Dear Ray.

I have only just received your letter. There must have been a problem sending it from Asia or something.
I am glad you trust me. I feel like we are getting closer, even though we are so far away from each other. I care for you, and you should know that. You have always been like a brother to me.
I remember when we climbed up to Mr. Davis small house on top of the big tree, and slept there all night. We almost fell out the side, but your mom noticed us and saved us before we fell of the edge. Ha ha. It feels like it was yesterday. You have always been my friend, and you will always be my friend, no matter where in the world you are.
Your parents are worried about you. They watch the news every day, hoping to catch the last new thing about the war. They just bought a new house, down by the lake. It is a lovely place. It is the place you have always dreamt of. It is the place that we used to go down to as kids, just to watch the sun rise from the edge of the lake. I surely hope that we can go there again, as soon as you come home. Darlene is worried too. Yesterday she told me, that she had met a really nice guy. But she cannot love him. She has been faithful to you, even though you are so far away. We’ve talked about the future, and she is determined to stay by your side. Perhaps forever, if you come back.
She’s sad, and she misses you.
Every time we get the newspaper, she’s the first to open it, hoping for the news of returning troops. But so far it has been without luck.
We are all scared. Yesterday we went by the church, and we noticed a burial.
That all reminded us, that it could have been you. It’s a scary thought, not knowing whether you will come back or not.
You are only 19, and we all feel that it’s way too early for a young man to knock on heavens gates.
The fact that so many young American men die in combat for a cause so far away, can sometimes seem totally stupid and it frustrates us.
We understand that it’s in the interest of U.S.A. to prevent nations powers to rise, but when it has to cost so many young American boys’ life, it seems like it sometimes is damaging us more than it is helping us.
I hope that you take care of yourself over there. You have always been good at taking care of yourself. And me. When my mother died, you were there by my side. In fact, you have always been there. I am so thankful to have a friend like you. I love you, in my own strange way.
It is not strange, that my eyes are in tears while I write this letter.
It’s frightening me, knowing that your life is in danger every day.
We miss you so much, and I hope you come back as soon as possible.
Then we can watch the sun rise again. Together.

Love, Madeline