Forever Read Online Free PDF Page A

even know about it. It finally got around the wrestling team about three weeks before I left; I’m surprised Brooke didn’t know.
    Roni, please believe me when I tell you I didn’t want you to find out this way. I didn’t even think about that picture being in the paper until just now; we had to send this whole thing home stating we were here and safe.
    As for the crush, well, yeah; I’ve never not had a crush on you. But, I’m an idiot, and shy about certain things, and I guess it’s always been enough for me that you’re my friend and in my life; especially the way we’ve been lately.
    As far as why I still have the crush, well, I don’t know why I breathe, but I just do. Oh, don’t get me wrong; you have been an absolute bitch to me sometimes, but I guess I can see beyond that. You have so much good in you, Roni. You just seem so scared to show that part of you. You should do it more; you’re actually pretty good at it.
    I’m so glad you went to Maggie after you found out where I was. She’s a good person and very accepting of people (which explains why she’s marrying Rick!). And I’m glad you guys are friends now. And that’s so cool she put you in the wedding! I’m assuming we’re going to walk  together.
    I don’t want you to be scared for me, Roni. Please? I love the fact you want to be part of this and want to be here for me. But I did this and I have to get through it. And I know my family is behind me, and Rick and Maggie and other people, but knowing you’re there is just a whole other thing for me. It’s like in the middle of this wasteland that my life has become, there’s a flower growing. And it has a voice and it’s your voice and it’s saying “I’m here, Footer.” That’s going to get me through this, Roni, that voice, and knowing you’re on the other end of this goddamn tunnel I’m in; that’s going to get me through.
    It’s 49 days until we “graduate” from this hell-hole. Then it’s San Antonio for three months to learn how to be a medic, then off to Fort Riley, Kansas. Once I get out of here, I can be a person again. And we’ll see where things go from there.
    Yeah, that night you stayed with me was special for me, too. I woke up about 3:45 and at first it took me a second to realize what was going on. I looked down and saw you; you were lying on your side and your head was on my shoulder and your arm was across my chest. Your left leg was across my legs. You smelled incredible and you were softly snoring. You were so cute. I pulled you a little tighter and held you in both arms for a minute. I kissed you on your forehead and you smiled and laid your hand on my chest for a second. I pretty much could have died there. I was complete.
    Let’s make a deal: You sent your letter Monday morning and I got it tonight. I’ll mail this in the morning, so you should get it by Tuesday or Wednesday. If we write each other back the day we get our letters, that means we’ll each write five more letters and your last one will get to me by graduation. Is that a deal?
    I’m going to get to bed. I’m sitting outside and it’s cold and the MPs have driven by a couple of times, and about the last thing I need is to get busted for something!
    So, good-night, Roni. You’ve saved me; I was at the bottom a little while ago and you wrote me a letter and reached down and saved me. That’s twice now; one of these days, I’ll have to save you. Write back soon! I miss you.
    Love,
    Scott
     
    For the next 49 days, these letters really would keep Scott alive. He wasn’t going to tell her everything that was going on, and it didn’t matter what she told him; as long as she was there, as long as every 10 days he received a letter, he was going to be OK.
    And, there were a lot of things he could tell her.
     
     
    ****
     
     
    CHAPTER 5
    March turned into April and Scott was settling in to basic training as best he could. By the middle of the month, Delta 5-2 already learned how to clean