Across the Channel

Chapter 1: Love-struck letters.

7 Months Later...

It's been less than a year since world war 2 broke out. Less than that I have been missing from Sam. And yet I still miss him. We write near daily.

He's been avoiding the drafts for some time, mostly because of his asthma, thankfully that's been enough for the British army to get off his ass.

In his latest letter he wrote to me he expressed his want to get married, something I have been putting off. He wrote to me:

"My Dear Elise, I know about the war, the financial struggles; But, marriage is for love, for the lack of a better word, I do love you. You know so. Maybe give it thought, I know you have much work. Affectionally yrs, Sam."

I miss him so much I don't know what to do with myself. No amount of alcohol or cigarettes could help me be apart from Sam for over 7 months. Even if I did drink anyway.

I am waiting for the time where I can get out of this. Where I can love him, hold him in my arms and not have to cross the damn waters to get to him.

This letter was so short, and I am starting to forget his voice. I want to cry, I want to scream, I want to run into the street and get hit by an on-coming car so I can see his beautiful face again.

I am going to fucking lose it if I don't get him soon. In anyway possible.

I start to write back, my desk squeaking every time I even moved my pen.

"Hi, Samuel. My regards are sent from Paris, I managed to find a cheap apartment here, I may not stay long, I find that waking up alone, without you by my side is too hard for me. I wish I could visit. Jobs are hard to come by, but easier now that the War has started, the working men are gone, leaving their jobs to us. How is it in London? Anything from the Royal family or Prime minister? As of getting married; Not now, as long as we are stuck away from each other, I don't think we can ever get married; but I do want to, Eventually. Forever your Star-crossed lover, Elise."

I hate every letter I write to Sam. It reminds me of every time I have to write; instead of speak, to him.

I miss everything about him. So much of him I yearn for, some I just miss, Forever a reminder that he isn't here with me. Forever a reminder of how this even happened.

After writing this letter; I broke down into shattering sobs. I couldn't fucking take this anymore.

I pushed both the pen and letter off the desk where I was sitting.

Remember, Remember, Remember!

I can't remember his voice, his touch, his smile, I can't remember; Him. His defining features, I can barely remember. The only things that lingered were his warm letters, that were turning cold with my tears.

As I sat there; sobbing, with my head in my hands, I felt a warm embrace from behind. Someone was hugging me.

"Elise." The person called out. Their voice muffled by my sobs and the beating of my heart in my ears.

"Elise!" The voice was clearer now; It was Christine. She lived in Calais... Why was she here?

I turned around to face her, my vision clouded by my love-stripped tears. She managed to pull me up from the chair with great force, and guided me to the small couch nearby.

It took me over an hour to get over this mental breakdown that forced it's way into my brain and down my spine. By the time I could even hear properly It was already 22:00.

Christine had just held me for duration of this. She shushed me every time I sobbed. I don't know why she did this; Maybe she was just sympathizing with me sense William is with the army?