BAGGAGE III
concrete and suitcase hardware, 9 x 12 x 10 in
$700
Indianapolis based artist (b. Cincinnati, OH), April Berte Knauber, works in sculpture, video art, and painting. Knauber depicts her experiences as a Filipino-American with her use of materials such as rice paper, concrete, sound, and other mixed media. Knauber received her BFA in sculpture with a minor in art history at Herron School of Art + Design. She has been featured in 10011 Magazine, appeared as a guest speaker on Putty: A Live Art Talk Show and Listen Hear: Artist Talk. Knauber has been in multiple gallery shows including: Berkshire, Reese, and Paul Galleries, the Tube Factory, Sugar Space Gallery, Harrison Center for the Arts, Storage Space Gallery, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum among others. She finished her first public sculpture at the Elmira Annis Irvington Civic Plaza during her senior year of art school and was recently awarded the Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship through the Indy Arts Council. Knauber has shows up at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and The Archivist; upcoming shows at Vinegar Projects Gallery in Birmingham, Alabama and ROY G BIV Gallery in Columbus, OH.
My work revolves around the use of repetition, material, and language. I draw inspiration from my Filipino-American heritage and memories of growing up in a multicultural household and how it has shaped me as a person. From sight, sound, and smell, I use these aspects to create an overall multi sensory experience within my artwork that references back to a specific moment in time. Constantly replaying memories and bringing them into the physical world is the driving force behind my need for repetition. Replicating and taking into consideration the materials I use within each piece in order to fulfill a specific experience.
www.aprilknauber.com
@aprilknauber
Reese Herron Boyfriend, Bio, Wiki, Age, Family, Net Worth and Much More
Reese Herron Boyfriend, Bio, Wiki, Age, Family, Net Worth and Much More
Hey guys, in this post we will know about Reese Herron Biography, wiki, age, boyfriend, family, fitness (weight, height), career, Net Worth, social media handles (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube), and more.
Reese Herron
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Hey guys, I think you know who��Reese Herron is, if you don’t know who is Reese Herron and Reese Herron Biography and…
request: babysitter y/n babysits reese, and zach develops a huge crush on her.
this was super fun to write and this cONCEPT IS GREAT I LOVE IT so i hope y’all like it :))) (PSA: THIS IS LIKE IF ZACH STILL WENT TO REAL HIGH SCHOOL AND DIDN’T TOUR 24/7)
triggers: none i think
@whycantwemusic HERE YOU GO MY LOVE I HOPE YOU LIKE IT
||
y/n was greeted with a bright smile the moment the door of the herron household opened.
“oh y/n! please, come in,” mrs. herron ushered her in, seating her in the living room. “i’m so sorry we called you so last minute, but the business dinner we were called to is mandatory. we’ll pay you extra to compensate,” mrs. herron was dressed nicely, obviously looking like she had an important place to go.
“no, you don’t have to pay me extra mrs. herron. i’m completely fine with getting the normal, and it’s no problem, i love hanging out with reese,” she smiled brightly.
“oh y/n, you’re such a doll. and how many time do i have to tell you that you don’t have to call me ‘mrs. herron’, please, it’s myta. you’re practically family to us now,” mrs. herron sent y/n a heart warming smile.
“reese is upstairs right now, but i’m sure she’ll be down any minute. i have to leave now, but you know the drill. call if there’s an emergency, and zach will be home sometime in the next hour or so,” she paused, trying to think of anything else she needed to say. “that’s all for now i believe. i better get going, the car is running. bye, and thank you so much y/n!” and with that she was out the door, leaving y/n alone in the living room.
she stood for a few moments, processing all the information she was just given.
wait, zach is going to be here?
her heart began racing at the mere thought of the brown haired boy. she’s always had the smallest crush on him, and the fact that she was at his house almost every day babysitting reese didn’t make it any better.
y/n was jarred out of her thoughts by a little girl with long brown hair barreling into her.
“y/n!” reese yelled in delight, tackling y/n in a hug.
“hey there reese,” y/n laughed, catching the young girl in her arms. she spun around for a moment before gently settling reese back on her feet. y/n bent down to her level, a smile on her face. “what do you want to do today?”
reese didn’t respond, but simply grabbed her by the hand and began dragging her upstairs. they arrived at reese’s room, which was a pink paradise.
reese guided y/n to a set of child sized table and chairs in the corner of the room, seating her and immediately rushing to the closet.
y/n waited patiently as reese rifled through her closet, returning with two crowns, an a plethora of feather boas and tutus. reese carefully placed one of the tiaras onto y/n’s head, then placed one on her own.
“y/n, we’re having a tea party today,” the smaller girl announced, placing a plastic tea party set onto the table.
“sounds delightful madame reese,” y/n said in a posh voice, making reese laugh. reese draped a hot pink boa across her own shoulders, before taking a light pink on and giving it to y/n. she wrapped it around herself, taking a plastic tea cup in her hand.
“cheers,” y/n raised the pink cup in the air, clinking it against reese’s. together in sync, they put the cups to their lips “drinking” the tea inside with their pinkies out.
“that tea is fantastic, isn’t it lady y/n?” reese mimicked the posh voice y/n was sporting earlier, dissolving into giggles right after the sentence left her lips.
“it is indeed madame reese,” y/n laughed, clinking the plastic cups once again and sipping more “tea”.
||
zach unlocked the door, stepping into his seemingly empty house. well, he thought it was empty until he heard the laughter ringing from upstairs. zach set his backpack on the floor before walking upstairs, locating the noise.
reese’s door was wide open, giving zach the adorable sight of his little sister playing with y/n. they had tiaras on their heads and feather boas on, sipping on fake tea from plastic china.
y/n had always mesmerized zach in the best way possible. she was amazing with his sister, but not only that, she was so beautiful. whenever zach would come home after practice and see the gorgeous sight that was y/n in his living room, well, it was the highlight of his day. he was completely in love, no matter how much he denied it due to the endless nagging his mom would ensue about the girl.
he stood in the doorway for a few moments, simply admiring the scene before him when reese spotted zach.
“zach!” reese ran up to her brother, hugging him tightly before pulling him over to where y/n sat in the small chair with cheeks tinted red. “zach, wanna have a tea party with us?” zach hesitated for a moment, but the small girl shot him a pout that zach simply couldn’t resist.
“sounds fantastic,” zach told her, and reese immediately shot back over to the closet to go find him a tiara and boa. she returned a few seconds later, placing the crown on top of zach’s head and draping the purple boa around his neck.
“thank you, you look quite ravishing yourself,” he complimented her, making both their cheeks go red.
“oh my gosh, you guys should just date already,” reese commented absentmindedly, taking another sip from her plastic cup.
“w-what?” zach sputtered out dropping the cup he had picked up.
“that’s what mom always says, and i agree. you guys would look cute together,” reese smiled innocently, but y/n and zach were rendered speechless. “plus, it’s so obvious that zach has a crush on you, y/n.”
“reese!” zach hissed at his little sister, who gave him a wide smile. “y/n i-”
y/n felt a surge of confidence flow through her body, her embarrassment and nerves washing away.
“well reese, if what you say is true, i would love to date zach,” y/n said, directing her comment to reese. zach sat in his chair, completely silent and slack-jawed at what y/n had said. she wanted to date him.
the girl he had a crush on from the moment he laid eyes on her, had a crush on him. she liked him back. wow.
“i promise i wouldn’t lie to you, pinky swear,” reese held out her pinky, and y/n linked their pinkies together. “well zach, ask her on a date!” reese whispered loudly to zach, shaking him out of his daze.
“oh-” he cleared his throat. “well i guess i can’t deny it now, because reese is right. i really do like you, and if you would like, i would love to take you out sometime,” he managed to formulate a sentence, his hand going up to rub the back of his neck.
“i would love to go on a date with you zach,” y/n replied, leaning over the small table and pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.
“great, is saturday good for you?” zach has managed to calm himself on the outside, but his insides were jumping for joy.
“saturday sounds wonderful,” y/n’s insides were bubbling in excitement, the grin on her face not lessening in any way,
“so now that you’re going on a date, would you guys like some tea?” reese held up the plastic teapot, smiling widely.
Summary: you’re best friends with Ryan Herron and stayed with them while in quarantine.
1st person POV
Ryan Herron, my best friend since, well, forever. I was at Ryan’s house when the dreaded quarantine thing happened. That’s when we decided, what’s better than quarantine with your best friend? The answer is nothing. Well it was until Zach got here...
———
“Honestly I think this has to be our best idea yet!” I said while taking a freshly baked cookie off the tray. Ryan nodded, “who knew quarantining with your best friend could be such a blast!” I furrowed my brows, “Um, If I do recall, I did.” Ryan agreed with me. However, our conversation soon got interrupted.
“The favorite child just got here!” Zach yelled through the house. I sighed...heavily. Zach was the most annoying human on the planet, there wasn’t a time when he didn’t pick on me. He was constantly telling me I should date Ryan, even though he knows I’m two years older. In fact, I was closer in age to Zach than Ryan and he still insisted that we should date.
“Y/N!! Ah, my favorite person!” Zach said engulfing me in a hug, I hugged him back. Although Zach was annoying as fuck, we were still like family. “So, are you two dating yet?” He asked, I glared at him with annoyance, “You ask that question everytime you see us and the answer is always the same.”
“So I take that as a no.” Zach replied. As I was about to answer Reese came rushing down the stairs. “Zach!” She yelled hugging him. “Where’s mom and dad?” He wondered, I motioned my head towards the basement door, “They’re going through old things in the basement.”
Zach pushes past us and opens the dark brown door that lead to the basement. “Mom! Dad!” Was all he had to say. Myta and Josh hugged him so much his face got red from embarrassment, which I didn’t really understand why, everyone in the house was already family to him. “I love you guys too, but please no more hugging.” Myta and Josh backed away, “Right, you were probably over loaded with hugs before we even got up here.” Myta laughed, Zach nodded in response.
Zach found his way to the kitchen after unpacking, I sat at the island talking with Ryan. “What are you two lovebirds talking about?” Zach interrupted leaning against the counter and snatching a cookie from the plate infront of us, which was nearly empty. I flipped him off while smiling. In response, he put his hands over his heart and said, “Oh so sweet.” I giggled a bit at his actions and Zach smiled. I turned my attention away from Zach and onto Ryan, “As I was saying before someone rudely butted in,” I looked at Zach, “I like Jaeden, but I think our personalities clash a little.”
“Woah woah woah, who’s Jaeden?” Zach interrupted once again. I sighed, “Jaeden Martell, he’s an actor. I met him before quarantine, we’ve actually been friends for a while.” I explained. “Ok, but how’d you meet him?” Zach asked, I rolled my eyes, “My mom was a photographer at one of his shoots, and I just so happened to go with her that day.” Zach nodded slowly, “So you like him?” he questioned. I huffed, “Yes? Kind of? I don’t know yet! Now please stop interrogating me!” I yelled grabbing Ryan’s arm and pulling him up stairs to his room.
———
I gasped for air while grabbing my chest. I slept in the guest room like I always did, however, the bed in there always have me nightmares. My phone lay beside me, “Three AM, great.” I whispered to myself, expecting the whole house to be in bed. Quietly, I snuck downstairs and into the kitchen. I flicked on the light and grabbed a glass from the cupboard above me. I stood on my tip toes trying to reach on glass that was pushed way back, needless to say I was quite short.
I felt hovering against my back as I tried once more to reach the glass. From the side of my vision a hand grabbed the glass I was reaching for. I spun around quickly to be met by Zach, a slight smirk creeping onto his face. “Need this?” He said holding the glass out in front of him. I had been leaning against the counter while he hovered over me, his hand laying on the countertop beside me. I quickly took the glass out of his hand and pushed past him to grab the Apple juice out of the fridge.
“Thanks,” I said closing the fridge, “but I couldve done it myself.” I set the apple juice on the island while Zach sat spinning at the barstool across from me. “Really? Because it looked like you were struggling?” He laughed. “Yes I could’ve- wait why are you awake?” I questioned, his eyebrow lifted, “Why are YOU awake?” I turned around and put the juice back in the fridge, “You know I get nightmares.”
“Right, I forgot, same one as usual?” Zach answered, I looked down at the wooden floor, “Yeah...” I mumbled. He placed his hand on mine and rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb, “I’m here if you need to talk about it.” I smiled at the boy, “Thanks Zach, but I’m ok.”
I finished my apple juice, setting the glass in the dishwasher. As I walked out of the kitchen I turned back to Zach, “Goodnight Zach” He smiled at me, “Goodnight Y/N.”
———
It was around eight AM when Zach barged into my room, “Y/N!” He yelled, “I’m gonna need you to make more cookies.” I glared at him, my eyebrows furrowed and and a look of annoyance on my face, “You ate them all?!” I exclaimed.
“Well yeah they were really good. Plus you know I can’t help myself when you make cookies, you’re probably the best baker I’ve ever met. You should make the cake for our birthday.” Zach continued to ramble as I thought about our birthday. Ever since we were little we shared a birthday party, although he was a year older than me, we called ourselves birthday twins. We even used to have conjoined birthday parties, that was until he moved in with the Why Don’t We boys. At that moment I hadn’t realized how much I missed him, how much I missed being asked about Ryan and I, how much I missed when he picked on me. Although he was probably the most annoying person to ever exist I really did miss him endlessly.
I cut off Zachs rambling with a hug, “I really missed you, even though you make me want to pull out my hair, I really fucking missed you.” I said into his chest. Taken aback for a second, he sighed, then wrapped his arms around me and placed a kiss on the top of my head, “I missed you too, way more than I originally planned if I’m being honest.” He hugged me tighter.
“Zach! Come here and help me lift this!” Myta called from downstairs. Zach looked over his shoulder, then back at me, “I better go help her.” He laughed awkwardly. I let go of him, but before leaving he pulled my head towards him and kissed the top of my forehead once more. “I expect those cookies in an hour!” He yelled while going down the stairs. I laughed to myself, “What a dork.” I whispered.
Ryan came speeding through the hallway and pushed me into my room shutting the door behind us. “What was that?!” He asked loudly. I looked at him confused, “Um hugging? Sibling love?” He facepalmed, “That was not sibling love, you guys aren’t even siblings!” He retorted. “I don’t know seemed a lot like sibling love to me.” By this point Ryan was getting annoyed, “You guys barely even like each other, all he does is pick on you.”
Ryan was right, Zach and I never really got along, he’s teased me since we were kids. In the past few years, when Zach picked on me it actually gave me confort. It showed that fame didn’t change him, that he was still that annoying kid from down the street.
“I know he picks on me, I know we don’t get along, but I don’t know, I just missed him more than I thought.” I told Ryan. He sighed at my response, “I get it, sorry I freaked out.” I smiled warmly at the boy and pulled him into a hug, “It’s alright, I’d freak out too if you and my sister were hugging after being mean to each other for 12 years.”
“I really should make more cookies though, there’s only like 2 more left.” I said pulling out of the hug. “No no, there’s probably no more left, zach and Reese probably ate them.” He corrected while following me downstairs, we laughed.
“Enjoying quarantine I take it?” Myta asked from the bottom of the stairs. “It’s not so bad when you’re with your second family.” I smiled. She nodded and walked away smiling.
I pulled out two big baking trays to put the cookies on, the ingredients for the cookies, the measuring cups, and the mixer. “Can I help?” A voice asked from behind me. To my surprise it was Zach, usually Ryan was the one to help me bake. I shrugged, “Yeah, go ahead, I don’t mind.” I slid over making room at the counter. “Hey, I’m gonna go set up the blanket fort in the living room, maybe Reese will help.” Ryan said from the island. I nodded in response.
“Why do you wanna help? You never help me bake.” I asked turning to Zach while he mixed the batter together. “Exactly, I never help you bake. Plus, I said before you’re the best baker I know, and I know the boys would love your cookies.” He told me, I lifted my eyebrow, “So you’re here to steal my recipe?” Zach laughed, “Well, yes, technically.”
“Speaking of the boys, when do I get to meet them, you know I’m practically Why Don’t We’s number one fan.” I questioned. Zach stopped the mixer and looked at me, “What do you mean? You can meet them whenever, you’re always welcome to come over.” He answered. I laughed, “I am? Kind of funny since I’ve never once been informed when you live.” Zach bit the inside of his cheek, “Yeah I guess knowing our address would help.” I laughed again putting in the chocolate chips, “The secret is too put an extra handful of chocolate chips.” I told him.
I curled up in the blanket fort in between Zach and Ryan, Reese decided she didn’t want to be squished so she stayed on the couch, with a bowl of popcorn all too herself. We watched High School Musical 2, having watched the first one last night. Unsurprisingly, Zach sung through every song right in my ear.
Reese fell asleep on the couch, and Ryan went up to bed before the movie ended because he couldn’t stand Zach singing through the whole movie. So Zach and I folded the blankets ourselves. I grabbed the popcorn bowl from beside Reese who was curled up with her blanket. “I’m gonna put her in her bed, I’ll be back down to help in a second.” Zach said while picking up reese. “There’s not really much else to do, you don’t have to come back down.” I reassured him. Zach frowned, “I don’t care, I don’t want to leave you to do the rest by yourself, I’ll feel bad.” I huffed, “Fine”
I was washing the dishes when I heard footsteps from behind me, I spun around just before Zach scared me. “Gotcha!” I exclaimed, “Zach, I’ve known you for 12 years, I know you like the back of my hand.” I leaned against the sink with my arms crossed. “You don’t know everything.” He answered, and soon enough we found ourselves in the same position we had been in the previous night.
“I don’t know everything, but I know much more than majority.” I said poking his chest and pushing past him to grab a towel for the dishes. Zach himself also grabbed a towel to dry dishes with.
I sat on the island while zach put the dishes away. “You know there are chairs behind you right?” Zack spoke. “Yeah, but sitting on the counter makes me feel taller.” I admitted. He let out a small laugh, “Everything is done, you can go up to bed.” He pointed out. “Nah, I don’t feel like walking up the stairs.” I said looking at my nails. Zach walked towards me, “Do I need to carry you?” I smiled sheepishly, “Well if you insist.” I clung to him like a Koala. Zach let out a laugh and picked me up. I buried my head in the crook of his neck as he carried me. He smelled nice, something I never really noticed. His smell was indescribable, like a scent of his own, a good scent though.
When we approached my room I lifted my head up, his eyes met mine as a small smile crept onto my face, zach smiled too. It wasn’t until that moment that I knew why I missed him so much, why I hoped fame didn’t change him. He was Zach, my home, the person who I had loved from the get go and I didn’t even know. He pushed my hair behind my ear so he could see my face more clearer. Before I knew it I was being thrown onto the bed.
“Hey! You ruined the moment!” I whisper yelled sitting on my bed cross-crossed. He looked at me from the door way, “They’ll be more, don’t you worry.” He answered while walking out of the room. “Wait, Zach!” I called. He poked his head through the door way, “Goodnight.” I said. He smiled at me, “Goodnight.”
———
I gasped for air again, my hand on my chest. I looked at my phone, three AM...again. “Lovely.” I whispered to myself. Slowly I sat up placing my feet on the cold floor. It was quiet, something that barely existed in the Herron household.
I opened my door slowly so it wouldn’t make a noise and snuck into the bedroom at the other end of the hall. Inside Zach lay there sleeping. “Zach.” I whispered, “Zach.” I shook him this time. He responded with a lazy hum. “I had a nightmare.” I explained.
Zach moved over a bit and lifted up the covers, “Come over here you goon.” He answered with a lazy smile. I climbed under the covers next to him, his arm wrapped around my waist and he cuddled into me. I’ve never fallen asleep faster.
A/N This chapter is dedicated to all you lovely people who have sent me lil messages these past three days 🤍
T/W None...just a little sad
The rain didn’t let up by morning, the lighting and thunder keeping Daniel and Zach awake most of the night, their uniforms soaked through until they were shivering, huddled together in the muddy dugout for warmth. Zach still wasn’t doing well, keeping himself cuddled up against Daniel as if he was his mother, arms tucked around him and head on his shoulder. Daniel didn’t dare push him off. He kept an arm around the younger boy’s back, his eyes focussed on how the rain seemed to tear up the earth like small shells.
Daniel didn’t sleep for even a minute that first night at Passchendaele, praying that someone could just win the war and they would be able to go home. He felt guilty for not even caring who won, as long it would just be all over. Then he could be back in the garden with Elizabeth, starting their future together, and Zach could be safe at home with his mother instead of crying himself to sleep in Daniel’s arms on the muddy and cold Belgian ground.
Zach cried a lot since they left St. Julien, not even bothering to hide it half the time, and it seemed as though his cheeks were more consistently pink than usual, stained in tear streaks. Corbyn and Daniel never brought it up, not even making a move to comfort him when he would burst into tears over lunch or let tears trickle down his cheeks during Stand To; they just bit back their own feelings and turned away. Daniel found himself as Zach’s permanent safety blanket, the younger boy clinging onto him every night, his nightmares waking him most of the time and Daniel would pull him closer as he cried himself back to sleep against his shoulder. It was a torturous cycle for everyone; but Daniel had promised Elizabeth that he would take care of Zach so that’s what he made sure he did.
Daniel was raised to believe that men shouldn’t cry, so he forced himself into silence, preferring to bite his cheek and focus on writing his letters to Elizabeth. Corbyn seemed to be the same, silence often settling over their group of three. There was really nothing to speak about anymore.
The battlefield was silent for a while after arriving at Passchendaele, the soldiers busying themselves with rebuilding the duckboards and the trenches the best they could in the meantime. The rain never stopped. The trenches were flooded soon, the murky water reaching well over the freshly lain wooden boards until the water reached their ankles. Daniel forgot what dry clothes felt like.
Five days after they arrived at Passchendaele, a truck pulled up to camp to deliver mail, dry socks, and new uniforms. Lieutenant Colonel Seavey ordered the men the line up as he stood with the driver under an umbrella. The rain was down to a light mist that day, but the men didn’t even notice, having suffered five straight days of torrential downpour. Daniel gently pushed Zach in front of him in line as they waited their turns. No one spoke except for the Lieutenant Colonel and the driver who were handing out supplies and mail. When it was Zach’s turn, he recited his name shakily and Christian checked him off on his parchment in his hand as the driver shoved a folded uniform and a letter into his arms, a round metal helmet topping the pile.
Zach stared at it.
“Keep moving, Private Herron.” Christian said.
Zach shuffled off and Daniel stepped up next.
The brothers stared at each other expressionlessly for a moment before Christian looked down at his list and crossed of Daniel’s name. The driver handed Daniel his own stack of fresh clothes.
“Sir, there’s a letter for you here as well.” the driver said to Christian.
“Get rid of it.” he replied without looking up from his list, tapping his pen against the paper impatiently. Daniel glanced at the envelope in the man’s hand, recognising his mother’s handwriting on it.
“But, sir-”
Daniel turned on his heel with a scoff without another look at his brother and followed Zach into the trenches again. Zach was changing into his fresh uniform, standing up on an empty shell crate to stay out of the water as he buttoned up his jacket when Daniel found him, giving the older boy a quick glance before he bent down and grabbed the new helmet, placing it over his brown hair. Zach’s face faltered as he adjusted the helmet on his head, his lips in a pout as he stepped off the crate back into the water, instantly soaking his clean socks and trousers. Daniel took his turn to undress on the crate himself, pulling on the new uniform that was slightly warm from actually being dry, the feeling being the best thing he had felt in a while. The helmet was slightly heavy compared to the soft cap they were expected to wear before, and Daniel took a few tries to feel comfortable with it on. He looked down into the murky water and sighed before setting one foot into it, the cold water filling his boot and sloshed around his calves right away.
Corbyn approached them, already dressed as well, muttering a lighthearted, “Looking sharp, boys.”
Zach glanced up from where he was leaning against the wall of the trench reading his letter. He looked back down without a word.
“Did you get any mail?” Daniel asked Corbyn softly.
“No.” Corbyn shrugged. “You?”
“Yeah. One letter from Elizabeth and one from Mum.” Daniel sighed, looking down at the two envelopes in his hand.
“Want to read them over lunch?” Corbyn offered.
Daniel nodded, giving Zach a nudge so he could follow them to eat. It was the most they had spoken in a while, but they fell into silence again as they got their rations from the mess tent and found the driest place they could to sit.
Daniel balanced his mess tin on his lap as he carefully open his letter from his mother first, feeling like he owed her that enough since his brother declined even touching his.
My darling boy,
I know it’s been a while since I’ve written you, but I have been busy here at home. Anna and I have been going into the factory every day to sew uniforms and socks for the men. Have you received any? If you have, I have made sure to send an extra hug with them…I hope you can feel it. Anna misses you a lot, as do your father and I. We are sending prayers and well wishes. We haven’t heard from your brother since you were sent over. I hate to put this on you but if he is with you, please ask him to write me. I would love to hear from him although I figure he is busy as an officer – he explained as much in his last letter. I read your words often as they remind me so much of you. Keep each other safe. I love you, my sweet.
Mum
Daniel sighed as he folded the letter back up and tucked it in his tin box from the inside of his jacket to keep it safe before unfolding the letter from Elizabeth.
Sweetheart,
It feels like years since Christian took you away from me even if it was barely a day. I miss you terribly already. I’m being taken good care of by the nurses here…they also seemed smitten by you when you were visiting me…I made sure to tell them your heart is already mine. No one is to take you from me that easily! They say I am to be leaving on Sunday the 2nd in the evening. I will make sure to clean up the garden as soon as I get used to being back home as spring will have been well into blossom by then. I can’t wait to sit with you among the flowers again; the sunshine always makes your freckles surface over your nose and your eyes to sparkle. Write me as soon as you get note to when you might be dispatched, and I will make sure my best dress is ironed in time for when I pick you up from the train station. I’m getting so very excited just thinking about it!
Fight bravely, my love. Remember that I love you. So much.
Yours always,
Elizabeth x
Daniel let a calm smile come to his face as he folded up her letter again and tucked it into his tin as well before sliding it back inside his jacket for safe keeping.
“Good things?” Corbyn asked.
“Lovely things.” Daniel couldn’t hide his smitten grin.
“How about you?” Corbyn turned to his other side where Zach had barely touched his food.
“My sister drew me a picture.” Zach whispered, handing over the small piece of paper. Corbyn took it gently to admire it, Daniel glancing over his shoulder. The crayon drawing was of four stick figures all with brown hair and big smiles outside a boxy farmhouse. A pink pig with a curly tail was drawn on the end. “It’s us. Me. Back home.” Zach bit back a smile as if he wasn’t allowed to show an emotion other than sorrow.
“Are you the pig?” Corbyn teased.
Zach gave him a small shove as he snatched the picture back and struggled to tuck it into his inside jacket pocket, “That’s Petunia.”
“Petunia the Pig?” Corbyn snorted, smiling at Daniel who chuckled.
“Reese named her when she was 4.” Zach glared at them before shyly breaking into a smile towards his lap with the memory, “Wouldn’t let father butcher her for supper. Threw a massive fit, made a hell of a fuss every time he would even go near it.”
“The pig could have used one of these against your father.” Corbyn chuckled as he knocked on the thin brim of the metal helmet Zach wore with his knuckle.
Zach’s smile faded quickly, and he kept his eyes focussed on the ground as they filled with tears and he let out a small sob, hiding his face in his hands.
“Christ, here we go again.” Corbyn sighed, closing his eyes and leaned his head back against the wall of the trench, rubbing his forehead with his fingers tiredly.