+ Prologue +

February 14th 2003

Dear Rhett,

It’s Valentine’s day when I am writing this. My roommate and some of other girls  went out with their boyfriends and before they left they teased me saying  you were my boyfriend . . . don’t worry I told them you weren’t. They said why else would someone write me over 1000 letters. I said there couldn’t be 1000 letters so, while they were out  I secretly counted them. The point is, in  3 years you have sent me 474 letters, including the cards. My favorite card is the one for my 21st birthday.

Do you keep everything I write ?  If not it’s fine. I know they are sometimes long and go on about nothing. I’m sure you don’t have the space to keep them. How was your Valentine’s Day ?

My parole and watching period is nearly over. My parole officer said I am the best client she ever had. My counselor is worried about me, I ‘m not sure why. I am still on some anxiety medications. I am counting down the days until I am free.

Juliana

 

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February 18th 2003

J-

Actually, I saved them all but, a few have some water (okay, beer) damage.

For Valentine’s Day I took Quinn’s  best friend from home to this charity dance. She was pretty nice.

I am getting the same itching feeling you have. I am ready to graduate.

Don’t know how often you talk to your Dad or anything but, I saw him at the Lake Compuance on Saturday. He was riding this kids roller coaster with . . .Hayley ,right ?

Crazy question do you think, I should call Quinn’s friend?

R

 

 

 

 

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March 7th 2003
Dear Rhett,

This is sloppy, I’m sorry  I am so angry right now I can barely hold this pen. I feel like all I can do is write to you. You know I have a job at the the county and do some translating for deaf people ? I told you about it in a letter a few months ago.  Well, today I got off early and went window shopping in this area nearby where I work and I went to one of those vinyl record stores, it is new. I went  just to look. I have never seen a vinyl and they sell CDs too. So, I was really thinking of buying something, listening to some LPs and just finding the right one and  then I lost track of time and I missed my curfew. The rules at this halfway house are so strict and they might extend my time here or make me go to jail.  This happens to everyone else and they are just angry but, I think I might cry.  I can’t be here anymore, it is killing me. I may not be able to see you in time for your graduation.I hate it here so much, I am trapped and don't have any real friends. There are just so many rules and I didn't even do anything that wrong. I'm actually not supposed to say that because they said what I did was just as wrong as anyone. Whatever.

I just wanted to vent.

Julianna

 

PS. If you see my dad don’t go up to him. He isn’t very happy with you.

 

 

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March 13th 2003

J,

I hope everything works out for you. I’m sending good thoughts your way. Also, if you know anything about calculus please fucking  tell me because I need to graduate.

R

 

 

 

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March 20th 2003
Dear Rhett,

Okay, everything worked out I can still leave on schedule. I’m sorry I freaked out on you I just really want to leave this place. It’s not bad or anything I just feel so trapped, I need to be out there in the real world with only myself to count on. Also, I want to see you. I wonder if you look the same, if you sound the same. When I get out my counselor said I should go to Connecticut and be with dad but, that scares me a little. What will we say to each other after the initial shock wears off ? 

I know this all pales in comparison to what is happening in the world. I am scared for you more than anything. I saw the news today about the invasion in Iraq. If you go overseas I don't know what I will do. Are you afraid ? I hope this whole Iraq thing is over quickly.

I really just want to see you more than anything else. I want to see the same ocean you are seeing for once.

Julianna

 

 

 

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March 24th 2003
J-

We are seeing the same ocean, dummy  ( :
I bet your view of the ocean in Florida is a lot prettier than the one that I am looking at.
If I see you will  you talk to me ? Like with your voice ?

Oh, and don't worry about me,okay ? I'm not trying to go to Iraq.

R

PS Thanks for the Paul McCartney CD.

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Please Join Us !

in Celebrating the Graduation of

Rhett Joseph Clark

graduating from

The United States Coast Guard Academy

Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

The Aqua Grille  35 Governor Blvd New London, CT

Saturday May 10th 2003

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April 30th 2003

J-

I want to write a proper last letter to you. I honestly can’t wait to see you. I just want to see you for who you are and my friends and family really want to meet you. Don’t be nervous.

 Thanks for this writing thing. It has kept me grounded, it’s been tough here at school but, you have kept me motivated somehow. I am kind of sad it’s ending, it is very bittersweet. When I met you I was a confused kid and now I’m a man with a lot of pressures on my shoulders.

Rhett

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May 7th 2003
Dear Rhett

I hope you are ready.  My hand is tired.

Yours Truly,
Juliana

_________________

Date: 05/19/03
To : rclark@uscg.gov
From : juliesheart@gmail.com

Hi,

So, I broke and contacted you first. Dad said I was wasting money with stamps and Tess mentioned I was better off e-mailing you. The library across the street from their apartment has free Internet so I suppose I will be a regular here.

How is Louisiana ? How is your job ?   I bet it is really hot in Louisiana.

I got a tentative job with the county and I am saving money. I work only a few days of the week but, at least I don't have to report to a parole officer. I’m sleeping on a couch and Hayley keeps asking Tess when I am going to be done visiting. She is 7 1/2 and doesn't really understand why this strange girl is living with her family. She doesn't remember me or know that Dad has two daughters. It is really pretty in Hartford I never noticed that.

*~Juliana*~

_________________

Date: 5/19/03
To: juliesheart@gmail.com
From : rclark@uscg.gov

Can I be pissed  ? I hate being back in this shit hole, but Mama would literally kill me if I left. Those assholes laid her off and now she has gotten kind of hard to live with and at the same time I can't leave her like this. I spend most of my time away from the  house at the bar or lake.  Am I terrible ?

At work I sit behind a fucking computer all day. It sucks. The pay sucks. I feel like a civilian, which is not why I went to a military academy. I'm  hoping I will get a new job with this Department of Homeland Security they are starting.  I feel like my deadbeat  friends who never left except I know the definition of scrupulous.

I can’t say much though.  Did you hear that new Fall Out Boy album ?

Rhett

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Date 05/24/03
To:juliesheart@gmail.com
From:rclark@uscg.gov

At least you are safe in America.

My dad and I had a fight. It was over everything and nothing. Tess says we need our space but Dad won’t leave the house and I have nowhere to go. . . . . . . .  Can I come visit you for the weekend ? I am going to tell him I am visiting Sawyer because he isn’t a fan of you. Dad doesn’t have Sawyer’s number. You mentioned a Memorial’s day event at the beach at your graduation party.

*~Juliana*~

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Date: 05/24/03
To: juliesheart@gmail.com
From: rclark@uscg.gov

It’s a lake party not a beach party, it’s not impressive but, it’s so hot here no one cares. You are more than welcome. It would be nice. I can take you swimming. I’ve really taken swimming up over the years. You swim, right ? All Savannah does is watch this dumbass modeling show.

R

_________________

Dear Juliana,

When you see this I will probably be in bed. Sweetheart, I overreacted with the fight. I am sorry, I am just frustrated and bored. I love you and I missed you so, when you wake up in the morning let’s have a  fresh start. I hope you had fun in Florida.

Love,
Dad

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IM session 05/31/03

rclark : U got home ok ?
juliesheart: yes. arguments are mended.
rclark : what was the fight over anyway ?
juliesheart: drugs. he thought i was overdosing on my meds. no one trusts me.
rclark : i trust u.
juliesheart: i dont trust u. u almost drowned me.lol.
rclark: id never let you drown
juliesheart: lol. i have to go. the library closes in an hour and i am supposed to be doing something productive.
rclark: it was hard seeing u leave yesterday.
juliesheart : i think goodbyes are always supposed to be that way.
rclark: yeah
julieheart: really have to go. Bye

7: 23 PM  juliesheart has logged off.

10:00PM rclark has logged off.

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June 6th 2003
Dear Rhett

Thank you for the weekend. It was really fun. I liked seeing you swim and meeting your sister again and watching you grill and play Texas Hold ‘Em poorly. Your family is so gracious. I will return the favor. Enjoy this fruit basket !
xoxoxoxo
Juliana

_________________

June 9th 2003
J-

Is it weird I am sending a thank you note for a thank you gift ? Mama is kind of crazy about thank you cards and making them all proper and right. I think it's a southern thing. She was going to hang me if I didn’t send this to you within 5 days.

Anyway,I took a short mission ( 2 weeks)  and I’m heading on a cutter to New London in a few weeks. I have a place to stay but, you can buy me lunch. I’m just kidding. We will go Dutch.

R

 

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Save The Date !

Juliana Reese

and

Rhett Clark

will be married

 September 29th 2003

Place and Time TBA.

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Change of Date !

 

Juliana Reese & Rhett Clark  

join in marriage

February 14th 2004

Freeport Southern Baptist Church

12 Noon

 

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Change of Date !

 

We want to thank you for your patience and kindness. For personal and professional reasons we will be postponing the wedding date. Please understand and look forward to a wedding date coming soon.

 

Julianna and Rhett.

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Join Us !

 

Please join

Mr. and Mrs. Rhett Clark

 in a

Marriage Celebration Reception

 Union Hill Baptist Church

Union Hill, Mississippi

December 27th 2003

 

 

 

 

 

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January 3rd 2004

Dear Sawyer-

Thank you for taking the time to come to Louisiana to attend our reception, we really appreciated it. Tell Elisa the web cam was really smart but, I may need some help setting it up. Thank you so much.

Mr. and Mrs. Rhett Clark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dear Mrs. Sullivan

Dear Grandmother Sullivan

Dear Nana,

Thank you so much for the lovely photo album and quilts, I will

Dear Nana,

Thank you so much for the lovely photo album and quilts, we will look at them everyday and think of you. I can’t wait to fill the album with our lovely memories and future events. I hope we get to see you very soon. God Bless !

Mr. and Mrs. Rhett Clark

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January 5th 2004
To: rclark@uscg.gov
From: juliesheart@gmail.com

Hi, sweetheart

If I have to write another god damn thank you note I am going to kill someone and you know who is on the top of my list.

I miss you and can’t wait to see you.(:

Love,
Juliana.