The Letter; Unread

By Sinclair

The Letter Unread: A love drama, Sammi and Ryan, reinventing love at the cost of losing one another to her mother’s envy and hate, all while serving time in Europe. Fresh, wild freedom until a harsh reality is afoot . . . UCMJ.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Feb 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9781532070211

Sinclair

Born in Harlem, NYC and a graduate of SUNY, with degrees in “The Streets” & “Academia (Computer Science[Computer Networking Technology] Multi-certified)-Switched majors in freshman year from philosophy; Published in two collections, as well as World of Poetry Anthology, “Journey...Nowhere” is his first totally independent effort”. Tries not to follow politics, but is often compelled to do so. A free thinker and an Independent Liberal. Animal lover, and likes people who are kind, sensitive, and calm, as he enjoys these qualities in himself. Retired from the tech industry, and is now a full time writer. Love’s his work! And, although he’s said to have some regrets concerning the past, “I am content with the person I am now”.

Book preview

Chapter 1

In the midst of potential, a compliment is without saying.

Ryan was the youngest soldier to have enlisted in Europe. It was 1987. He had just completed leave, after basic and had departed the bus. Germany. Europe. He had never in all his wildest dreams; and he was a daydreamer, dreamt that he would ever be in Europe. Munich, London, Italy, and all these places he would visit.

His English and Sociology teachers had always encouraged him. Once in English class, he had written a story and it was the best in class. He received at least a 94.

In his preoccupation, thinking about a girl who, as they both shared a crush for one another; having shared a kiss in the 9th grade, hadn’t spoken a word of intimacy and they were in their senior year.

Ryan, since your paper was written so well, (she praised) would you read it aloud?

Not feeling up to it, because he had written Priscilla a letter and the response he got was what he expected. You were just too late! she responded. He wasn’t disappointed, hurt a little but, for the most part was too shy. Priscilla too.

No one but themselves knew how they felt. It had started way before high school. Even before middle school. Their fathers worked together and they frequented each other’s churches from time to time. She was beautiful, he had noticed early and she was so smart. They were good friends and it would have made their relationship perfect because they were friends.

Mrs. Johnson read the story aloud and it was as she graded, A material. Ryan loved to write, he shared many poems with Deanna, his best lady friend. With all she knew of Ryan, she never knew it was Priscilla that he adored. She thought it was a girl named Janet, who had transferred to another school.

The story was quite amusing. A setting of medieval times about a fair maiden named Lovely Linda. He used his English teacher’s first name, respectfully. Ryan was definitely a daydreamer. All of his poems and stories were vivid and cast straight from his colorful imagination.

He had read Priscilla’s letter twice and as she sat across from him in English class, and could do nothing but confers every time she looked across. Ryan was love sick.

Priscilla was dating an underclassman and he was not good for her at all. He was popular and was Ryan’s cousin. He never judged her for it, because he didn’t want her to think that he was making rumors because she was with him. That wasn’t Ryan’s style at all. Priscilla knew this.

Upon graduation the topic changed.

What are you going to do class? asked Mrs. Johnson.

Ryan?

I don’t know, still occupied with the letter, umm the military, he focused.

Mrs. Johnson knew that college was not in the bank for Ryan, but he deserved to go. He was a great student. That kind of mans man was true popularity. Everyone shared a bond with Ryan. From a small community school, two schools merged from elementary and the bond was classic. Faculty to students; a great bond, a real good school. There was the occasional racism, but what school, for the most part doesn’t? Close nit more than divided.

Ryan did want school and he really didn’t know of his options, didn’t ask, but decided military to be the best because there were no jobs, well not that he was qualified for, so the military it was. A chance to work, get paid and earn money for school.

The bell rang and sociology was his next class. Priscilla had lunch. They knew they had to talk but when and where? Sociology rendered the class to focus on role playing. Mr. Mahaffey paired Ashley and Ryan and as young couple who had just received the news of their pregnancy. An interracial couple, not that it mattered.

Ready Vermit? The name Ashley gave Ryan. Pet names.

Let’s do it Nasty a name he had given her because he caught her and Mike, her boyfriend kissing one day and the name nasty stuck.

They could have easily been a couple, the presentation was perfect. Literal behavior of a relative situation. Mr. Mahaffey always encouraged Ryan. He noticed his personality to be that of a people person. He sought him to be career minded, just that.

Chapter 2

The ceremony was honorable. All soldiers, an auditorium full veered as Ryan accepted his award for the youngest soldier at that time. A plaque and a ribbon he was honored. A morning interview that was televised on the Army station across Europe. A big honor. The interview was shabby. Had Ryan known he was being televised, may have presented better, but the shyness shown, which turned out to be cute. The interview was also placed in the paper.

Is that him? Ryan heard, entering the pizza bar on post. Two girls smiled as he walked by.

I think it is. The shorter of the two answered. The pizza bar was everyone’s hang out spot, a place to read, relax watch videos and of course, enjoy a great slice. AAFES pizza.

It was attached to the small PX, the Post Exchange; that somewhat of a department/convenient store. A place to get all your supplies from batteries to brass belt buckles. The alliteration.