Page 26 of Chasing Justice
Glancing back at the table and the letters, Maya saw the small black box that sat on the other side of the table. The engagement ring.
“You know who that belongs to? I bet you do, but you’re not going to say a word, are you?” Maya said. Juniper thumped her tail and her golden eyes stared back. “Okay, I’ll read this first letter to you. We’ll see why Doug didn’t send these. Maybe he’ll tell me in the letters who this ring belongs to.”
Maya picked up the first letter and started.
Dear Maya,
I received your letter the other day and was glad to hear from you. I miss you. I’m not great at writing, but since you mentioned you don’t want to call, I’m going to do my best.
Things here are good. The job with the Forest Service is going well and someday, when you get home, I’m going to talk you into working with me.
I want to be with you. Not talking face-to-face might make what I’m going to say easier. I love you, Maya. And not in the way you’re thinking. I know you’d say you love me like a brother, but that fact is, when you left, I felt like a piece of me left with you.
Maybe someday you can love me like that too. I can only hope. Until then, stay safe and know that I care deeply.
Maya set the letter down on the table. She’d always thought of Doug as family—the brother she never had and the friend she could count on to go fishing, hunting and hiking with her. She’d had no idea he felt something more.
Before enlisting, Maya had asked Doug if he wanted to join the military with her. Her grandmother had encouraged her to see the world and she thought the Marines would give her that along with a sense of pride to fight for her country. But he hadn’t wanted to leave Colorado. Maya understood, but she knew she had to see the world before she could settle down.
Juniper sat up and draped a giant paw across Maya’s arm.
“Did you know about this?” Maya asked her. Juniper stood up, gave her a big lick, and then, feeling the pressure from the leash, lay back down.
“Good girl,” Maya said, petting her head and rubbing around her body, being careful to avoid her injured spots. She flipped through more letters with Doug filling her in about stuff happening at home and a couple more where he talked about their future. Then Maya found a letter where Doug’s tone started to change.
Hey Maya,
I want you to know that I do love you, I really do, but I met someone, and I think she’s pretty special. Right now, I can’t tell you who it is, so I’ll keep it to myself and at some point, when you come home, I’ll fill you in.
I hope you are doing well. Saw on the news that things in Afghanistan are, as usual, unsettled. I look forward to you returning and telling me about your experiences.
“Why didn’t he say who this mystery girl was?” Maya asked Juniper. Juniper whined and put her head between her paws. “Maybe he thought I couldn’t handle it. Wish he would have said who this person was so I could get her the ring...and see who stole my best friend’s heart.”
Maya knew she was a little bit jealous, but also happy that Doug had found someone. Although that someone didn’t care enough to show up at the hospital. Or maybe she was scared for some reason. Maybe the person was already in another relationship or even married. That would be a good explanation.
Juniper crawled forward and put her head on Maya’s foot. “Was she married? Is that why Doug didn’t say anything? Maybe waiting for a divorce to go through?”
Juniper lifted her head, cocked it to one side and then turned so her back was facing Maya and returned to resting.
“Okay, I get it, you don’t want to talk about it right now.”
Maya rummaged through more of the letters until she found one that was close to when she had returned home. She pulled out the letter and started to read:
Maya,
I still miss you every day. I love you, but I see now what you meant by we should just be friends. I’m very much in love with this person who walked into my life a couple months ago. I hope you will understand. I also hope someday when you meet her, we can still hang out.
While I’m in love, I miss having you to talk to. In fact, right now I wish you were here because things in my relationship seem so complicated. I went and talked with your grandmother today. She was helpful. Told me I’d always do the right thing. I wish I could believe her, but somehow, I can’t.
Maybe it would have helped if I had sent all the other letters. Your grandmother is worried about you. She said she can tell you are having a tough time. I don’t want to burden you with my troubles, so I’ll make sure you never see these letters.
Love you,
Doug
Maya set the paper down on the table. The room seemed to spin as shock washed over her body. What was complicating Doug’s relationship? Was this mystery girlfriend pulling him into something he didn’t want to do? Maybe even something illegal? Did it have anything to do with all the cash she found?
Maya thought back to Doug’s last words. That her grandfather knew the truth and that Doug wanted her to go talk to him.
