Memories of Sanity

Chapter Four

Then it was back to reality. I awoke with my hands clenched trying to hold on to that life changing dream. I sat up in my bed taking it all in. I had the best memory of my life and had just woken from it just like that.

I was amazed, I had just remembered everything so clearly from 7 years ago. I had to accept the fact that the memory was gone. I got out of bed happier than when I first went into it.

I put on my day dress and hoop skirt, and put my hair up in a low bun. I went down to breakfast where Charlie was nowhere to be found but Marie was still happily eating the recently boiled eggs that my mothers maid Elyse had just prepared.

I sat down in the chair next to Marie and looked over at Elyse. Elyse is as old as I am. She came to work for us when I was just six years old. She has worked for us ever since then.

Any eggs madam? No thank you Elyse. I am sorry to hear about Andrew, I know how much you love him. He was a great man. The room went silent and I could tell it was time for me to leave.

I am off to Anette's house, she invited friends to tea. Tell Annie I said Hello. Elyse added I will grab your coat. It is chilly out today.

I started out at Annie's house. I haven't seen her since her wedding to a man named Peter Granston. He was eight years older than her and he had black straw-like hair. He is very kind to Annie, I am glad she found someone to care about her.

We met with other women from the area, most of them I had never met. We talked about all sorts of things such as our husbands, and some talked about their children. The oldest one was twenty eight and the youngest was twenty three.

I learned many names that day such as Louisa, Elizabeth, and Katelyn. They all somehow knew that I was married to Andrew but thankfully no one talked about him leaving for war.

Annie stood up and said this: The reason why I have gathered you all today is because I have some exciting news. You met the king? Louisa said with a smile. Everyone giggled quietly not to be rude.

Actually. Annie said with a groan. I am holding a party at our old college since we all went there when we were younger. We all looked at Annie with wide eyes. So.... Annie said. We will all go Katelyn.

After that I went to the city part of town where there was a dress shop. I was thinking of buying a new dress but I thought of a better way to use the money. Lucile! I turned around and saw that it was my old primary school teacher Mrs. Alamo. You are so beautiful! It's so good to see you, Mrs. Alamo. I haven't seen you since you left for college. Did you meet anybody there? Yes I met my husband Andrew in college. What joy! We stood there in silence for a while before Mrs. Alamo asked, "Would you like to go to the bakery with me?" Yes that would be lovely, thank you.

We arrived there and I got two loaves of bread and one bag of flour. We left the bakery and I wished Mrs. Alamo a good night and went home to make dinner with Elyse. Carlie was there that night with Marie. They looked so happy together laughing and smiling at each other when they thought no one was looking. I would just stare at them hoping that it would stay like that forever.

We finished making dinner, we made boiled chicken with freshly cut vegetables because we had Charlie over with us. I asked Elyse to sit with us. So how did you meet Marie? We went to primary school together and met at a party. Then he asked me if I wanted him to take me home. He could tell I was very uninterested. Marie added.

What are you planning for the wedding? Elyse asked. Something simple we were thinking it would be this next fall. Charlie replied. Who are you inviting? Our families and a couple of our friends. Marie said.

I have something for you. Charlie told Marie. He then pulled out a white rose. I just stared at them and it reminded me of something. Marie blushed and took the rose. Thank you. We talked for about another hour and I went to my room and got into my nightdress. I pulled out one of Andrew's old letters.

This was one that I got the day before he wrote this at war when he was supposed to be sleeping. I didn't realize how many times he rewrote this letter but I know now and it makes me look so stupid. Love blinded me.

Dear my darling Lucile,

I'm sorry I have caused you anger and sorrow. I had to do this, war is where I can prove to myself that I am more than just A poet.

I would rather die a hero rather than die a man who has nothing to show for himself than just poems and stories.

I know I will see you again. I know that I can control what I do. I can control my state of mind and my sanity. Don't let James bother you. I will set him straight when I come back.

You are my love, my one love.

-Andrew

I sat in bed and I looked at the letter one last time and I put it back into the box. I got back into bed and I laid down. I sat there for about thirty minutes and I whispered to myself. My love, my one love.

I fell asleep happy that night, so happy. I wish that could last forever.