THE LETTERS...follow-up to THE FOXHOLE

THE FOXHOLE - Part II 
THE LETTERS

The follow-up to the short story THE FOXHOLE by Dylan S Le Maire

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It's been almost two years since Barry and Howie died in that foxhole in Afghanistan...and only now have some letters emerged written by them about them.

I had heard about Barry and Howie from a friend who had been stationed in Afghanistan and he cried while telling me the story of what happened that day. His reaction caught my writers heart and I decided to look further into this...ending with me going to both Afghanistan, Kentucky, and other places where some of the survivors live now.

Some of the letters are from both Howie and Barry to Howie's mama, Sara. Others are from Howie's brothers, and one is from Howie's aunt who he never met.

HERE IS THE FIRST ONE 

by Howie

HI Mom. Hey guys. If u r readin this then yah know I didn't make it out. What a hellhole Afghanistan. Beautiful country and

 Love the people, but Geezus.

Ah guess Ahm feelin a bit sorry for myself today, Mama, so just don't you pay me 

no nevermind.

Ah jest bin thinkin, Mama. Bout all this war stuff and I guess Ahm a bit homesick too. Can't wait for Christmas, man be so good to get me and Barry away from all this for even a bit, yah know?

Ahm so glad you likes him, Mama. He needs you you know, with his mama dyin' and all. He tells me he writes you and you write back. He is like a little kid when he has an email or snail mail from you.

But I am glad cause it is a relief. He is such a good man, Mama. So caring. Geez you autta see him sometimes...way he hovers over me and way he tries to protect me. Like I was a big baby or sumfin, yah know?

Well, I ain't now am I mama. You hush. 

Truth is I don't know what I would do 

without him.

You know, I know a lot of the guys here kinda think...well, you know. But, Mama, no.

Ain't like that Mama, but even if it were? 

SO WHAT?

Man, I'd be proud to be his boy, You know? Sorry, Mama but that is the truth. Maybe it's just the war and all the fear and shit, but...

I don't know.

Like you said to me last Christmas, Remember? You looked at me with those beautiful eyes of yours, looked over at Barry on the floor with the brats, looked back at me and said..."He is a good man, Howie honey. You cudda done a whole lot worse. 

LOT worse." 

Did you think we was, you know, more?

Nope, but truth be Mama...and please don't EVER 

tell him I said this mama, PLEASE...

I love Barry Mama. He takes such good care of me and all, he is like a loving bf and what the hell, maybe he is...

but sadly no.

I shouldn't have said all this Mama. Guess I am just a bit down and homesick and all. Promise me you won't tell him mama. I'm just hurting right now,  but in a minute I gotta go and put on my brave happy face and pretend everything is just fine.

MAMA? I COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT HIM.

I wouldn't find the strength without Barry.

Ok, gotta go.  Hope all is ok with you. Say hello to the brats for me. Laters, Mama.

Your loving son Howie.

P.S. When we get home, mama, I wanna bring Barry with me if that is ok with you.

Howie's mother Sara cried all the while 

I read this 

after she handed it to me.

NEITHER of them were ever going to come home again

but maybe to a better place where love is ok.

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THE SECOND ONE...

This one was from Barry to Howie's Mama.

Hi. Hope you are ok, you and Howie's brothers, or the brats as he calls them. Tell them hi for me please.

Things are bad here but bearable I guess. I just can't wait until Christmas and us coming to see you. I can't tell you how much it means, having somewhere to go which I didn't after my mama died. You are so nice to have me...and I see where Howie gets his good manners, huh.

If it weren't for Howie, I don't know how I would cope with all this. You raised him up fine, you did...and he is just the best friend I could have ever wanted.

Well, I better scoot. Howie be here in a sec and then head to chow (Dinner) over at the mess hall (cafeteria).

Pray for us, mom and thanks for letting me call you that.

Means a lot.

Hugs from your other son, Barry

PS, please don't tell Howie that I said he was the best friend ever. He might get a big head or something.

HAHAHA.

B.