Katlyn Eubank
I have an honest to goodness love letter in my hands. I mean, I did have to print it out first. It was technically a love email, but I’m counting it anyway. After all, how often does a girl get a love letter?
My senior year of college, in Sociology, I had to sign up for Letters Across the Lines for an assignment where we were paired randomly with military personnel to exchange emails. It was supposed to be a way to connect different experiences and understand each other’s worlds better.
But I never expected to form a connection like the one I did.
I’m waiting in an airport, which—according to every romcom out there—is notably the epitome for romantic gestures. And I’m holding a love letter that I’m pretty sure is from my best friend’s older brother.
Shifting anxiously, I open the letter and read it for the millionth time since receiving it last week.
Dear Sunshine,
I know we agreed to keep this anonymous, but I think we both know that this has gone far past what either of us expected. Every email has felt like a lifeline, a glimpse into a life we could share. It’s funny how a few words on a screen can create such a strong connection, isn’t it? I’ll be coming home next Saturday. If you’ll give me the chance, I’d like to meet you in person. Until then, know that you’ll always have a piece of my heart, even if I remain a stranger to you.
Always yours,
G
The first word that caught my attention was “Sunshine.” Since we’ve been in touch, I’ve been going by S for Summer, but only one person has ever called me Sunshine—Garrett. The “G” ending each email suddenly feels way too suspicious. He was my childhood crush, my best friend’s brother, and the man who gave me my first kiss the summer before my senior year of college. Two days later, he broke my heart, telling me it wouldn’t work between us, before being deployed. And now, Garrett is coming home. It’s Saturday, just like the email from G stated.
There’s too much evidence, and yet barely any at all. I just figured out who my mystery marine is, but how long has he known it was me?
“Why are you all jumpy?” Haley, the aforementioned best friend, asks from beside me.
“Sorry. Too much coffee, I guess,” I lie.
“Well, he should be here any moment. His flight was supposed to land fifteen minutes ago. So, I’ll go pull the car around and then—”
“We’ll meet your parents at the restaurant. It’ll go great,” I reassure her.
Haley’s been meticulously going over every detail of today’s itinerary just to keep herself from fidgeting. She smiles gratefully and nudges me. “You know, Garrett’s been asking about you when he calls.”
Surprised, I raise my eyebrows. “Yeah?”
“Oh, yeah. I think he’s kind of excited to see you. You wouldn’t happen to know why?”
She’s hopeful. She’s always wanted me with Garrett so we can finally be “sisters for real.”
I shrug. “Not in the slightest.”
“I think I know.”
I consider telling her about the emails but lose the chance when a deep voice interjects from behind us. “What do you think you know, baby sis?”
Haley squeals excitedly, leaping for her brother. My spine goes ramrod straight. I try to breathe through the nerves, turning to face them.
My gaze pulls to Garrett’s like a magnet to metal, surprised to find his already fixed on me. He grins, and my heart skips. His dark hair, buzzed short, and his broadened shoulders only enhance his looks since our last meeting. The uniform doesn’t hurt either.
“Hey, Summer.”
Be calm, cool and collected.
“Dinner!” I blurt out. Chagrined, I try again. “The restaurant. Your parents are waiting. We should probably go.”
My cheeks burn hotter than the sun as Garrett struggles to contain his laughter. Haley gives me a loaded look, and I consider the merits of putting a paper bag over my head when she says, “I’m going to pull the car around. I’ll be right back.”
She smacks a kiss on her brother’s cheek and gives me a thumbs up as she bolts for the doors, leaving us alone.
After she’s gone, I unconsciously take a step toward him as he does the same. I wonder if he feels the same inexorable pull between us.
“What’s that?” He gestures to my white-knuckled grip on the letter.
I pull it protectively behind my back. “Nothing.”
“Doesn’t look like nothing.”
“It’s from G. That wouldn’t mean anything to you, would it?”
He pauses, the expression on his face conflicted. “Sunshine…”
That single word is confirmation enough. “Did you always know it was me?”
“From the very first email,” he admits.
“How?”
“You started it out with that same cheese pun that you use every time you meet someone new. It’s—”
“It’s gouda to meet you,” I finish.
He chuckles. “That one. You were in every word, every joke, every question. I knew in my bones it was you from the start.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I was afraid! I had just ended things with you, so you wouldn’t spend your last year at college waiting for me. If I told you, you might’ve stopped writing to me. I was too selfish to let the woman I love go a second time.”
The confession gives me courage to offer my own. “You’re right. I would have waited. I would have waited a lot longer than a year, because I love you too!”
Garrett searches my eyes. “Do you mean that?”
I take his hand, our fingers entwining. I look deep into his eyes, feeling the weight of my words. “Yes, I mean it. Let’s not waste any more time.”
He kisses me, his lips conveying everything his emails couldn’t.
Spark Flash Fiction 