Dear Jem
I hope you're still there, I'm pretty sure you are, you've always been stronger. How's the marriage with Faith going? Is still her you're in love with? I remember you told it was her you wanted to age with. Is our family still together? I wanted to thank you, you've always been the best, my best friend and my example, I've always wanted to be brave like you, but I was thinking I wasn't enough. Do you think I'm brave enough? I went to war, like you did. You know, here in France there aren't much people with red hair so every time I get caught out of guard and think they're you. Sometimes I look at the moon and I hope you're looking it too, so we're connected.
Write me soon,
Walter Cuthbert Blythe
Jem couldn't believe it. His brother was alive.
Jem was sit next to Jerry, they were talking, waiting for the announces. Every evening, through a loudspeaker, a commander said the names of the soldiers who didn't make it and everyone, as a sign of respect, made a minute of silence, in their memory. Alphabetic order, Jem and Jerry only listened to the letters who had somebody they care about. That evening the "B" was doing great, but Jem found himself praying, in his head there were just three words "Please not Walter". Jerry looked at him worried, he didn't understood at first
"Blythe Walter Cuthbert, Curcellette, France."
Jem was horrified, how could somebody killed him? He didn't wanted to accept it, his best friend died, the little toddler he helped growing up was dead. Jem couldn't help but blame himself, he wanted to be a better example, he promised himself he'll be the best big brother for Shirley as soon as he come back.
Jem heard a noise, got out of his room and found Shirley busy, looking for something on a map. He immediately understood "That's too small to be found on a maps like that"
His brother looked at him, how could their parents create three brothers so different?
