Page 18 of Signed, SEALed, Delivered

From: HorseWhisperer

CC:

Subject: I want to be Barbie

Dear Zach,

To answer your question, completely tongue-in-cheek, I want to be Barbie. She has everything, even two boys who fight for her, Ken and GI Joe. She is pictured and portrayed as the girl who can and will do everything. I envy her courage, always wearing a smile and perfect makeup, taking on every challenge little girls have been giving her for the past forty plus years. She has the latest clothing, which would make my mother happy, and a beautiful horse, which makes me happy. So, yes, I want to be Barbie.

But seriously, I'm twenty-three and I have my Master's degree. I know twenty-three and a Master's degree? I've always been an overachiever. In high school, I took as many college level classes as I could so when I graduated, I was considered a sophomore. I also found loopholes in the rules to graduate college. I tested out of as many classes as allowed and took summer classes every year. Last June, I graduated with a degree in design, but my passion is Equestrian Therapy. As a matter of fact, I just sent a resumé to one of the country's top centers right here in Atlanta, thanks to you giving me the courage to put myself out there. I haven't told my mother about the job, I know she wouldn't approve.

When I applied to college, she insisted I attend Princeton, while I wanted the University of Colorado. My father came to the rescue and made a deal between us. I got to attend U of C, but had to major in design, getting my degree in Equestrian Therapy was on my own time. Thankfully, my father extended his generosity and paid my tuition. For the past year, I've worked with some incredible people, learning what real pain is and adjusting my priorities. My boss offered me a permanent position, but I had to turn it down. I am a person of my word, having sworn to my mother I would return to Georgia and help her in her charity work. I do miss Colorado, the people and especially the horses. Granted, I could spend all of my time with the horse I own here, a rescue my father found through a client, but my mother would frown on the idea. To her, horses are something you brag about owning, not something you care for and treasure. Being seen with the right breed of horse when an important set of eyes are watching is more to her thinking. As much as I would love to get away from my mother, I like the idea of being in Georgia.

I love everything about the area we live in. I love the weather, the restaurants, and people...just everything. I'm also taking some liberty here and assuming you and your brother have the same last name? If this is correct, then I met him while attending classes. He was in a nutrition class I took as an elective. I only knew it was him because all the jocks were talking about him. You're right, he is athletic, and although he may be pleasing to the eye for some, he just didn't do anything for me.

I told my brother what you said about telling my parents about his career choice and he has decided to put his dream into action, so to speak. He is actively searching for a place. I'm sorry, I know I'm being elusive, but I did give my word after all. Your family seems wonderful and easy going. I would love to have a family like that.

As for Mr. Hawthorn, my mother investigated, he’s married, much to her dismay. He also has three children, two in college and one who is married and expecting a baby.

I was shopping yesterday and ran into Hannah, who was looking at engagement rings. Can you believe that? Jason hasn't even asked her and she's already picking one out. I mean, every girl looks through bridal magazines dreaming of what her wedding will be like, but isn't it the man's responsibility to pick out a ring she would like? Maybe I'm old fashioned in that respect, but it’s how I feel.

So a tattoo artist? Do you have any tattoos yourself? I don't want to assume due to your active duty status you have an anchor on your bicep or a naked lady on your chest. As for you describing yourself, you do seem like a handsome man. I've been described as the girl next door, not strikingly beautiful like my sister, Caroline. I have dark brown hair, brown eyes and skin so pale I get a sunburn from the fluorescent lights in the kitchen. I don't like to dress provocatively or display myself in any questionable ways. I wear glasses when I read, which I do a lot of when I have time to myself. My gosh! I sound like I'm forty-three instead of twenty-three.

I love horses; love isn't really a strong enough word for what I feel around them. I enjoy music, although the boy bands of the 90's are my weakness. I play the cello, at my mother's insistence of course, but it isn't my passion and I stumble my way through it.

I can't believe you went to SEAL training to prove your brother wrong! I watched a documentary after you mentioned it and the training looks grueling. You, Zach, have to be very physically fit. Oh no...that sounded like flirting. Honestly, I'm not. I'm like your sister-in-law Meghan; the cute and available guy would never ask me out. I can see why she avoided your brother's attention. Girls like me know what they see in the mirror every morning and it isn't the stuff they print in Sports Illustrated or Playboy, but more like Martha Stewart Home or Housekeeping Digest. I'm okay with the fact I will never grace the cover of a magazine or walk down a runway, but I have a passion for making every patient feel hopeful the treatment I help them with will work. With my years of design school, I can make the vision trapped in someone’s head, become a reality in their dream bedroom. Let's see Tiffany, Ms. November, who loves beach volley ball and puppies, do that.

I won't keep you any longer; I know you have a loving family to communicate with. You left me with questions, and since you admitted you wanted to continue to correspond, I wanted to reply. Tell me, Zach, if you could open a tattoo shop anywhere in the world, where would it be? I send you wishes to remain safe and for a speedy return to our great state of Georgia.

You friend,

Kennedy

When Zane and I were growing up, our father would give us, what we coined “life lessons.” He would tell us his secrets to successful relationships. Reading Kennedy's latest email reminded me of what he had told us the summer we went off to football camp. "Boys, girls are going to come in and out of your lives. Some will turn your head, but not your heart. So be careful of the ones that come in pretty little packages. Sometimes they're like those pieces of candy, sweet on the outside, but bitter and awful on the inside. You look for the girl who spends more time filling her brain than stuffing her bra. Looks may come and go, but it's a lot easier to have a conversation when you don't have to use pictures to get your point across."

Kennedy was thousands of miles away, through at least four different time zones, and yet she was as open and honest as she could be. She thought of herself as this plain, ordinary girl, but I suspected the reality was completely different.

I had six months left of my tour. Less than a year remained on my contract with Uncle Sam, and until this last mission, I was still riding the fence on staying longer. Diesel and I had several conversations about leaving and hanging out together. Something was pulling me home, back to the roots, which ran deep. Maybe it was the dream of a tattoo shop, or maybe it was this polite, proper, southern lady who has sealed my decision

In today's day and age, it might be odd that my mother doesn't have an email account, yet my eighty year old grandmother not only has email, but two Facebook pages. She's very computer savvy and it drives my mom insane. I haven't had a recent email from her and I was going to have to give her shit for it. I would have to tell Kennedy about the oddity that was my family.

To: CupCakeCutie

From: Michaels. Zach, L.T.

CC:

Subject: How are you?

Savannah,

Hey! I recently came in contact with a young lady who had the misfortune of being caught by a scam artist. I don't know how much of the news you follow, but a new scam has victimized young men and women who are trying to find a little companionship and maybe a chance at love. It specifically involves individuals who are interested in active duty military. This person, Virginia Greyson—the crazy bitch who is now sitting in a jail cell somewhere—sadly attempted to victimize a wonderful girl I have become friends with. Her name is Kennedy and she is from near where you and I live. Please, do your poor brother a favor and stick to dating someone close. Have Zane check them out. I have enough to worry about over here, without you doing something crazy. Mom and dad always told us everyone has someone special out there for them. I know it's hard to wait, hell I've waited longer than you have, but be patient and let it happen. I love you and can't wait to see you.

Your brother,

Zach

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