"Forbidden Love Triangle."

[Begins.]

It was a cold, dark and dank morning. My platoon had finally arrived at our designated duty station. As I caught myself trying not to yawn while removing the crusty cold from my left eye. I just realized that it was a tidbit smidgen past 5 something o'clock. Boy, I almost had forgotten the letter tucked away -- crumpled more like it, in my left coat pocket. How could I have even forgotten I had put it there. Certainly, I did not have time to properly place it in my US Army issued backpack.

Oh, what the heck! I was so glad I had the chance to even visit the post office back at the former duty station. You see, my friend, the year was 1942, and today is the 27th of January. And we are the first of, oh heck, I don't know, too-too many troops to arrive here in Europe to fight in what is supposed to be the war to end all wars! Some deranged fella, of what's his name, over there in Germany talking all this nonsense about some superior race of folks.

And, how he was commissioned by the divine to do away with, well my sort of people. Of course, we never met before, but my name is Willie Lee Jones, and I am from down south Macon, Georgia. So, don't get me wrong, for I do know a thing or two about this racial tension between folks of different classes, races, viewpoints and that sort of stuff. But let's leave that for another time, and hopefully a different place. Especially, once we get all settled in and I find some free time. Now, back to this letter in my pocket. Well, you see, it's from my girl. Her name is Cindy Georgia Browne. We don't live in the same town and stuff. Yet, we have been having this secret love tie going on for quite some time.

In fact, she is in all actuality supposed to me wedded to some other fella from, uh, yes two states over going west. That's it, you got it, I am talking about none other place that Sportsman Paradise, Louisiana. A little town named Monroe, just 3-minutes going to the right -- well, that depends if you are heading from Georgia heading West, just off Interstate-20. So, without further ado, let's dive right in, shall we? But, before we do, I have one simple favor to ask of you. Come in just a little bit closer! A little further.

Parrfect (in a notably distinct Georgian accent with an undeniable, what i call a slick southern draw)! Hey, promise me you won't tell a soul about this. You see, I didn't even tell you, that she is a colored girl. Why look so surprised! I know for sure that you have encountered a similar situation to mine at some point. Oh, don't be so green behind your ears. Anyway, back to the letter, now you cannot say what we are about to uncover, not even a soul. You do know how those southern folks can be at-times over simple situations like this one. Can get out of hand and become a blazing wildfire.

Afterall, a proud Georgian boy like me. And, four generations strong on both sides of my family. For on my momma's side, we are 100-percent Polish with a hint of Jewish. And, on my poppa's side, we are for the most part, pure French, Canadian French indeed and in fact. As far as my sweet pride and joy is concerned, she is part Cherokee. Along with a double-dab dollop of Barbados.

One hell-of-a Sweet Praline Pie. Except for that fiancée' of hers. But let's forget him and pay him no mind. Back to this letter (now fumbling to retrieve the crumpled envelope with letter from his coat pocket. I do have a few minutes to spare. What about you? You do have a few moments to spare with me before we head out to our newly assigned barracks? Great! (now meticulously opening the letter with his handy Swiss Army pocketknife) Okay, let's see what me dear girl has to say. Humph (taking-in a deep gasp of air while trying not to choke on some saliva that went down his throat due to being so dang nervous – aka "nervus")?

To my dear and sweet Willie Lee. I do hope this letter finds you in good spirit! My has time flown on by, since the last time I say you. Of Willie Lee. I tried so hard to not think about I last conversation. My heart has been indeed so heavy that I have not gone even one single day without being teary eyed. What are we going to do? My oh my, how did we even get tangled-up into this predicament?

How many times did I try to tell you about this young gentleman I am supposed to be engaged to! It would not have been such a tough choice if he had not lived over there on the east coast in Hartford, Connecticut. To tell you the truth, as I have been spending most of my waking hours alone and thinking about it, I really don’t love him.

Certainly, I do not have the same level of deep affection as I have of you, Willie lee. It’s just, this yet to be designated marriage ceremony is all due to my mother and father. You can say that his folks and my folks go back quite a way! If my mother was not so drastically insistent on my wedding this boy I don’t even love, Willie Lee, it would not be so hard to stand up and cancel this God-awful marital arrangement.

How can I even find myself getting married to this young man when my heart is with you? Even though you are so obligated to fulfill your military duty in service of our precious country, it’s like you never left me! To make matters even all the worst, I haven’t had my cycle in 6 weeks. Guess it is too late to cry over spilled-milk Willie, but I think I might be carrying your child.

Oh, my Lord, how am I ever going to get myself untied from this pickle of a situation. Well, that is all for now, Willie. I wish we had more time to talk about this. What an awful love triangle we have found ourselves! You over there to fight in the war. Me over here being pressured by my mom and dad. I keep trying to tell them that my heart is with you. I really did not want to mention all of this to you. But you ought to know!

Please make it back home. Be safe. You are already my devoted hero. Please keep that in mind. No need to try to be what you already are. I will write to you again, soon. Let you know what I have decided to do. Your Always True Love, Signed – Sincerely, Cindy Georgia Browne. And so, there is Willie Lee Jones, eyes open wide. With his head slowly sinking into his chest. What was once a slow and intentional monotone voice, has now become a delayed response. Well, I don’t know what to say?

Ahh, the last time we spoke, it seemed like everything was okay! I do admit we should have used better protection like she had so insisted! She did persist. How could this happen? How could my allow myself to lose all sense of rational thinking? How could I do this to my sweet Cindy! And, she is probably pregnant, with my child.

I am so sorry. I do apologize for dragging you into this situation. I really had not seen this coming my way! Wow. I mean after all, I was only expecting something to the tone of hello bae! I sure do miss ya. I am still yet unsuccessful with getting-out of this arranged marriage situation. But this was not at all expected.

Hey, there’s my captain. Time has slipped on by. Has it already been 25-minutes. I appreciate your lending me an open-ear. But, heck duty calls (while courageously wiping the few tears with ran down his eyes! And, this would be the last time that anyone would ever hear from our newfound hero. For our young and vibrant 25-year-old US Army Lieutenant, Willie Lee Jones would be reported as missing-in-action. For the record, this horrific update occurred just 6 months into his tour of duty.

[Ends.]