49. Letters
Letters
Splash,
I’m here. I’m right here.
I don’t care that it’s five words, Splash. I don’t care that the page is stained. I am holding this piece of paper right now, and I am holding onto you through it. You are not alone in the dark, do you hear me? I am right on the other side of this letter for you.
I am so, so sorry. I know how much Brody meant to you. I know he was your safety over there. I am crying with you right now in a hotel room half a world away, and I would give anything—literally anything—to take this pain off your shoulders.
You don’t have to explain anything to me.
You don’t have to write a long reply. You don’t even have to use your words.
Just know that every single day, I am going to keep writing to you.
I am going to keep sending boxes. I am going to keep throwing lines into the dark until you are ready to climb out.
Brody watched your six over there, and now it’s my turn to watch it from here. I’m not going anywhere, my soldier. I’ve got you. I promise you, I’ve got you.
Yours,
Jackson