Battles

Chapter One: September 1942

     I pushed my bicycleinto our backyard and parked it by the gate, so I could easily get toit next Monday. I pulled the keys out of my little purse and lockedthe gate, then went around to the front door. I straightened my dresstwirled the keys around on my finger.

     Our home was in aquite little neighborhood near a park, in New York. It was a placethey could ride their bicycles and play out in the streets withhardly any cars driving by. The house was a light blue color, withwindows all around the house and had a front and a back door. Therewere three bedrooms and two bathrooms. I adored our little house,John had bought it for me on our wedding day and brought me home toit after our honeymoon, fully packed with our things.

     I unlocked the doorand went inside, finding the house silent and empty. The radio on thecounter was turned off, as was the TV. in the living room. All thechairs were empty and it was almost pitch black. I laid my purse onthe counter and turned the radio on low, then went from room to roomopening all the windows and curtains.

     When the sun waslighting up the entire house, I went into the kitchen and found aletter on the counter. I opened it, seeing a familiar handwritingthat wasn't the one I had hoped it would be. I unfolded it and leanedagainst the cabinet.

                          'Dear Rosemary,

           Itook the kids on a quick walk to clear their heads before they dotheir schoolwork. Don't worry. We will be back soon.

                                               WithLove,

                                         YourGrandfather

     After I folded theletter back up, I went outside and opened the mailbox, findingnothing but bills. It had been a week since the last letter myhusband had sent me and I had been anxiously waiting since. I frownedand turned to go back to the house.

          "Rosalie! Didyou get a letter today?" My neighbor, and co worker, called fromher side of the white picket fence

          "No, not today.What about you?" I walked over and crossed my arms.

          "I am sorry tosay I didn't get one either." She smiled, worriedly. "I am surethey are perfectly fine."

          "God willing,the war will be over soon and they can come home." I tapped theenvelopes on my hand, smiling at her.

         "I do hope so.Have a lovely evening. Call me if you need anything." She pointedto the three figures walking up to her.

          "You too." Iwaved at her and turned to go into the house.

     I put the bills onthe coffee table, with the newspaper from that morning, and went intothe master bedroom. I picked up my box from my dresser and sat on thebed. I opened it and picked the first one up, seeing John'shandwriting on the envelope.

          "Rosemary?" Iheard the door open, three figures came into the house.

    My grandfather had always been the one I was closest to, growing up and the only onethat came with me to New York, eighteen years ago. The rest of my family lived on a farm, with animals and an oil drill. He dropped the kids off at school in the morning and picked them up in theafternoon, with a grin on his face, I used to work at their school,but had gotten fired a few months ago and had to work at the high school across town.

     The twins were sixteen years old and intelligent, when they put their minds to something. Maria adored learning English and math as well as other things, while David enjoyed sports and exercise. They helped me influence Grandpa to get more exercise.