(7/18/08)
Dear Riley,
I'll be home soon my darling. I can't wait to see everyone and celebrate your 18th birthday. I love you baby girl. Tell Allen and Mom I love them both and miss them. I don't have to state the obvious to you Riley. I'm sorry i missed your graduation but congrats! Coma and I will bring presents when we arrive. Don't forget about me Riley, your Dad is scarred but alive and well. Never forget that.
Love,
Sergeant Davis
Riley held the paper in her hands, tears smearing the black ink it was written with. Weeks ago this letter was sent, days after an M.I.A notice was mailed to their home, silencing them all. "He can't be gone Mama! He promised he'd come back!" Allen had screamed. A young boy of only 10 years old, he was heartbroken. His sister just stood in the hallway, pale faced and still comforting him the best way she could. The last line of her father's letter to her running through her mind on an non stop loop. 'Don't forget about me Riley. Your Dad is scarred but alive and well. Never forget that.'
Her father wasn't found yet nor pronounced dead. Having that little hope within her is what drove her to find him. No doubt her mother would fight to keep her home, but she couldn't stop her. Riley had turned 18 the week the letter was sent, she was legally allowed to leave at any moment.
Within the hour her belongings were stuffed inside a duffel bag, a pouch of money hidden in the side pocket along with pepper spray and a small air horn her father had given her for emergencies. With her mother long ago asleep, Riley scribbled a small note and left without another moments hesitation.
Dear Riley,
I'll be home soon my darling. I can't wait to see everyone and celebrate your 18th birthday. I love you baby girl. Tell Allen and Mom I love them both and miss them. I don't have to state the obvious to you Riley. I'm sorry i missed your graduation but congrats! Coma and I will bring presents when we arrive. Don't forget about me Riley, your Dad is scarred but alive and well. Never forget that.
Love,
Sergeant Davis
Riley held the paper in her hands, tears smearing the black ink it was written with. Weeks ago this letter was sent, days after an M.I.A notice was mailed to their home, silencing them all. "He can't be gone Mama! He promised he'd come back!" Allen had screamed. A young boy of only 10 years old, he was heartbroken. His sister just stood in the hallway, pale faced and still comforting him the best way she could. The last line of her father's letter to her running through her mind on an non stop loop. 'Don't forget about me Riley. Your Dad is scarred but alive and well. Never forget that.'
Her father wasn't found yet nor pronounced dead. Having that little hope within her is what drove her to find him. No doubt her mother would fight to keep her home, but she couldn't stop her. Riley had turned 18 the week the letter was sent, she was legally allowed to leave at any moment.
Within the hour her belongings were stuffed inside a duffel bag, a pouch of money hidden in the side pocket along with pepper spray and a small air horn her father had given her for emergencies. With her mother long ago asleep, Riley scribbled a small note and left without another moments hesitation.
artforthesoul99
Join the Discussion
This article has 2 comments. Post your own!