on the military, but it’s just me. Everyone has their part to play in the game of life. If we were all the same, where would that leave us? I like the image you present of doing the voices with your niece. And every kid is probably embarrassed by adults at some point. It’s those times they’ll remember when they’re older, and not the serious stuff.
Right now, I’m in my office. I’m dirty and tired from traveling today. Looking forward to bed and a few hours of sleep to recharge. I like your e-mails too.
Talk soon,
Gabe
Giddy. She was ridiculously breathy, giddy from his letter. When she’d written that she looked forward to hearing from him, she hadn’t believed he’d return the sentiment, yet he had. And he even included a closing this time. Talk soon. In the pen pal world, that was as good as a promise to write again. Of course, this made her even more curious about him. And it seemed that when she opened up, he did as well, albeit on a smaller scale—but still, the proof was there before her. She wanted nothing more than to reply immediately, but Kaylee was getting in the car now, and she wouldn’t have a chance until they got home. Sara loved this time with Kaylee, so no new friendship with a soldier would interfere with that.
It was difficult, but she put Gabe firmly on the back burner while she talked with her niece about her day. Hearing her animated conversation never failed to make her smile. She loved her so much. “And Billy told Abby she got cooties, and made her cry. So I stepped on his foot, but he didn’t cry. That’s why I’m not on green today, Sarie. When you step on someone’s toes, even if they’re mean, you’re going straight to yellow.”
She couldn’t help it—the matter-of-fact explanation of her drop in the behavioral chart had Sara laughing out loud. She hadn’t been able to imagine such a system would work at keeping rambunctious kindergartners in line, but Kaylee was almost obsessed with staying on the good color. That was why she didn’t feel the need to scold her for the slip today. It was rare that she received anything other than praise from her teacher, and she was proud of the little girl for defending her friend. “I can see how that would happen.” She nodded. “But I’m sure you’ll be back on track tomorrow. Hey, look, kiddo,” she said, drawing her attention to where snowflakes were hitting the windshield. “We need to stop at the store and stock up. It might be a few days before we’re out again. I’m sure your mom will be working longer hours handling the weather updates as well.” It was rare that they had snow in the spring, but it had been a weird winter. The unusually cold temperatures, along with record rainfall, had combined for more of the white stuff than they’d had in years. She was so ready for summer.
“It’s very important work.” Kaylee did an almost perfect impersonation of Nicole. She wasn’t making fun of her, though. She was simply repeating what she’d been told. Watching her mother on the news every day was something she rarely missed. Sara wondered at times if Nicole wasn’t more like a beautiful stranger the little girl looked up to. The supporting cast. She pushed that troubling thought aside as they reached the grocery store and parked. It was frantic, as it usually was when bad weather was expected, but they managed to get all they needed. A short time later, when everything was put away, Sara gave in to Kaylee’s pleas to go outside for a few minutes. And even though there was only a dusting of snow on the ground, they still had a blast playing in it. She took a few pictures and sent them to both Chris and Nicole, as she tried to do daily. They’re missing this beautiful girl’s childhood. Moments they’ll never get back. She took one last one of her and Kaylee holding rabbit ears over each other’s head. That one was just for her. She had hundreds of them, and each one told a different story.
A couple of hours had passed by the time Kaylee was coloring and Sara had some time to herself to write back to Gabe. She used to enjoy playing Candy Crush or surfing the Internet as a way to relax, but now either responding or reading back