Page 3 of Instinct & New Identity

April 14

V,

I hope you like the giftIsent in your care package this week.It’snot much, but you said socks are great, so consider it a belated birthday gift from me!

Yes, my birthday.Idon’t really feel any different, butIguess that’s becauseI’mstill living at home and in school.Maybeit will feel different whenI’moff to college.

I’m glad the guys you’re with are great, and even happier you have a great sergeant!Canyou tell me more about the guys (without giving too much away)?

Speaking of which, this writing program ends onceIgraduate, butIwould really like to keep writing to you.Idon’t know if sharing addresses for our letters is allowed, but what about email?Wouldyou be open to that?Nopressure if you aren’t.Ijust really enjoy our letters and feel a bond with you, andIwould love to keep in touch.

What form is required for all soldiers?

(A uni-form)

—C

* * *

May 25

C,

Okay, this is officially the worst gift ever.TaylorSwiftsocks?!Really?!Justso you know the guys in my squad gave me so much crap for these and will likely never let me live this down.Thanksa lot (huge eye roll).

I’m only wearing them because they are thick and warm and the pair my mom sent me has a hole.Otherwise, these would be in the trash.AfterIburned them.

The only reasonI’mstill even writing to you after that horrible gift is because you also sent a crossword puzzle book.I’venever done a murder mystery crossword before.Thisis actually a badass gift.Youare forgiven for the awful socks.Barely.

Congratulations on almost graduating!Iwould definitely like to keep writing to you.Despitethe bad jokes (and awful socks) your letters are a bright spot for me.Maybeit’s because of the anonymity, butIfeel likeIcan tell you anything.Myemail is below.Thoughfair warning, this may cause us to cross a line since you are now going to know part of my name.

What rank are all cats in the military?

(Corpurrrral)

—V

[email protected]

1

CAT

I was exhausted.Myfamily andIhad spent the last week on vacation at the three national parks inFlorida.We’dhiked, kayaked, sunbathed on the beach, and pretty much everything else in between.

This was our last big family vacation beforeIwent off to college in three months.Ihad just graduated from high school, andIcouldn’t be more excited to start the next chapter of my life.Wewere driving home, and even thoughI’dhad a lot of fun,Ialso couldn’t wait to get back to see ifIhad a new letter from my military pen pal overseas.Ididn’t know much about him, butIoddly felt this connection to him and found myself wanting to write to him every day.

“Mamá, when are we going to be home?” my younger sisterValeriaasked.

“Soon,mija,” my mother told her from the front passenger seat. “Wewill stop for gas soon and get some snacks, and then it will only be about two hours until home.Wouldyou like to sing with me to pass the time?Wecan turn on someShakira.”

“Yes!” my sisterValeriashouted.

I loved music, andIlikedShakira, but my mom couldn’t sing to save her life.Shedidn’t care, though.

“I’ll let you shake it likeShakiralater for me,Maria,” my dad mumbled suggestively, butIstill heard it and almost puked.

“Eww!Gross,Dad!”Iwhined and made a gagging noise.

---