Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Dear Lucy,
I don't know how else to say this- more so write it I guess, and I hate to put you on the spot, but, I'm just going to say it.
I love you. There, that felt good to get off my chest.
I guess I've always known I loved you, but the feelings haven't really made themselves clear until now. I guess they started forming when Sid told me he was leaving, but that day feels miles away now.
The sticky, humid air of Mobile, Alabama beat down on Lucy as she watered the tulips in the family garden. Dainty white gloves covered her calloused fingers, hardened from years of working on the farm. Much to her mother's disdain, Lucy wasn't one to be prim and proper. She'd rather be on her knees with her hands in the dirt than socializing with debutants at a party.
At some point, her father stopped requesting her help on the farm, probably due to her mothers wanting of her to be a delicate young woman instead of a ranch hand. She sighed, wiping her brow as the sun shone brightly in her eyes, she'd do anything to get away from the hustle and bustle of preparation of her brother's going away party.
Sidney Phillips was leaving for war.
While their parents were proud of their young man going off to fight for his country, Lucy was terrified. She begged Sid not to go, she didn't want to lose her brother, her best friend. Sure, she had Honey and Annamae, they'd been friends since kindergarten. Life without Sid though? She'd rather die.
"Leaving me in there with your mother," A voice caused Lucy to jump. She turned to see Honey, fanning herself with her hand, "Are you crazy?" The brunette wined.
"I'm sorry you had to endure those few minutes of torture," Lucy smiled, setting the watering can down beside the house.
Honey groaned, her red painted lips forming a frown, "She won't stop going on and on about how proud she is of Sid, and Annamae is eating it all up."
"Of course she is," The golden-haired girl shook her head with a few giggles. Annamae Holt has had a crush on Sid since the third grade. The blonde woman had been pining over him for ages. It didn't help that he was her best friend's older brother, meaning she'd see him every time she'd visit.
Annamae was the most refined out of the three, she didn't dare leave the house without a compact to powder her nose, or a lacy hand fan if it got hot. Lucy's mother loved her and hoped that her proper attitude would rub off on Lucy.
"What is taking you two so long?" Annamae stood on the porch.
Lucy's eyes widened at the sight of her. She had changed from her original outfit to something that was a tad bit revealing. She could tell that Annamae wasn't trying to hide the bit of cleavage that peaked out of the buttondown top of the dress. "What in gods green Earth are you wearing?" Lucy exclaimed.
She whipped her head around as she heard laughter coming from behind her, "You sound like ma," Sid chuckled as he and Eugene approached the trio of young women. They must have been roaming the farmland again.
Lucy faked a gasp, "How dare you, " she grinned and slapped Sid on the chest as soon as he was close enough.
"Hey, Sid," Annamae called, she was leaning against the porch railing.
Sid smiled at the blonde, "Hey, Mae."
Lucy overdramatically rolled her eyes, faking a gag at the lovestruck looks they were sending each other. Eugene must have noticed because he was chuckling quietly, "Are you coming to the party, Gene?" She sent him a soft smile. Honey eyed Annamae, the two of them exchanged knowing glances.
"You know I wouldn't miss it," Eugene smiles, squinting against the sun.
I don't know if it was the way you looked in that dress or that smile you gave me, but I knew right then and there: I loved you. The sunlight surrounding you was like a damn halo, and you were the angel, right in front of me this whole time.
"We better get inside, your mother will pitch a fit if we're not helping her," Honey told the girls, feeling the need to break up the awkward sexual tension. "Come on, Mae," she walked up the stairs of the porch, grabbing the lovestruck blonde's hand and yanking her inside.
"I'll see you later, Gene," Lucy smiled before grabbing Sid's arm, "Come on Sid, you have to get ready."
You're probably confused on why on "gods green earth" am I telling you this now. The truth is, I wouldn't want to die without you knowing.
"You sure will, " Eugene called to her as she stood in the doorway, biting her lip nervously and closing the door.
Sid was silent for a moment, "What'd you two talk about?" Lucy implored.
Sid sighed, "I told him to take care of you while I'm gone, and if I-"
Lucy cut him off right there, slamming a gloved hand against her brother's mouth, "Don't you dare. You're coming back Sidney, even if I have to go over there and get you myself."
Sid smiled sadly as she removed her hand, "Just don't be too sad while I'm gone." He told her.
She let out a single chuckle, looking down to her feet, "I can't keep that promise, and you know it."
"That's why I asked Eugene to look after you. What kind of brother would I be if I left you on this earth alone?" Sid smiled.
The two embraced, Lucy could feel the tears coming already, "You come back home, Sid. Promise me."
"I promise, " Sid rubbed his sister's back to comfort her.
The two stayed at the entrance hall for a moment, hugging and comforting each other. The shouting of their mother brought them apart, and Lucy wandered to the kitchen to help prepare dinner for their guests.
I can't wait for the day that I'll see you again, to feel your arms around me. Till that day, I'll be praying to dream of you, just so I can see your face again.
