Soda-

We sat for five hours around the house, waiting for that phone call. I answered the phone and heard the words "Jenny is pregnant, nine weeks (two months, 1 week pregnant). I told Jenny and Pony that Jenny was having a baby.

Jenny was in tears and I wasn't the one she needed to comfort her. I stayed strong for Jenny but a thousand different thoughts ran through my head. I didn't show emotion and had a new found respect for Superman. How could he stand tall and strong when all our losses hit hard? I now came to understand how he must have cried many tears and i all I could do was offer gentle words. A few hugs and gentle words wouldn't help Jenny with what she was going through.

A baby would be born in seven months, and Darry wouldn't be home for 9 more months. I sat with Jenny holding her close. I felt guilty, it should be Darry who should have his hands wrapped around Jen, holding her closely. They should be celebrating a new life, a unplanned life but still a little person was coming into the world. Instead, what should be a wonderful moment, Darry's first born and the first Curtis grand baby, was a nightmare.

We feared telling Darry the truth, that he was a daddy, because he would worry too much. We needed his mind to be focused on staying safe.I knew Darry and his thoughts would be with Jenny or the baby. We needed him to come home in one piece with the baby coming.

When Jenny had fell asleep, I grieved and sobbed for the things Darry would miss out on. The war would rob him of those little milestones and joys of fatherhood. Instead, I would view these things, only able to offer stories. But it wouldn't the same for Darry, not being here and in all.

Darry would miss watching Jenny's stomach grow and stretch to carry his child. He would miss the baby's first kick, that joy filled moment when your little baby because a little person. Darry would miss putting together a nursery and driving Jenny to the hospital to have her baby.

Darry would miss one of the most incredible moments in his life. I hated this war, I would rob Darry of those things. For it would my hand Jenny would hold in pain and my hands building the crib. This wasn't my first born , this was Darry's, something that supposed to special.

I cried for the things Dary would miss and the things he had missed. He missed so much his life taking care of others and not himself. I checked the mail and found five letters from Darry. Only late since he was miles and miles away. Darry should be at Arlington, Virginia for basic training at this point. Jenny was awake talking to Pony and they were discussing Pony's theme. Jenny had read it and it took her troubles off her mind, which brought peace to mine.

Jenny sat with Pony ,and Pony read the theme to her. She would listen, laugh, and smile as they read it. Pony smiled back easily and had fun teasing Jen. It was a gray sight to see. Jenny was relaxing anhe being herself.

"Hey guys, I got a few letters from Darry for all of us. How about we read one of them?", I ask

"Sure.", Pony says

"Please.", Jenny says

Dearest family: Soda, Pone , and Jenny (That doe in include my favorite boneheads, Steve and Two-bit.)

Things are going well here, I meet a man named Chris Fox, and we are becoming fast friends. You need someone whos got you back ,and that lesson was learned rather quickly. We got a crash course in how to be a solider, which included hair cuts, new nicknames (Serge's favorite are maggot and scum, I belive I've forgot my name, because he never uses it.), and lovely camp gurl.

I can't belive I'm saying this, I miss Soda's cooking. At least, I can I identify what Soda gives me most of the time. I'm starting to miss those weird colored foods.

I like the physical training we endure each day, I can actually keep up more than most men can which brings me a sense of 's not easy to keep up due to my recent injury but I'm superman after all.

We found out yesterday that we will be shipped out earlier than expected. They are low on men and needed more in Vietnam. We plan to leave in a few ways which I will be in Vietnam when you get this letter. I'm not sure about about going to Vietnam earlier than planned. We were supposed to have three months training and got one month's worth.

I hope all is well, keep writing me those letters. I'm proud of all you guys. Congrats on graduating top of your class Jen. I knew you could do it, just keep kicking butt. Pone, great job at the state track meet, you did just as I expected, maybe even better than I expected. Soda, I'm so proud of you, for everything, stepping up is a sign of you becoming the man I knew you would become.

Steve, keep an eye on Soda cause he's a dork and sometimes gets into trouble. Soda , balance Steve out, he needs you as much as you need him. Two-bit, you gobber, I'm so proud that you are graduating high school. You are always welcome to watch Mickey and eat chocolate cake just like a kid in our house.

I better get going. The Serge's going to make us run in the rain which I enjoy. I love marching or running while chanting those Marine Corps cadences. I love you all. I hope you all are doing well.

Semper Fi,

Superman