July 9, 1969
Dear Bo,
Luke leaned back against the pillow and tried to figure out what he was going to tell his family. There were things you just had never thought you'd have to tell your family. He didn't know how to do it, but parts of the same family had made it very clear what would happen if he did not. Granted it was more Daisy, but he still had to tell all of them, and how was he supposed to do that?
I guess yer thinking that if I'm writing again this soon it's something bad happened. I don't want ya to get all worked up an' worried Bo, 'cause there ain't no reason fer it.
He sighed and rubbed a hand over his eyes, suddenly this felt like one of the hardest things he had ever done.
It's just I promised y'all I'd tell ya if I got hurt, and well, I did, a little. Not bad Bo, before ya go thinking something, I'm writing ya ain't I, so ya had better believe that it ain't bad. No matter what yer thinking. I know ya sometimes think the worst, but there ain't no need here.
I got a graze in my side that kinda chipped a rib a bit, so even if it hurts it ain't dangerous.
He was lucky and he knew it, it wasn't dangerous at all. What more was that he would have been granted leave in a few months, and since he was now pulled from active duty for a little time he had asked if he could possibly have it now instead of later. Given what Daisy had written he felt as if he should be home, and Bo would need it too. If he couldn't do any real duty for a few weeks until his cracked and chipped rib healed anyway, he might as well spend that time at home. He just couldn't tell them yet. He hadn't been granted it yet, and he just couldn't get their hopes up in case it didn't work.
I know ya probably are worried Bo, but don't worry about me.
In a way it was kinda ironic. Wasn't in no battle or anything. Was a young recruit had gotten separated from the rest of his group. For some reason he though we were a big head quarters or something. He thought that he could make up for his mistake of getting lost if he could do some damage, so he started firing at us.
We thought he was out of ammunition, and since it was only one we wanted him out of there before they took drastic measures.
Like flying at him with a helicopter and a machine gun as they sometimes did, and just fired at them until they were well dead.
Well, he had a few more bullets and I got nicked. At least the kid made it, he was just a kid and we're hoping they're not gonna be too hard on him. Being on his own he must have been terrified.
He didn't know if Bo wanted to hear this, didn't know if he was ready to hear this, but he needed to be honest with his cousin. He needed Bo to know that he wasn't hiding anything from him. It was so very important that Bo knew that.
Anyway, since it nicked the rib I won't do any active duty for some time, so I guess ya can relax knowing I ain't gonna be out or anything.
I reckon I'm gonna have ta write Daisy now an' tell her, cause we both know what she's gonna do ta me if I don't tell her.
I'm not exactly sure what yer gonna be thinking here Bo, so I wanna make a few things clear first. Don't worry, I swear to ya I'm gonna be perfectly fine, don't be scared cause it ain't really nothing bad at all. An' please don't be angry at that kid. He was scared an' all. I can understand why too. Gee, the kid was on his first mission, his commander should have taken better care of him. They should have made sure he was with them. So don't be mad at him Bo, I reckon he's a really good kid.
He'd have to end there, because he still had to write Daisy an' then he was in bad need of some rest. He couldn't rest properly before he had written his family though. So he'd write that, an' then he could rest.
Take care of yourself now Bo, an' remember how much I love ya,
Luke
July 20th 1969
Luke,
Heck cousin you nearly gave me the heart attack of the century when a letter from you came so much earlier than they usually do. I knew something was wrong as soon as I got it…
That in fact was an understatement…he was so very afraid that something had gone drastically wrong and they were getting letters telling them that Luke was coming home in a wooden box.
I'm so happy that you're finally telling us these things Luke, and despite you telling me not to worry and all, I will always worry Luke because you're my big brother and having you out there in a war zone where there is always a 99.9 chance of a bullet and bomb shower every day kinda sets the worry alarm into overdrive! And don't be a hypocrite and say you don't need to worry because if the roles were reversed you would be saying the same thing and you know it.
When he read that back he knew it sounded harsh, but then again he was telling the truth. Luke wanted them to be open about how they felt, what they were thinking as if he was still back with them and that involved going through the bad patches of their moods as well…especially with Bo.
I'm sorry to have to put it like that Luke but that is how I feel and you said you didn't want me to keep anything from you. So a chipped rib huh? That has got to hurt…I wish that you were here so I could climb into bed with you and be your teddy bear like I was when I was younger. Remember when you busted your ribs trying to save Daisy's hair ribbons from the goat and you hurt real bad….I couldn't work out why you were crying and just climbed right in there next to you…
Bo remembered it like it was yesterday because it was one of the rare occasions he got to actually help Luke like Luke helped Bo. Over the years since then, opportunities to give Luke that comfort had decreased as he kept more and more things to himself but now that one had arose again….Luke was miles away and he couldn't physically do anything. He just hoped that bringing up that memory might make Luke feel a little better….although it could have completely the opposite and make Luke feel worse because he didn't have that comfort.
Heck Luke I miss that and although you don't say it I know you're missing us so bad too. It ain't just you that can read between the lines of letters, even though you've got the art perfected I must say. I know there isn't anything I can do to make you feel any better about that Luke except maybe remind you of a couple of things.
You're never alone Luke…just like you told me. Even when we're separated we're still together in our hearts and heads…I know it ain't the same and is not a great substitute for you missing us….but its what's getting me through and I just want you to share that with me…give you something that will help you through.
I ain't mad at the kid….at least not no more. I was at first…but then I remembered what its like to feel abandoned, to be left on your own in a place you've never been before and being terrified of what's going to happen. I reckon he needs a big brother Luke, someone to take care of him….why not give it a go? You's done a great job with me over the years…reckon its time other people who need that too got to share it.
While it hurt him to think that his Luke would be taking care of other people besides him….he knew that right now there were people far worse off than him who needed his cousin, the superhero that had been in his life for so long that had saved him and protected him for so long. That's what Luke was to him, a hero, in so many ways and there were no medals that were special enough to say that to him…but he had tried.
You're a great guy Luke…Uncle Jesse's taught ya so well over the years and its only now that I's realised I never gave you a thanksgiving present. I made this last week fer ya Luke in preparation for your birthday in September…but I think that you deserve it more now what with your injury and all…
He slipped the little metal medal into the package along with a car magazine to keep Luke entertained. They had been coming in the post as usual for Luke and he was growing quite a collection.
The magazine is this month's car one that you get sent through. They keep coming Luke, all ready and waiting for you in our room for when you return and can finally relax again. You've got quite a collection so far Luke, but I thought with you being bored and all in a hospital with nothing to do, you might like to take a look.
I's been helping with Daisy as much as I can since your last letter Luke…in fact I was about to sit down and write the reply to you now, what a coincidence huh? I don't know how much of a help I'm being to her…I think she's afraid that what's happening to her will upset me. I try and tell her that it ain't and I know what it feels like to be so upset but she just doesn't want to believe me. I don't know what to do…but don't worry none about it, I'll find something I'm sure.
The party wasn't much and I think she liked the presents…she loved your spoon.
She had loved it so much that she had refused to let go of it actually. Bo had tied the ribbons he had bought her round the handle and put the Johnny Cash record underneath it, signing the tag from both him and Luke as always. She had said they were lovely as she had done with all the presents she got, but she had held the spoon with the ribbons on through out the small party.
I also had a shot at making a cake for her Luke. It was a real simple one, not like the one she made me for my birthday, you know the football field? But still I tried it out, and I had to get Uncle Jesse's help for a lot of it, but it turned out okay. Daisy seemed happier at the party….though I still heard her crying again in her room later that night.
Anyway cousin, I better let you get some rest. At least I can sleep a bit easier now I know you ain't out on the battlefield for a while…just take it easy wont you. Oh and Pete says Hi and get better soon….he's just come over with his letter from Steve and has been bugging me to say Hi….he's an annoying twerp sometimes…
At this point a line made its way down the paper as Bo suddenly got tackled side on by Pete. For about ten minutes they rolled around wrestling on the floor, hurling playful insults at each other before remembering what it was they were originally doing.
Sorry about that….I got attacked by the king of the twerps….I think he's gearing up for another one…I better go before this letter gets destroyed in the battle.
Love you loads Luke, hope you get better soon…
Love
Bo
July 9, 1969
One unplanned nap later he was finally writing to Daisy. He really hadn't meant to take the nap, but he had found himself nodding off halfway through the day. Knowing he needed it he had given in and taken the nap before continuing.
Dear Daisy,
I reckon that just like Bo yer probably wondering why I'm writing this soon, an' worrying as well. I just wanna let ya know that ya don't have ta worry. It's just that well, after yer last threat I reckon I have ta tell ya I got hurt a bit.
Nothing bad Daisy, before ya start worrying. I mean, I'm writing just fine here, so ya can tell it ain't really nothing bad.
He felt as if he was to weary to tell the story again, but he owed it to Daisy to tell her everything, the same as he owed it to Bo.
It wasn't even a bad situation. The base was under fire from what we first though was a sniper, and when he seemed to run out of ammunition we tried to get there and disarm him. Well, he wasn't quite as out of ammunition as we thought, so he got off a few shots. I got nicked by a bullet. It ain't a bad wound Daisy, it just brushed my side and nicked and cracked a rib.
Because it cracked the rib I'm not gonna be on active duty for some time, but since it ain't the first time I've cracked a rib ya know how it is. It ain't bad, just hurts a bit.
An' like I told Bo, please don't be scared or anything Daisy. T'was no real sniper, just a dang kid on his first patrol an' some dang superior didn't take care off him so the kid got lost. When he saw our base he thought he'd hit some head quarters an' could be a war hero. So don't be mad at him or nothing… was just a kid.
Ya don't have ta worry either cause I swear ta ya I'm gonna be perfectly fine, an' it ain't even gonna leave much of a scar when it heals.
I'm gonna have ta leave ya now though, cause I kinda need to catch some sleep. I hope ya git this soon, cause I can't wait ta tell ya how much I love ya.
He stifled a yawn so that he could sign it, then his friend would mail them for him while he slept some.
I love ya so much Daisy, an' I want ta be sure ya know that.
Luke
Daisy held the letter in her shaking hands. Luke had been hurt. She knew it was just a matter of time before he would join Tommy…and then where would she be? She was scared… so scared she couldn't think, much less write him back. All she could do was sit, filled with worry…
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she hugged the letter close. Luke… Luke please… come home…. Please…
Setting the letter down, she picked up the spoon Luke had made her for her birthday and ran her finger over the goat carving on it. Clutching it tightly, she curled up on the bed, holding it close and cried herself to sleep.
Okay...we hope you enjoyed the first year. The next collaboration will be Letters from War: Coming Home...or something along those lines. It will be written chapter form instead of letter form and will be shorter. Then we will move on to year 2 which will again be in letter form. Thanks for reading and reviewing and be watching for our next part of the series! Jordyn, Elenhin and Ani