The Long Journey Home

The Letter

Tilly Montgomery had finally found time to visit in town. She’d just left the home of Doug and Mary Jenkins when none other than Ellisa Townsend came running towards her, waving a paper in her hand like she had some big news to share.

“Mrs. Montgomery, I’m so glad I caught you.” Ellisa began breathlessly. As she recovered, she continued. “This came for you. Mr. Alberty said to get it to you fast. It’s from Dewy.” Hubert Alberty was the general store owner. Mail was delivered to his shop if for some reason the delivery could not be made to the recipient’s home. Tilly wondered why it had not been taken to their home.  

“Really?” Tilly smiled. “I’ve been waiting to hear from him.”

Ellisa blushed and sighed. “I have a letter, too. Though, I’m not sure what to make of it. He talked of Clem and some of the other men who died, but then he said he looked forward to our wedding, like we were still getting married. Tilly, what do I make of it?”

“He misses you is all. I’m sure that’s it, dear. I am going to read this bit of news in front of my hearth, I believe. I will pass any information along that needs to be shared. I’m happy you’ve received a letter, too, dear. Is there hope for the two of you when he makes it back?” Tilly asked, distracted by the passersby and the content of her letter.

“I think I will have to wait and see. I won’t know until he gets here.” Ellisa responded half-heartedly. “I’m sure no matter what happens, we’ll still be friends. I hope that’s enough.”

“We have to remember to forgive like the Lord does us. No matter how much he’s hurt us, we have to love him for the sake of all things Holy.” Tilly smiled, giving the young woman a surprising hug. She wasn’t such a young woman any more, at the age of twenty-one. Most women were married by eighteen at the latest. Tilly still thought of Ellisa as her daughter-in-law even though the girl had chosen not to marry when Dewy left for war. The poor dear, Tilly thought. She’d be an old spinster because of her love for him.

Bidding a goodbye wave, Tilly headed for home.

Ellisa didn’t respond to Tilly’s admonition about loving Dewy. She’d loved him since the day they met, when she was twelve. Dewy would always be the only boy with whom she wanted to dance, kiss, love until death. His face came to the forefront of her mind, and she headed for her parents’ home, hoping no one saw the tears streaming down her face.

~~~~~

Tilly walked up the lane, heading home. Philip, her oldest son, greeted her from the porch before she’d ever reached it.

“Why, hello, son. What brings you today?” She smiled, handing her small bag of goods to him. She’d managed to do a little shopping and had some cloth she was going to embroider for a new dining table covering.

“I needed to check on a few things. Paw asked me to come by for today, but he doesn’t seem to be about. Would you know where he is?” Philip’s query fell on half-deaf ears as Tilly thought about the letter she had to read and about how Gaius would react to it. “Maw?”

“Oh, he may be out in the stables, or checking on something further out on the property. Would you like to come in for lemonade and cookies while you wait? I miss having you boys around.” She responded wistfully.

“I’d love to come in. You’d have us both if Dewy had listened to Paw.” Philip’s words were laced with disdain for his brother’s actions. “I mean, I understand, but …”

“Now, Philip, we must remember that the Lord has forgiven him already, and we have to follow his example. I was just saying the same thing to Miss Townsend when she handed me Dewy’s letter.” Instantly, Tilly wished she could recant that last statement. She didn’t want anyone else to know about it until she’d had time to read it through. She wanted to prepare Gaius for the news, and not just thrust the letter in his face after dinner. Unfortunately, Philip had very keen ears.