I sat in my room and remembered that fateful day… when the first letter came.

Dear Wiley, my Wiley…

I am sending you a series of letters. They will be the last things I write to you my sweet. Why you ask me? Because, as you know, I am well beyond my years… there is war approaching my American shores… Soon they will close us off… and those that survive will be forced into slavery… America is so weak now…

I miss you, with all my heart. And I thank you for loving me back. Even though it was only one summer, we grew so much before you returned home.

My mother died this past month from aggressive cancer. I wish you had been here to say good bye… and to help me say good bye as well… Oh Wiley, there is so much more to tell!

But until I can afford another letter…, I love you.
-Hope

I went to my closet and pulled out the rest of her letters. I did this when I missed her most. I sat on my bed and began the next one.