To be, or not to be: That is the question-Band Of Brothers

Chapter 7: Why is it okay?

She asked about their health and the well-being of their families. Femi, an only child, still had both parents alive and well. Amy, on the other hand, had two brothers—one old enough to serve in the Air Force in Italy, while the other barely reached her kneecap. Writing to them felt like stepping into a time machine, opening a window to a life she desperately wished she could return to. Memories flooded her mind—of carefree days and youthful adventures, the kind of moments that felt like another lifetime.

God, she missed them. Especially on days like this, when training had been grueling, her body ached, and her mind wandered. The only reprieve was the fleeting distraction of the dark-haired boy who always ended up just ahead of her in line during drills. She'd overheard his name once during an exercise where she'd been put in charge.

Eugene. Eugene Roe.

A small, fleeting smile touched her lips at the thought, a rare moment of lightness in an otherwise heavy day.

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Kiran had just left the mail office, dragged out headfirst by Luz and Malarkey, who had grown tired of her fascination with postmarks in every shade and color. Even Liebgott and Tipper, who had joined the jokesters on their way to the pub, were exasperated by her endless study of plants, birds, and berries—what was safe to eat and what wasn't. She liked to learn about herbs, and remedies.

"Oh, come on, boss. I think you just wanna keep these pretty blueberries to yourself," Luz teased, dodging a playful swat from Kiran.

"Yeah, sure, because I'm just as stupid as you, Luz," Kiran shot back, smirking.

"Hey!" Luz exclaimed, clutching his chest dramatically as the group burst into laughter.

"C'mon, Kieran, you've seen one stamp, you've seen 'em all," Luz groaned, tugging at her sleeve as she lingered by the mailbox outside the camp post office.

"You're just jealous because you can't tell the difference between a regular stamp and a commemorative one," Kiran said, raising an eyebrow.

Luz gasped, clutching his chest again as if mortally wounded. "How dare you insult my philatelic knowledge!"

"You don't even know what 'philatelic' means," Malarkey quipped, rolling his eyes.

"Sure I do!" Luz protested, throwing an arm around Kiran's shoulders as they started walking. "It means...uh, something to do with stamps. Right, Kieran?"

Kiran shrugged off his arm, smiling faintly. "Close enough, I guess."

"See? I'm a damn genius," Luz declared, grinning as Malarkey snorted in disbelief.

"Yeah, sure you are, buddy," Malarkey said, slapping Luz on the back. "Next you'll be telling us you're an expert on...I don't know, birdwatching or something."

"Oh, don't get him started," Liebgott interjected, catching up to the group. "You give this guy binoculars, and he'll spend hours spying on someone's wife instead of the fucking birds."

"Hey now, I'm a gentleman," Luz said, feigning indignation. "I only watch unmarried women."

"Unmarried women who still wouldn't touch you with a ten-foot pole," Penkala added, earning a round of laughter from the group.

Kiran shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips despite herself. "You're all hopeless."

"Oh, come on, Kieran, don't act like you're not entertained," Luz teased, nudging her with his elbow. "We're the highlight of your day, admit it."

"More like the headache of it," Kiran retorted, though her tone was light.

"What's that you're always scribbling in your notebook anyway?" Tipper asked, joining the group with his hands stuffed in his pockets. "Birds? Plants? Recipes for poison to put in Luz's coffee?"