Free Lost Dreams by Jude Ouvrard

rang. My heart was beating fast and I couldn’t control the smile on my face.
    When she answered, I couldn’t control myself. ''Baby!'' I yelled with enthusiasm. ''Avery! My shining star!''
    She was laughing and it felt so good to hear that sound. ''How are you doing, husband?'' she asked through her laughter.
    ''I’m better now. I'll be able to call and email you now. The order's been lifted.''
    ''Finally! That’s wonderful news!'' She took a deep breath and I could tell that the stress and anxiety of not being able to talk to me was lifting. ''How is everything over there? What are you guys up too?''
    I hated that she asked the question, because even though she used to be part of this, I wasn't able to tell her. ''I can't talk about it, baby. You know the rules.''
    ''Right. I know.''
    ''I miss you, Avery. Are you still hanging out with Megan?''
    ''Yeah, we're always together. It seems like we do everything together." She giggled. "Shopping, buying groceries, taking walks. We get along great.''
    'That's wonderful. I’m so happy that you found a friend. I always thought Megan was a nice woman.''
    ''She's done miracles with me, Carter, you wouldn’t believe it.  Megan is like my savior around here. She's helping me so much with my nightmares about the bombing. I love her.''
    ''Are you saying you love her more than me?'' I teased.
    ''I will never love anyone more than I love you, Carter Lewis. I miss you like crazy. I miss you walking around the house in nothing but your underwear. I miss your scent on our bed sheets. I miss every single thing when you're not with me.''
    Her voice was breaking and I was worried that she was about to cry. ''Ave, don't cry. I meant it to be a joke. I'm happy for you and I miss everything about you. I can't wait to hold you in my arms again.''
    ''Soon baby, soon.''
    We talked for another thirty minutes. My brain memorized every single word which left her lips. When we hung up, I went back to my bunk and replayed everything she'd said to me. Life was beautiful, she was beautiful.
    I couldn't resist it, I had to email her now even though we'd just talked on the phone. I felt so much better now I'd be able to talk to her more easily.
    To: Avery Lewis
    From: Carter Lewis
    Date: 08/30/2007
    Subject: Hey wife!
    I just wanted to say hi again. You can email me as much as you want. I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can. It's not always easy but I'll love reading your emails and you know I'll always be thinking about you.
    I love you, shining star,
    Carter xxx
    I left the computer with a big smile plastered on my face, knowing this deployment had just gotten much easier to cope with. Still, I wished I could go back home sooner and surprise her.
    I missed my beautiful wife.

12.
September 19th, 2007
Remy
    T o: Jeremy Taylor
    From: Avery Lewis
    Date: 19/09/2007
    Subject: Hey soldier!
    Remy,
    I was so happy to get your call yesterday. I miss our daily talks and your good spirit. You sounded great and I’m glad to hear you're still loving the Special Forces.
    I'm supposed to spend the day with Megan, Juliet and Megan's mother. She is in town for a couple of days. I haven't met her yet, but from what Megan said she seems like a nice and caring mother. Which brings me to your parents, have you talked to them recently? They’re great, I miss them.
    I haven’t talked to my parents a lot lately. Not since they didn’t show up at our wedding. Mom left me another message the other day, saying she had a migraine on the day we got married and couldn't come. I’m their only child! They couldn't even be bothered with coming to my wedding! I’m still angry and I'm not ready to talk to them about it. I'm not sure I'm ready to talk to them at all.
    Enough with the negatives.
    I found the gift I’m going to give Carter for Christmas. It's a gold bracelet, I saw it at the mall in Fayetteville. It's a simple Figaro chain but for some reason, I could totally see it on his wrist. I hope he will like it.
    I