• Dear Brother,

    I miss you, but it's mom who is making me write this. She told me to say how proud of you I am. I'm not, though. I'm not proud of having you as a brother because your so stupid! Your stupid for taking that stupid job at such stupid time! Blow up, your going to get yourself blown up! Then the military's going to have send you back in pieces. Mom's gonna have to bury the pieces. You're going to make her cry; do you want to make her cry that much? Your stupid job is going to get you killed.

    And you aren't allowed to get killed. You have to see my room, I painted all different colors and so you have to see it. You said you would see it. You have to. You just do. You said you would.

    I want you to come and see it; I don't want Mom to cry and I know you don't want her to either. Your a good son, a good brother and you'd be better if you'd come back. You don't want her to cry! Dad couldn't take it if you didn't come back. He couldn't handle it; you'd hurt him so much if you didn't return. I know you. You wouldn't want to hurt them or anyone else.

    Which is why you make a terrible solider. You won't like pulling that trigger, you couldn't do it but what happens if the other guy could! Then you wouldn't come back. You wouldn't see my room. You'd make Mom cry and hurt Dad. But, if you pull that trigger then you'd come back changed. Changed like Uncle Paul.

    Uncle Paul keeps saying how bad the war is. You used to agree with him, even considering where he lives now. You told me people were dying every day and hour on both sides. Both side! People dying! Why did you chose to go and join when people are dying? You said you're helping our side.

    Our home, you said, but what about our family? Mom says how proud she is of you, and she is, but you worry her. You worry her to tears. She wouldn't tell you or Dad but she cries. She cries and just thinks tears for her son in battle over seas is normal! And I agree with her. Its normal to cry during war. That just makes the bloodshed so much worse. Crying shouldn't be okay nor should killing, but that's what war is; tears and blood, right?

    I don't like that and neither do you. You don't think its right but you join the battle anyways. Your so stupid. So stupid. You're stupid for joining that stupid job at such a stupid time!

    Sarah




    Dear Sis,

    I love too. Wish you well.

    Adam




    The tear stained letter was crumpled by pale hands. Sarah forcefully stuffed the paper into her dark jeans. She kept one hand around the ball squeezing it whenever she felt hot tears roll down her pink cheeks.

    The tears had created rivers and tributes on her face. Her red puffy eyes looked haunted as she subconsciously blinked away tears. The light blue eyes never turned away from the military honored casket that was sinking into the welcoming earth.

    Beside the young girl, her mother stood crying her heart and soul into her husband's shoulder. He gently placed his arm across her back. He stood like a statue looking at his only son being buried. Father's weren't suppose to outlive their sons. Tears went unnoticed down his cheeks.

    Rain began to fall as it the heavens were crying for Adam's passing. This did not comfort Sarah as it only confirmed her brother's death. He was gone. This was real, her worry and tears were well worth it. How terrible.

    She burst into tears; her hand dropping the letter into her pocket as she buried her face in her hands. Adam always kept his promises. Why hadn't he told her he'd come back alive? He'd return home. He wouldn't make Mom cry or Dad hurt. Why not simply that he'd see her new room? She missed him so much. She loved him.