Cora, Book 1, It Begins

Chapter 4, The Letter

It was Friday night, the end of the first week at school. Cora rode her skateboard up to the gated "snob" community, as she called it, to deliver her apology letter. A little cooler that evening so she was wearing another of her favourite outfits. Well-worn camo pants, a Black Sabbath t-shirt, military boots, her worn-out baseball hat, and an original WW2 flight jacket.

Seeing the guardhouse at the gate she wheeled herself up to the window with her usual bright smile, "hi."

The guard looked up and found himself returning the infectious smile from this sparkling eyed girl. "Well hello young lady, what can I do for you? 

Cora showed him the letter, "I'm supposed to give this to Mr. Sicilano." 

The guard pulled up a clipboard, "what's your name please?" 

Cora quickly found out that she wasn't on the list so the guard couldn't let her in. He was a nice elderly man who was just obeying the rules. She actually didn't care if she delivered the note, but she had promised Miss Schmidt. Not to worry, she thought, I'll find another way.

Cora had instantly liked the old man. She got the impression that he was lonely so she decided to chat with him for a while. Besides, old people's stories were the coolest.

Once Cora got him talking, she discovered that he had been a WWII flying "Ace" several times over. He had flown hundreds of missions in his Mosquito, once even making it back to base with his tail wings shot almost off. She also learned that his wife had recently died, and he did this job to keep himself occupied and his mind busy.

Cora saw between the positive talk. Life after the war was difficult for him. He held no grudges, though. It's just as difficult for most Veteran's, tossed aside by the country they risked their lives for while the rich got richer. Kevin and his wife had struggled through, raising three children with low-paying jobs. Scraping by with every cent they could come up with. They often went without meals so their youngsters could eat. They succeeded though. Their kids grew up healthy and happy, never knowing the sacrifices made by their parents. All off living their own lives.

Kevin glowed with pride when talking about his family. Now, just him. Cora's heart sank. The prospect of what life would be like if anything happened to any of her family terrified her.

She remembered the time she came across Bawg sitting by Jawn's grave. She had approached carefully and slowly, sensing the extreme sadness in the air. When she got close enough, she saw the tears running from his eyes. She always considered Bawg to be so tough that nothing could bother him. Her heart sank to the lowest it ever had. She quietly, sat down beside him, wrapped her arms around his enormous arm and leaned on him. She stayed with him patiently until he was ready to leave. She felt he appreciated it. These thoughts far too difficult for her to bear, so she whiffled it from her mind.

Cora's jacket fascinated Kevin. He asked her where she got it, had she owned it for long, was it a family heirloom and so on. Cora told him it was given to her from a friend of her father's who fought with him. "Would you like to try it on?"

"Oh, I couldn't," replied Kevin.

"Sure you can," insisted Cora,

She took it off and passed it through the guard shack window. Kevin was apprehensive at first. The prospect of again wearing an actual WWII flight jacket was something he had never imagined. He knew the value of an original jacket in such amazing condition, not to mention the sentimental attachments.

"Are you sure?" Kevin asked, holding the jacket in trembling hands.

"Of course. Come on, I want to see it on you, I want to see it on an authentic war hero," she insisted with an enormous smile on her face.

Kevin held the jacket in one hand while running his fingers over the Canadian insignia with the other, memories of his greater years running through his head. "Well, I guess it would be OK for a minute."

With still trembling hands Kevin slipped one arm into a sleeve, then the other. When he pulled the jacket up over his shoulders and adjusted it he found the fit was perfect. Cora swore he stood taller. It warmed her heart to see him like this. "Can you do it up?"

"Let's find out,"  replied Kevin.

Cora noticed that the trembling had eased in Kevin's hands as he did up the jacket.

"Wow! It's perfect on you," she cooed while reaching in and adjusting a corner of his collar.

Cora looked into his eyes and saw a tear of joy slipping from the corner of one. "It's yours, It's always been meant for you."

Kevin looked shocked, fumbling for words, staring to unbutton the jacket to give it back.

"I insist," Cora said slightly more forcefully.

Without giving Kevin a chance to object again, she reached in and set the envelope on his makeshift counter, asking him to be sure Kyle got it. She quickly dropped her skateboard on the ground and pushed herself off to her next adventure. If she had looked back she would have seen the tears streaming down Kevin's face. It had been a long time since anyone had been so kind to him.

She was feeling so happy about the jacket she headed over to see Lisa. She made a mental note though to be sure she got back to visit Kevin regularly, perhaps she could invite him for Thanksgiving dinner. She would ask her mom

Kyle and the rest of his family had been sitting in the living room chatting when his father, Tony walked in. Chrissy had come over and she and James would catch a movie. Five Easy Pieces was on at the local theatre, and she wanted to see it. They rated it "R" but she knew she would get in if she was with James.

 Tony, coming home late, shouted for Kyle. In here, Kyle responded. Tony brought the letter from Cora to Kyle. He was proud that he had made that Bitch bow to his demands. Now his son would understand what actual power could do.

Kyle was concerned. He had talked tough, but he had endured her strength. She couldn't have seen him coming, but she envisioned exactly where he was. She had grabbed him, picked him up and tossed him to the ground like a rag doll. Her every move perfectly timed, machine like. After staring into her eyes, Kyle had decided Cora wasn't human, and that scared the shit out of him. He wouldn't dare tell anyone those thoughts, though. His father and big brother would laugh him out of the house. He endured constant abuse from them as it was and he could see no reason to add fuel to their fire. His friends would disown him too, they were no different from his family. Mind you, it seemed as if they already had. He hadn't heard from any of them.

Kyle took the envelope and ripped it open. He pulled out the letter, skimmed it, threw it on the floor and walked out of the room. The rest looked back and forth at each other. While they tried to figure out what happened Chrissy picked it up, reading it.

"That fucking Bitch!" Chrissy barked, "I'm going to fucking kill her."

Everyone turned their attention to her.

"What's it say?" Asked James.

Chrissy read it aloud.

          Dear Mr. Siciliano

          I'm sorry that Kyle is an asshole who assumes he has to pick on

          those smaller than him to feel like a man.

          I'm also sorry that his father is a drug-dealing criminal that had to

         bully his way into politics  while hiding behind his wanna be thugs

         making him an even bigger asshole. 

          Have a wonderful day.

          Your friend.

          Cora

The family was silent. Tony said nothing. He was not used to being defied. He always got his way.

 "I will destroy that petty bitch and her entire family. They will all beg me for mercy," he mumbled to himself.