Dear Aaron Page 27
Jasmine is still sulking, but we’ve only gone to a Chinese buffet once lately, and when we went to the soft serve ice-cream section, she only had one cone. My goal is to talk so much smack to her, she gets riled up and starts skating again to spite me. I don’t really want to do that because I’m not good at talking bad to anyone, but I don’t know how else to get to her. I hope I don’t regret this decision. I’ll let you know how it goes.
I’m excited for you getting to take leave. Are you going to make any solid plans other than taking plenty of showers?
I’m starting to feel pretty crappy, sorry if this message is short. Hopefully it isn’t food poisoning.
Hope you’re okay.
-Ruby
From: [email protected]
Date: December 31, 2008 5:05 p.m.
Subject: HI
Happy New Year, Aaron! :)
-Rube
Chapter 8
January
January 7, 2009
From: [email protected]
Date: January 7, 12:01 p.m.
Subject: Stuff
Ruby,
I can’t wait until I’m out of here… It’s finally hitting me hard. This happens every tour, but this time it’s worse than usual and happening earlier. Everyone’s been on edge lately. We got woke up two days ago when someone started shouting by the tents in the middle of the night. A soldier had his AR with him and was pacing… ranting and yelling… crying…. I don’t know how to describe what it was like exactly. Scary if I’m going to be honest. Everybody’s cried at least once when they’re out here… It’s just the way it works. When the homesickness gets bad or when things are happening back home, that’s “normal,” but not like that. Not like that soldier. Like there’s no hope left. I don’t know. I could go the rest of my life without seeing that happen again. It really fucks with my head seeing in person how close everybody can be to reaching that breaking point when you’re out here… you try not to think about it, but it happens. You’re fine until… you’re not. And you always kind of worry and wonder if it’ll happen to you.
I can tell you’re trustworthy, Ru. :]
I haven’t contacted my exes. Chances are I won’t. I’ve thought about it. I don’t want to spend my time calling them because I don’t have any other way of communicating. I doubt I scarred any of them. It wasn’t like we were in love or anything.
^^^Does that sound like a shit excuse?
What’s wrong with meeting a guy at church?
Like I told you, just because I’m done doesn’t mean you need to be. Maybe you’ll find a good relationship. I hope you do.
If you wouldn’t mind sending some flea shampoo, I can pay you back when I get home on break. I’d ask a friend, but it’d be a month before they got around to it.
Your entire family is out of control. Who brings jello shots to Christmas and then gets drunk? For real, I think I was jealous for a sec. The picture of your brother was hilarious. Did you that draw the “tick” on his face?
Talking bad to your sister is how you get her to do things? I can see someone with a strict diet taking their anger out on food.
I just want to do a whole lot of nothing for those two weeks of RR leave. I want to take a real vacation once I’m back home for good.
I hope you’re feeling better.
-Aaron
From: [email protected]
Date: January 14, 2009 1:11 p.m.
Subject: Hey
Ruby,
I haven’t heard from you. You all right?
-A
From: [email protected]
Date: January 18, 2009 2:09 p.m.
Subject: Hey
Ruby,
Everything good?
-Aaron
From: [email protected]
Date: January 22, 2009 1:55 p.m.
Subject: Please read
Ruby,
If I did or said something to make you mad, I’m sorry. At least let me know you’re all right.
-A
From: [email protected]
Date: January 23, 2009 12:44 p.m.
Subject: RE: Please read
Sorry for scaring you. I’m really sick but mostly alive. Dropped my phone in the toilet on New Year’s and hadn’t gotten a new one.
Happy belated 29th birthday. I meant to send you a message but hope you understand.
-R
From: [email protected]
Date: January 24, 2009 12:58 p.m.
Subject: Finally