Free Dear Soldier Boy by Maxwell Tibor

able to reach out to you and say something that would discourage you from communicating with me? Maybe it was just a harmless question. Maybe he was going to try and look out for you. I don’t know. But I didn’t tell him your last name.
    Back to your question, can I handle the idea of being told that you no longer exist on this earth? That’s a horrible question to ask, by the way. How is someone supposed to answer it? Tell you that I’d be okay, that I’d move on with my life and find someone else? I can’t even comprehend that, Matthew. Not at all. I can’t answer your question and I won’t.
    And I know there is that possibility. Despite my self-control of fifty hours from not checking my email, I haven’t stopped watching C-SPAN. The idea of anything happening to you frightens me. Anything. But it’s not so strong that it rules over the love. Yes, love that I have for you. I hadn’t said it before, because I didn’t want to. I loved that you said love to me as you closed your email. It made my heart dance for days. But I wasn’t ready to say it back. Not because I didn’t feel it, because I did. I think it’s obvious that I did, and if it wasn’t, then you weren’t paying attention. But I think you were, and I think you did know, and I’m guessing that’s why you didn’t question it. And I appreciate that. I wanted to be able to say it when I was ready, and I am.
    Matthew, I love you. More than I have ever loved anyone. My love for you is stronger than my fear of losing you. And for the record, just because you are in a war zone, it doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t die first. That is a possibility; have you seen the drivers in DC? They are crazy. Horribly crazy. But enough about that.
    I had no idea that you climbed mountains to overcome your fear of heights. That is incredible and interesting on so many levels. I want to go climbing with you. I imagine making it to the top and you kissing me. Really kissing me. Like a kiss that I would never forget.
    I’m sorry to say, but you telling me that you imagined me while enjoying yourself doesn’t scare me away in the least. If anything, it excites me and makes me even more excited about actually being with you. IRL. Not just emails and letters. I want to really meet you and know you in real life. I want to know what your pet peeves are and if you’re messy. What are your favorite foods (besides peanut butter and Nutella)?
    Now that we have gotten the idea of no us out of the way, let’s up the ante. Tell me when you are coming back because I know you know the date.
    With Love, Your Civilian Girl,
    Vivian
    P.S. I’m attaching a photo of me and your roses. I hope you enjoy and promise not to share it with anyone else. XX
     
    Chapter Fourteen
    From: [email protected]

Sent: 3/1/16 2:15

To: [email protected]

Dear Civilian Girl,

You are killing me. Really and truly, like the enemy could employ you as a secret weapon. Is that your top-secret job? Honey-trapping horny soldiers? Cause I got to say, you’re doing an amazing job. That picture. Damn, woman. Just. Damn.

I knew you were beautiful but, wow. Whole new level. Next time, you might consider waterproofing it, so it can be wiped clean you know, in case it gets, um, stuff on it.

Don’t worry, Civilian Girl. I’m not showing anyone that picture. It’s just for me. And thank you for it. That picture stays with me at all times.

Now, on to Mark. I need his full name, rank, and number. No need for Ironics font this time. I’m going to check him out. Of course I am, how can I not?

He just happened to be at the race? I’m going to go ahead and call bullshit on that one. He was there because he wants you. The guys at the gym, wanting to help you with your hand position, they want you. Men are simple creatures that way. You’ve seen you, right? Of course they want you.

Let me tell you how things will play out with Mark. There will be another coincidence, where he just