The Letter

It when her world changed forever

      I was sitting on the porch reading a book by Nicholas Sparks when I heard footsteps coming up the drive. I paused for a moment and then looked up to see that it was only Steve, the mailman. "Hello Steve! How are you today?"
      "I am good," He said happily.
      "Do you have a letter from Sam today?"
      "Yes I do," He took the pile of mail in his hands and handed it to me. On top of the pile was the letter from Sam.
      "Would you like me to read it out loud?"
      "Of course." Reading the letters from Sam always gave me a sense of relief. I opened the letter and began to read:
   
      Dear Anna,
            If only I could see you one last time. I miss looking into those beautiful hazel green eyes and playing with your long blonde hair. It has been so long since I've taste your sweet kisses. I long for one of your hugs. Anna I love you so much. So very much and without you I'm just hurting inside. Ever since the day I laid eyes on you, I knew you were the one... Anna my time is running out. Our base was just hit and we are forced to evacuate. It's not possible for any of our men to survive. I am so sorry I can't be there to wipe away your tears, because I know you will be crying after reading this. I want you to know this though, I love you. Where ever I may be, I'll always be watching you.

Goodbye My Love,
 Sam

     Tears began falling down my face and my body became numb. I felt like someone had just ripped my heart out of my chest and then threw it on the ground. I sat there in a gaze and holding the letter I had just read. "Anna? Hun? Are you ok?" Steven said in a worried voice. I knew that he knew I wasn't ok, but thought he should ask anyway.
      "N-n-o-o," I said crying. "Why did God do this to me? Huh? Why did he have to take his life, along with so many others? All they were doing was protecting our country... It's just not fair"
      He walked over to where I was sitting and then sat next to me. "I honestly don't understand why either, but things happen for a reason. We just need to learn to except that."
      "How can I? He just took the love of my life away from me!" I didn't mean to yell at Steve. I was just so upset.
      "Anna calm down. I know it's hard, but there are plenty of others out there."
      "I don't want anybody else. I want Sam!" I couldn't control myself anymore. I didn't like that Steve wasn't backing me up so I yelled, "Steve just go!"
      He got up from where he was sitting and then gave me a look. He didn't seem mad just very hurt. "Ok. I will go, but promise me you won't do anything stupid."
      "Yea, whatever." He gave me that are you serious look and then walked away.  I watched him make his way to the end of the drive and then turn the corner. Once he was out of sight I went into the quiet, empty house. I went into the tiny bedroom that used to be for two. Pictures of Sam and I hung on the light blue walls. This room used to be filled with so much love, but now it was just another boring room. I placed the letter on the bed and then made my way to the window. I took in the ocean breeze and the beautiful view.
      After a few moments of just standing there I made my way back over to where the letter laid. I picked it up and began to read it once again. I tried to hold back the tears, but it was no use. When I finished reading I stood up with the letter in hand and made my way to the closet. I opened the closet doors and then got on my knees. There laid a box full of letters from Sam. This was letter one thousand and ninety five. Sam had written to me every day for the last three years. It so happens that this was the third year mark. I placed the newest letter in the box and then picked up another letter from long ago. It read:
    
       Dear Anna,
            It's me again. How is the weather up there in Minnesota? It has been raining up her for days... It gets rather depressing. I haven't had much action over here in Iraq. My men and I have just been keeping guard. You never know when it might get ugly.
          Anna, I miss you so much. Its been exactly a year now that we have been apart. One of the commanders says I should be coming home soon. I hope he is right. The day we meet again will be the day I'll ask you to marry me. Anna I want to be with you forever. I've thought about this for months, but never had the guts to write it out. We can get that big diamond ring you wanted. How does that sound?
      Oh and Anna! Guess what? There was a full moon last night. It was so beautiful, but not as beautiful as you. There is no other beauty like yours. You are my angel from up above. Well my love I must say goodbye for now. I will write soon.

                      Love,           

        Sam    

      I placed the letter back into the box and then closed the closet door. I couldn't do this anymore. I knew that I couldn't just live my life without him. I went downstairs into the basement and then went into a dark, cold room called the den. This was where Sam kept all of his hunting equipment. It was where he got away for a few hours just so he could relax. I used to sometimes come and sit with him on the couch. Together we would cuddle up and make love to each other. How I miss those days.... Those were the happiest day of my life. Its too bad that I would never be able to have those days back.
      After a few minutes of looking back at the memories shared once before, I continued my way over to where the guns were. There were so many of them. I took the smallest gun I could find, which looked like a shot gun. I was never good with guns so I couldn't tell you if it was a shot gun or not. I held the gun tightly in my shaking hands. I had never used a gun before, but had watched Sam practice with them. I put my finger on the trigger and took a deep breath. "Sam I love you! I want to be with you forever. I will be your angel," Those were the last words I said before I pulled the trigger....
      There was a bang from the gun and then a painful scream from I and then the house fell silent...

Author's Note

Tell me what you think. Advice is welcomed!

Reviews

[Corvus]

This was so touching. While there are some places where writing could be more detailed or fixed up, this was such a beautiful piece of writing.

Just one thing is that the base is being evacuated, so you should probably edit it to make the letter more hurried.

Otherwise, truly touching. I almost cried. The ending leaves you hanging, and you want to see what happens to her. Er- not see it, you'd see blood and a bullet wound- but to find out if she ever met Sam again in an afterlife of some sort. This is amazing.

[Bear]

WOW... so sad... the poor mailman making his delivery and standing tall as Anna took in the words of her love.... can't blame to guy for walking onward, doing his job, granting her the space she requested. I was hoping she wouldn't find the gun loaded but, sadly the end didn't surprise me... sometimes one just has to end it all in order to end the lonesome pain. I certainly hope Sam doesn't return home to find his true love gone without him at her side.

[Zeitgeist Manifesto]

This story is dark, but it is really touching at the same time. You really have written a story that has given people a look at a side of ourselves we are very afraid of.

[black.butterfly]

love it. nice reading your stuff again.

[Satchmo's Gal]

This is beautiful... I loved it. great work!

[rachielle]

Now this is what I was talking about! Being a fan of Nicholas Sparks myself, I loved that you did this story in a similar way as his books. What you lacked in Johnny's story you made up for here. I really liked this piece, specially the parts where you put in the most minute details, like the numbers of the letters for each day of the three years. This is such a tragic yet touching piece of yours. Again, great job! I look forward to reading more of your work.:)

[Alexis]

It madee me cry... Like bigg huuuge Crocky tears...
I do advise you to add more detail about the scenery...
EX: we ddnt know that the house was near the ocean until the middle of the stroyy... like let us know all of that before hand...
It could also use a bit more imagery in general ,
But overall i LOOOVED it.

[Luna Northstar]

Wow, beautiful job! Very heartfelt.. and extremely heart breaking.

[Frantzuu]

Wow what an amazing story, very touching.

[zack]

well very good manda it was like a very dark story i think