if you're seeing what I'm seeing. It makes me feel closer to you.

I miss you and I love you.

Love always,

-Alfred Jones.

P.S. I got your kool-aid. Thanks a bunch!