Hey Sis, happy Cinco de Mayo. From the back, you look like things are doing fine. I hope the front is the same. Did you drop most of the baby weight already? And how are the boobs? Are they staying the same size? I know Mother kept hers after having me. Just wondering. Don’t go and think that I’m all perverted and stuff.

I just found your letter today stuffed away in a pile of folders and papers in my shop. My first class says that it has been there for 3 weeks. What a dick! If I would have known it was there, you think I would have left it? Hell no! Anyways, nice pictures. The tattoo makes Bentley’s feet look big and I like the handwriting used. It’s so cute though because in his it looks like a mug shot with his hands up the way they are. He’s got a lot of hair already too.

22 days till your birthday. Can you think of anything you would like? Ask Trenton the same thing. And start thinking about one thing you might like from overseas from Greece, Rome, Italy, Spain, or Bahrain. Those are a few of the ports I will be visiting. Maybe you can look them up or something.

The safety-driving course sucked. It was a waste of 8 hours but Caleb volunteered. He needed the points on his license anyway. I’m glad I was in the plus points because I got another ticket when I went to South Carolina to visit my grama, great-great-aunt (who is 94 years old) and stopped in North Carolina to visit my friend Megan from Florida. I think I was going 76 or 79 in a 55. Anything over 20 over the speed limit is reckless driving. It’s like 5 points off your license and stays on your record for 5 years. My insurance company is going to hear about this and charge me an extra $100 a month. I sure hope not. I’ve got good rates for someone my age.

We browse the liquor store all the time looking for new things to try. But it’s usually vodka or pretty colored. Tequila rose tastes like a strawberry milkshake and then you’re drunk. If they have Sailor Jerry out here I will mosdef [most definitely] give it a try. I need a beer so bad right now. The guy in charge of me is a… I mean seriously…, but dumb when it comes to common, simple shit. I just want to punch him in the mouth.

But let’s move on to a better subject. Caleb is 20 years old. His birthday is June 24th. He has brown hair and blue eyes. He is 5’10” I think and a major dork [introvert]. Though cousin Robert says that since he wears glasses that makes him an official geek. He’s not into all the wizard video games, but we do have somewhat of the same past. I realize there is no one else who can put up with as much BS as I give him every day and still be able to say I love you and really mean it. He tries so hard sometimes and I tell him not to, but he thinks I deserve more and that makes him try even more. It’s not a bad thing, but I don’t want him to think that I’m trying to take advantage of him or don’t appreciate him enough. Know what I mean?

We have been friends since June. And we started dating on 25 Oct. ’05, which means we have hit our 6-month mark. That in itself is incredible. You know that I usually don’t last that long, maybe 2 weeks tops, though I did manage to stay with Jordan for 81 days. I figure anyone who can put up with me for that long is worth giving a try. He loves how outgoing and adventurous I am, at least when I’m with him (so he can protect me). He also enjoys the little child things I do, whether it be our noises or wanting to do some dumb shit.

I can’t wait to see Bentley in person. I was going to get him one of those painted shirts with a Bentley on it and then his name and maybe something else, but the guy said he does all the details and the car alone was like $100. And I have to buy the shirt. But I will mosdef [most definitely] be sending some more gift cards.

More about Caleb. I know I would miss him if he was gone and being away from him makes me realize how comforting it is to be able to go home to him at night. I just hope that when I go on cruise [military underway], nothing bad happens while I’m gone. I trust him enough that I’m leaving my unpaid car in his possession.

I make $600 a paycheck now. $360 of it goes toward my car loan and insurance. $70 goes toward my phone bill. That leaves me with money for Bentley, gas, cigs, and I have been putting $50 into an ATM on the boat that I will be able to use overseas [not sure I got that money back]. The money I make is the paycheck of an E-3 or seamen. Caleb is an E-5 or second-class petty officer, so that is at least a $200 raise, plus he gets like $900 for housing. He paid my part of the rent, still buys me dinner sometimes, puts gas in the car, and buys me supplies for the cruise. So he takes care of me and he is attempting the college thing, as am I.

The whole aunt thing hasn’t really hit me yet cuz I haven’t been there. I haven’t seen him, but I did save money on my car insurance by switching to GEICO. Not really, I’m with USAA and they are the cheapest because the parents have been with them for so long and I used to be on their plan. But I did get a chance to hear Bentley on the phone at Grama’s house. It’s even more hard to believe that Lil Tig is a mommy.

Trent has been able to put up with you for this long and you don’t smoke like Nana so you have a chance of being a grama too. In a way it makes me want to have a kid so they can be close in age. Even though there would be like a 2-year difference if I got pregnant today. I know that Caleb isn’t ready yet and neither am I. I think he would be a good dad, so that my kid doesn’t end up in a situation like we did, because of the mom or dad leaving, like my dad who decided he didn’t want kids. (A lil too late.)

I want to fly Tiffany [Melzer] down here when she graduates cuz the parents won’t be here till Sunday night, the 4th. I leave for deployment on Tuesday morning, the 6th [I stay behind]. I’m also going to take another trip to see Eric before I leave. Have you seen Scary Movie 4 yet? Me and some of the Marines were talking about how they should make one of old-ass movies like Jaws, ET, and Big Foot or some shit. It would be awesome, New Kids on the Block or My Little Pony gone wrong.

The last tattoo I saw of Trent’s was the big one he got on his leg. I think it made for a total of 4 or 5, depending on how you count his chest (as one or two) they are separate but he got them at the same time. I don’t have room for much of anything on the boat being pink, green, or black. I wish I had the blanket with me cuz it gets cold on some nights. But I also have 3 or 4 to choose from here. There is just no room for a blanket. I will probably bring one anyway and cram it somewhere.

Mom was just asking me that the other day. She was wondering how you were going to raise Bentley. How strict you’re going to be. I think Brad turned out ok and his dad smoked a blunt or 2 with him. He’s a daddy now. I would say the same for Elijah for he’s a Florence gang-star, and Patsy’s only flaw was missing months of school, but she still turned out fine. You will always be his mom but you have to try and stay his friend [not the parent’s job]. Don’t keep him caged like we were but have a slight interest in his activities to make sure he’s not about to go to prison for dealing [or grand theft] or that he has 5 kids by 5 different girls [more popular trend than I knew at the time]. I’m positive you will do just fine.

My last day in the Navy is 18July08 [07Jan07]. But I will probably be able to take like a month of leave before that or maybe get out early to start school. I hope that I’m able to inherit Mom’s genes when it comes to youth. She just needs a better wardrobe. I’m glad that I finally got to the end of your letter. Chow is almost over. I’m going to eat and I will finish this later.

Ok, I’m back. I had a piece of ravioli, some rice, and 3 bites of chocolate mousse cake with pink lemonade. I wanted to tell you how this underway is going. The first day I was gone Caleb got my car towed but paid the $85 to get it back. The second day, he got an APB put out on it and when he went to 7-Eleven a cop searched my car. Apparently, his friend Brandon that he was with was accused of threatening to shoot these people. Luckily, nothing else came of it. And on the third day, some guy stole his wallet. He had his military ID and ATM card in his pocket so all they got was his credit card and social security card. He was able to get them both canceled.

On the fourth day, the CTTs shot chaff (a tube of aluminum confetti). We shot 8 and I had to watch at the console for the first 4 but was able to look out the window and watch the last 4. I wasn’t allowed to take pictures because apparently it’s top secret. But it still looked cool. Then I was BSing with the captain, telling him this and that (aka kissing his ass) and he was like, “Hey Wise, come here.” He brought me over to the speaker and told me to tell the crew the same thing I just told him. So I announced that after we shot it, outside smelled like cooked food and happiness and thanked the captain for giving me that chance to have the honor of being a part of this great event. I told you it was … Sailors and marines giving me shit. I’m the only Wise on board.

One time I went to his office for him to sign something and he asked me how wise I really was. What was I supposed to say to that? I didn’t want to say too much and have it backfire, but I didn’t want to look like a … Then the XO (the 2nd in charge) said that me and Eric must have been good kids to both be able to acquire security clearances [that neither of us used after both of us got out early]. What little they really know about me and my history.

Other than that it has been about the usual. Though I have not been able to get that much sleep. I walk around looking like a damn zombie and with the migraines that I have acquired from that concussion, I am hurting. All medical will give me is more ibuprofen (horse pills) that make me nauseated cuz I hate swallowing pills.

Write back soon. I will be sending pictures soon whether it is through mail or emailing them to Mom to give to you. I will keep in touch. Thank Pat and everyone else who has helped you with Bentley. I watched my roommate raise her baby and I helped her. I know it can be a hassle sometimes, but it’s well worth it. I love you and hope to see you soon. XOXO — Jessica