Love is Always Write Anthology Bonus Volume

around some by now. We're somewhere I can't say, and it's not as cold as where you are. But I'm still thinking about you back there the States. I bet there's still snow. Here sometimes it rains a lot. Then there are bright sunny days. Sometimes both in less than an hour's time. Good thing we don't have earthquakes. It's been a quiet few days and we've had actual leave but we ship out again tonight. Don't know how long. Best. D
    May 26, 1943
    Glad to hear you got home safely. Your letters caught up with me as I sat on a tropical beach with a beer. Warm beer, unfortunately, and not an icebox in sight. But still the first I've tasted in a while. Not a bad life, right? We've been mainly acting as a taxi for Marines. Those boys are tough, but some of them are so damned young. I don't think we were ever that young. Well, maybe you were.
    Be sure you work hard for the torture-warden therapist– I want to go cheer in the bleachers at a ball game with you when I get home. I'm glad your hip is getting better. And I guess by now you're out of the hospital and home with your folks. Sure, I could see it might be hard to live at home, but it's probably the best place right now. Especially if they've rigged up that room on the ground floor like you said they were going to. Let your mom spoil you for a bit. I wouldn't say no to some of my mom's cooking about now.
    It's sunny here but a rainstorm rolls in every afternoon. There's something to be said for a little rain every day.
    Your friend, D.
    July 4, 1943
    Hi Trip, No Fourth of July fireworks for us. We've got the real thing. Adds meaning to the phrase bombs bursting in air. Don't decide too quick about not going back to college, right? Sure working for your dad right away has advantages, but you should make sure it's what you really want. Anyway, I'm happy to hear you get out of the house now and are feeling useful again. I'm sure he's glad to have you taking an interest. But it doesn't mean you're locked in for life. Nothing new here. This war's gonna spoil me for beach vacations though. Steady sun and heat. Every other kind of weather would be welcome. D
    November 28, 1943
    Hey, Trip. I hope you had a good Thanksgiving with your folks. I was thinking of you on the day, no doubt stuffing your face with pie and turkey. The Navy tried to set out a spread of sorts for us, but heavy seas and Navy cooking being what they are, it wasn't a total success. I hope your little sister's cooking is improving. She may marry a rich guy and never need to touch a pan, but I think it's wise of her to learn how. Can't wait for this thing to be over. Maybe I'll visit you. She can bake me an apple pie, and I won't even care if she remembers to soften the apples first.
    It must be frustrating to still need the crutches. But you should take it as slow as you have to. Remember, a guy home safe on crutches is still a guy who came home safe and a joy to the folks who care about him. Try not to get too impatient.
    By now I'm betting the folks at home have heard about the battle of T. I won't write anything the censors might have to cross off, but holy God, just being in the boats in support of the men on the beach was a new meaning of hell. I came out of it fine. The Japs did fire back at us but mostly missed. We lost Badger, though. You remember him? Kane says Badger was beginning to repeat all his stories by now so no big loss. Then Kane went off and blubbered for about an hour. This is hard stuff.
    So I'm well, wishing for a bit more rain and snow to cut the heat. If anyone ever advises you to retire to a tropical climate, don't do it.
    Yours, D.
    The pictures that had come back from the Tarawa beaches, the sheer numbers of the dead and wounded, had said what Daniel wouldn't put into words. It had been damned painful to write back the casual condolences and support of a friend. Jacob had ached to give Daniel more.
    Jacob leafed through a dozen more pages. The letters got even shorter as time went on. Between the pages he could almost feel the suffering Daniel witnessed paring Daniel down to bare bones. He hoped the man had managed to eat and sleep. Clearly, he'd survived through it all. But his words had become sparse. No more mention of shipmates by name. Either there was no one left around Daniel whom Jacob would know, or the steady toll had been too much to share. Jacob picked up the most recent four.
    March 21, 1945
    Hey Trip, glad you're not here. Things have been pretty hot and heavy at the