by KL Donn
Dear Gage
A Love Letters short story book 2
KL DONN
Edited by
KA Matthews
Copyright © 2017 by KL DONN
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under the copyright reserved above, no part of this publication or any part of this series may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your respect of the author’s rights is appreciated.
This book is a work of fiction. The names of characters, places, brands and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and owners of various products and locations referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication or use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
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Warning: This book is intended for readers 18 years or older due to bad language, and explicit sex scenes.
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Blurb
A match made... by an 8-year-old?
Dear Paisley,
I wasn't looking for love.
I was fine with the life I had.
Then you wrote me and a whole new world opened up.
Dear Gage,
I've been alone so long.
Lost, scared, raising a son who needed a real man.
Then you came along.
Opening our hearts to your loyalty.
Dedication
For Scuba.
My own insta-love happily ever after!
Contents
Prologue
1. Paisley
2. Gage
3. Tommy
4. Gage
5. Paisley
6. Gage
7. Paisley
8. Gage
9. Gage
Epilogue
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also by KL DONN
Sneak Peek
Next in the Love Letters
Prologue
GAGE
To whom it may concern,
My name is Tommy Anderson, and I’m eight years old. I’m in third grade, and my teacher, Miss Gunner, is making the whole class write letters to soldiers.
I like riddles, do you?
This one always makes me laugh:
What currency do they use in space?
My mom thinks it’s funny, too. She has a nice laugh.
Gotta go do my homework now!
Your friend, Tommy
I couldn’t help my chuckle as I read the boy’s letter. I’ve been in the Navy for fifteen years, and I think this is the best letter I’ve ever received. My family writes me every once in a while, but this is different. I have a real chance to connect with someone who might need me.
After being in this hell hole for so many years and feeling like it’s getting worse rather than better, I like the idea of starting fresh once my tour is over in six months.
Tommy
“I hate you!” I’m screaming at my mom again because my dad ditched me. I don’t hate her; I know she does the best she can. I just wish my dad were here.
“Tomas Gregory Anderson.” Her voice is quiet, and I can tell she’s sad. I hate making Mom sad. Sometimes, I can’t control my temper, though, and she doesn’t understand that. “What is going through your mind when you do these things, baby?”
I’m so angry I scream again. Tears are rolling down my cheeks. I don’t know how to make her understand that I need my dad. “Cassie threw that stupid pencil first. She deserved it!”
“Miss G. said– “
“Miss G. is stupid! You’re stupid! Cassie’s stupid!” I see the tears pool in Mom’s eyes at my words, and mine stream down my face harder.
Stomping my feet, I run up to my stupid room and slam the door shut. Flopping down on my bed, I scream into my pillow like I’ve seen Mom do so many times before.
I just want my dad.
Paisley
I ache for my little boy’s pain. I hate that he feels abandoned by my ex, Jack. We were high school sweethearts, had our entire lives planned. We thought we were ready to be intimate at sixteen.
We were so wrong.
I don’t regret Tommy for anything. He’s the best thing in my life. Jack, however, is an asshole I could do without. As soon as he found out I was pregnant, he’d run. His parents handed me money for an abortion, and I never heard from any of them again.
About a year after my son was born, Jack showed up. He wanted to be part of Tommy’s life. At eighteen, I was skeptical and naïve and scared that I was failing as a mother. So, I let Jack in, and I’ve regretted it ever since. He pops in and out whenever he likes. Barely remembers to call on birthdays or Christmas or any other important moment in our child’s life.
Like the reason Tommy is currently acting out now. He had turned eight over the summer, and Jack missed it—big surprise there—but he promised to make up for it. Swearing to his son that they would go fishing next time he was in town.
That was two weeks ago.
Jack called, and they talked and made plans. Tommy was up at five that Saturday morning, sitting on the front step waiting for his dad to show.
He sat there all day long.
I cried harder that night than any other before it.
I think Tommy and I are at the point where I need to make the decision of whether or not to cut Jack out completely. At this point, he’s only doing more harm than good, and I abhor seeing my baby so upset. He needs a real man in his life.
Walking up the stairs with a letter from his soldier in my hand, I knock softly on the door. “Your letter’s here, sweetheart.” After waiting with no answer, I slip the envelope under his door and walk away. My heart as heavy as it’s ever been.
Tommy
Once my mom’s clear of the door, I scramble to the floor and fetch the letter from him. I don’t even know his name yet, and already he’s more dependable than my dad.
I rip open the letter and pull the paper out.
Hey kid,
Thanks for writing me. It’s always nice to know other people think about us over here. My name is Lieutenant Gage Drapper. I’m thirty-five years old, and I’m from Baltimore, Maryland. I like to fish, hunt, and play paintball with my nephews. Their mom hates that.
You’re a riddler, huh? I’ll bite, though I admit I ain’t so great at them.
Is this your answer…
Milk duds?
Why was the watermelon sad?
One of my privates told me that. I’m scratching my head.
So, your mom, she likes your riddles? What about the rest of your family? What else do you like to do for fun?
See you on the flip side, Riddler,
Gage
“Wow!” Gage sounds really cool! And he likes fishing! I wonder if he’d have time to take me with him. Maybe he could bring my mom out, too!
Then I’d have a dad, and she wouldn’t look so lonely.
Chapter One
Paisley
Dear Paisley,
I know I’ve been talking back and forth wit
h Tommy the past three months now, and he’s told me a lot about you. Actually, more than a lot. He admires the heck out of you.
Here’s the thing, he hasn’t mentioned you reading any of our letters, so I can only assume you haven’t? In which case, this is gonna be a shocker.
I’m almost positive he’s trying to hook us up.
He hasn’t outright said it, but he’s dropped enough hints that I can guess. Plus, the picture he sent me of you in a pretty little bikini, well, it gives a guy ideas. In his last couple letters, Tommy has hinted about me taking him fishing when my tour is over. We’ve talked a lot about his dad, and how he feels about the man.
It’s not my business or my place, I just…fuck. I don’t know. I thought you should know, I guess.
Yours, Gage
“Oh!” Tears stream down my face as I read Gage’s letter. I know about him, of course. Tommy talks about him all the time. In fact, since he’s begun writing to the man, his attitude has changed so much.
I thought I was getting my little boy back. I thought he was moving forward with Jack being out of our lives. I didn’t even get the chance to tell Jack off after the last time he’d broken his promise to Tommy. He just hadn’t been in contact.
I was worried, at first. Now, I suppose, I understand why Tommy hasn’t been too upset about it. I want to be excited that he’s happy, but after learning that he’s trying to set me up with a man I’ve never met, let alone spoken to, and who is lord only knows where, I feel like I should be even more worried.
“Tommy!” He’s in his room reading his own letter.
“Coming, Mom!” is followed by his footsteps barreling down the stairs like an elephant.
“I got a letter from Gage today, too.” The sneak flashes me a huge smile. “He says you asked if he’d take you fishing when he’s on leave.” At least he has the decency to look away.
“He’s in Baltimore, Mom! He could do it!” The eagerness in my son’s gaze breaks my heart.
“He also said you sent him a picture of me.” Little boys blushing is adorable, but I can’t let that sway me. Sitting on the couch, I pat the cushion and ask him, “What’s your plan here, sweetheart?”
With his heart in his eyes, he tells me, “I don’t want you to be lonely anymore, Mom.”
“Oh, baby, I have you. How can I be lonely?”
“You’re not married. And you don’t have someone to tell you how much you mean to them. Cassie’s dad tells her mom all the time. I want that for you.”
Crap.
I can’t lie and say I’m not lonely; I am. So much so, my heart aches. But I thought I’d done a reasonable job hiding it.
“Tommy,” a sigh leaves me, “you shouldn’t be worried about that.”
“I know.” He looks so sad. “Sometimes, I’m lonely, too, Mom. I want a dad that loves me. One who wants me.” Hope lights his gaze as he stares at me. “I think if Gage knew us, he’d want me, too.”
When he throws his arms around me, I fight not to break down and give into the emotions taking control of my heart and mind. My son, my life, is wracked with self-doubt, and I have no idea what to do.
Chapter Two
Gage
Soldier man,
I think Mom’s mad at me. She didn’t say nothin’, but her eyes were sad again. They’re like that a lot lately, and I think it’s ‘cause of me. Sometimes, I wish we were normal, and my dad wanted us.
She would be happy ‘cause someone would tell her she’s pretty and bring her flowers, and I’d get to go fishing.
Mom said I shouldn’t be putting pressure on you like that. I just know you’d love her, too, though. She’s pretty, right? She makes the best chocolate chip cookies, too. I sent you some this time. I forgot before.
Do you know when you’ll be home? Maybe we could have a BBQ? I’ll ask mom if she can make her Oreo cheesecake. She loves to bake.
Oh! And you could bring her daisies, they’re her favorite.
Gotta go to bed now!
Riddler
This kid’s breaking my fucking heart. I couldn’t lie and say I’m not attracted as fuck to his mom. She’s gorgeous. Long blonde hair, bright honey-gold eyes, plump lips I could easily get lost in. What pulled me in when I first saw her photo was her smile. It was real, genuine. I’d bet my last dollar she was watching her son when it was taken. That kind of radiance only comes from a deep love.
I pull the box of cookies from the box and see I have a letter from Paisley as well. I was concerned when I wrote her, but I didn’t want her to be blindsided when I show up on their doorstep in a few months.
I don’t know when I decided I wanted this little, broken family to be mine, but it’s done. They’re mine. I just have to convince her of that.
Biting into the first cookie, I moan like a teenage boy getting off for the first time. Holy fuck. The kid wasn’t lying. His mom is a goddess.
Dear Gage,
If you were here, you would feel my bewilderment. I’m speechless and mortified, and I don’t know what to tell you.
I had no idea Tommy felt this way.
Jack, his father… I can’t even write his name without feeling angry.
I’m sorry. I am so sorry. I can’t… Ugh. Obviously, it’s a touchy subject.
Tommy said he asked you to meet us when you come home. After listening to everything he had to say, and against my better judgment, I think it would be good for him.
If you wanted to, that is. There’s no reason for you to say yes and feel pressured. I just wanted you to know that I’d be alright with it.
Just please, don’t disappoint my son.
He… We can’t handle anymore.
Paisley
I wonder if I can ever make her understand that this letter has sealed her fate with me. She might not be able to see it, but I can. She’s interested in what Tommy wants to brew between us as much as me.
I only hope I’m able to pique her interested in getting to know me before I arrive.
Chapter Three
Tommy
It’s here, I just know it! We haven’t heard from Gage in two weeks now, so today has got to be the day he’s written us back.
Mom has secret smiles now after she reads a letter from him, and I think my plan is working.
“Sit still, Tommy. You’re like a jumping jelly bean.” Mom’s face lights up from the front seat of the car as we drive home from school.
Cassie doesn’t bug me as much anymore, and I like that. I can talk to her about Gage, and she asks me what kind of plans he’s making when he comes home. Her face scrunches funny when I tell her fishing; she thinks they stink. Mom does, too, so I’m used to it. Girls just don’t understand. Gage says it’s a great way to provide for your family. I kind of like the sound of that.
“I just know our letters will be here today, though!” I bounce excitedly in my seat, and Mom gets this look on her face. She’s trying not to laugh at me while attempting to remain stern. I like when I can do that to her. We always have the best laughs, and Mom soothes me.
“Shit.”
“I heard that! That’s one nickel for the swear jar, Mom.” We have a deal that when she says a bad word, she has to put a nickel in a jar, and when I slam a door or throw a toy, I have to do the same. At the end of the month, whoever has the least nickels in their jar gets all the money. Last month, I won, and we had pizza for dinner.
Mom’s smile is gone now, and I realize we’re home. Sitting on the front step is Jack. I can’t bring myself to call him my dad anymore. I don’t think he deserves it for the amount he’s made Mom and me cry.
“Mom?” I question when she stops in the driveway, and he stands. A stupid smile on his face.
“I love you, Tommy,” she says, and I can hear the tears in her voice.
“I love you, too, Mommy.”
“I want you to know, it’s your choice if you go with him. But if you don’t want to, I won’t make you.” Mom’s so strong. I know I’m young, and most people would s
ay I don’t understand what the wobbling in her voice and the look in her eyes means, but I do.
Mom doesn’t want dad to hurt me no more.
I don’t either.
“I don’t want to go, Mommy.”
Paisley
I shouldn’t be so relieved. I’m horrible for wanting to keep my son from his father, but Jack is so damn unreliable and selfish. He hurts Tommy with every broken promise, and I can’t stand it.
“You got it, baby. I want you to go on inside and get your stuff put away, and I’ll be in, in a minute.” I have to mentally build up my walls to face Jack. I know he’s not going to like me saying no about Tommy.
“Can I check the mail first?” he asks. I love that he’s always excited to hear from Gage. It’s sad that a man we haven’t even met is more reliable than his own father.
“Do it real quick.” My son’s out of my Jetta before I’m done talking.
Leaving the car, I watch Tommy run to the sidewalk to check the small mailbox. “Yes!” His cheer makes me smile. When he runs up to the house, he scowls when Jack tries to hug him.
“Tomas!” I scold him.
“Sorry, Mom.” His muttered words hold his reluctance to even look at the man. “Hi, Jack.”
I have to put my hands over my mouth to hold in the laugh at Jack’s shock as my boy runs inside.
