San Diego . We’ve been talking about getting married . If we do , I hope you will come to the wedding .
Keep in touch and drop me a note sometime .
Ryan
Rex slipped the new letter into the original envelope and sealed the flap with glue. “Buddy, I just saved your life. You can thank me later.” He placed the envelope with the outgoing mail by the door and flopped back on the sofa.
All he had to do now was wait for Keri's letter, intercept it, rewrite it, and stick it back in her original envelope. Then everything would be back to normal.
CHAPTER 6
When Keri saw Ryan Mitchell’s name in the return address her heart fluttered. She'd always believed they’d one day get back together. For nine years, she hoped and prayed he hadn’t forgotten her. The thought of losing him was unbearable.
The first year he was at the Academy she wrote daily receiving only sporadic responses. Then, for no reason, he stopped writing, as if he had died. After he graduated, trying to revive the relationship seemed futile. His being either at sea on a multi-month cruise or involved in some military exercise on the other side of the globe made even the thought of reviving the relationship tiring.
While in college, Keri made a special effort to return home to Buckhead on weekends to visit Martha. Being with Martha and seeing pictures of Ryan around the house gave her hope that all was not lost. Her mind often played tricks on her, imagining he was in another part of the house and might walk around a corner any minute. The thought of them married and home visiting her mother-in-law was a dream her mind brought to life. Giving in to the charade helped her avoid the haunting voice of reality reminding her he was gone forever.
She studied the unopened envelope. She suspected, one day, a letter would arrive from Martha delivering the dreaded news: Ryan is getting married. The thought of a wedding invitation crossed her mind, but why would he invite her to his wedding? Hopefully, this letter contained better news.
Sitting on the sofa, her little West Highland terrier, Bill, peered up at her from the floor, his ears perked, as if anxious for her to open the envelope and see what was inside.
Keri knew Ryan was in San Diego and would be separating from the Navy next August, just over a year from now. Her transfer request to L.A. had been approved for July—two months away. Perfect timing, she’d thought. She dreamed of moving to the West Coast and reconnecting with Ryan—picking up where they’d left off. She gazed at the letter again. Perhaps Martha had secretly told him of their many talks and relayed to him her haunting regrets and bottled passions.
“Let’s see what’s inside,” she said to Bill. He barked. She tore open the envelope and read.
Friday , May 13 , 1983
Keri ,
It’s been a long time . I learned from mom you’re living in Florida . She tells me you’re a flight attendant . Sounds exciting . I also hope to be hired by the airlines once I complete my commitment to the Navy . Probably next summer .
She clung to every word, her mind racing ahead as she imagined how wonderful it would be to see him again. A warmth spread over her as she analyzed the intent of each phrase.
It’s been a long time .
Finally he was ready—ready to start his new life with her.
I just learned from mom that you’re living in Florida .
“That is so sweet.” In his search to find her, he’d contacted Martha. Her prayers had finally been answered.
She tells me you’re a flight attendant . Sounds exciting . I also hope to be hired by the airlines once I complete my commitment to the Navy . Probably next summer .
She detected nervousness in his words reminding her of his tender heart; something she found attractive.
Have you met anyone special ? I’m sure , by now , you have .
She chuckled, as though he were sitting with her. “Are you kidding?” She read on, savoring each word.
I met a wonderful woman here in San Diego .
Keep in touch and drop me a note sometime .
Ryan
Rex slipped the new letter into the original envelope and sealed the flap with glue. “Buddy, I just saved your life. You can thank me later.” He placed the envelope with the outgoing mail by the door and flopped back on the sofa.
All he had to do now was wait for Keri's letter, intercept it, rewrite it, and stick it back in her original envelope. Then everything would be back to normal.
CHAPTER 6
When Keri saw Ryan Mitchell’s name in the return address her heart fluttered. She'd always believed they’d one day get back together. For nine years, she hoped and prayed he hadn’t forgotten her. The thought of losing him was unbearable.
The first year he was at the Academy she wrote daily receiving only sporadic responses. Then, for no reason, he stopped writing, as if he had died. After he graduated, trying to revive the relationship seemed futile. His being either at sea on a multi-month cruise or involved in some military exercise on the other side of the globe made even the thought of reviving the relationship tiring.
While in college, Keri made a special effort to return home to Buckhead on weekends to visit Martha. Being with Martha and seeing pictures of Ryan around the house gave her hope that all was not lost. Her mind often played tricks on her, imagining he was in another part of the house and might walk around a corner any minute. The thought of them married and home visiting her mother-in-law was a dream her mind brought to life. Giving in to the charade helped her avoid the haunting voice of reality reminding her he was gone forever.
She studied the unopened envelope. She suspected, one day, a letter would arrive from Martha delivering the dreaded news: Ryan is getting married. The thought of a wedding invitation crossed her mind, but why would he invite her to his wedding? Hopefully, this letter contained better news.
Sitting on the sofa, her little West Highland terrier, Bill, peered up at her from the floor, his ears perked, as if anxious for her to open the envelope and see what was inside.
Keri knew Ryan was in San Diego and would be separating from the Navy next August, just over a year from now. Her transfer request to L.A. had been approved for July—two months away. Perfect timing, she’d thought. She dreamed of moving to the West Coast and reconnecting with Ryan—picking up where they’d left off. She gazed at the letter again. Perhaps Martha had secretly told him of their many talks and relayed to him her haunting regrets and bottled passions.
“Let’s see what’s inside,” she said to Bill. He barked. She tore open the envelope and read.
Friday , May 13 , 1983
Keri ,
It’s been a long time . I learned from mom you’re living in Florida . She tells me you’re a flight attendant . Sounds exciting . I also hope to be hired by the airlines once I complete my commitment to the Navy . Probably next summer .
She clung to every word, her mind racing ahead as she imagined how wonderful it would be to see him again. A warmth spread over her as she analyzed the intent of each phrase.
It’s been a long time .
Finally he was ready—ready to start his new life with her.
I just learned from mom that you’re living in Florida .
“That is so sweet.” In his search to find her, he’d contacted Martha. Her prayers had finally been answered.
She tells me you’re a flight attendant . Sounds exciting . I also hope to be hired by the airlines once I complete my commitment to the Navy . Probably next summer .
She detected nervousness in his words reminding her of his tender heart; something she found attractive.
Have you met anyone special ? I’m sure , by now , you have .
She chuckled, as though he were sitting with her. “Are you kidding?” She read on, savoring each word.
I met a wonderful woman here in San Diego .
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