The Unbound Horizon

Evelyn 1867

Every week for the past month Evelyn had noticed a difference in Mason, and she liked it. He was becoming more and more like the Mason she knew growing up. Ever since Mason married Elizabeth he had changed, and she didn't like the person he had turned into. It seemed like overnight night he from having fun, loving life, smart, witty Mason, to a serious stern boring husband. For this drastic change in Mason she blamed Elizabeth, there was no other reason, she probably wanted a perfect husband, someone that would take care of her and support her, Elizabeth probably didn't even believe in having fun.

"Evelyn dear, it's so good to see you." Katherine said, leaning in to give her a hug.
"It's good to see you too."
"Hey Evelyn" Mason said with a slight smile.
"Oh, uh, hey Mason." Evelyn said somewhat surprised at the friendliness in his manner.
"How are you today?" He asked.
"I...I'm good, and how are you Mason?"
"I'm doing great, thank you. What have you been up to today?" Mason inquired.

What was happening? Evelyn thought, why is he being so nice, he hasn't talked to me like this in years. It threw her off, but at the same time she enjoyed it.

"Oh you know, same old same old." She said. Mason gave a short laugh at Evelyn's awkwardness, and then a sweet smile.
"Good, hey before you leave remind me to give you something."
"Give me what?" Evelyn asked confused, what in the world would he have for her.
"I just have something for you." And then he walked away at sat down at the table with everyone else. During dinner Evelyn was distracted, she had no idea what was going on with Mason, but none the less he was acting like his old self, and she liked seeing him like that. She didn't mean to stare at him, but she was so caught up in her thoughts that she hardly realized that she was staring at him, until he noticed her, and would smile. Oh that smile she thought, it made her heart melt. She knew he was married, but she hadn't been able to shake her feelings for him, she still loved him, and she really hoped that he still loved her too.

Mason

She was so cute, he thought. How she shy, awkward, and confused she was when he was talking to her made her endearing. He had been giving her smiles for a couple of weeks now, and decided that today he would engage in conversation, and he thought for the most part that it went well. He caught her staring at him all through dinner a little dumbfounded, and thought it was adorable. He knew she didn't understand now, but hopefully tonight after receiving his gift she would understand, and by next week maybe things would start to change for the both of them. When dinner was over, all the women stayed to clean up as the men went to have some whiskey and smokes out on the porch, while all the men were talking, the only thing on Mason's mind was Evelyn.

Evelyn

All through dinner and afterwards she was wondering what it was that Mason had for her, none of this made any sense, why out of blue would he be so nice, and have something for her. She tried not to think to much of it, and just take it as it came, but they hadn't hardly talked in two years, and now out of the blue he was acting like her best friend again.
"Johnson family!" Helen yelled, "it's time to go home!" At that all the men came in from outside, and everyone started saying goodbyes and putting on coats.
"Have a safe trip home Evelyn" Mason said, holding out to shake her hand. Evelyn noticed that there was a piece of paper folded into a tiny square that held between his thumb and his palm. She shook his hand got the piece of paper and stashed it in her coat pocket.
"Thanks, you too, I mean uh have a nice night." Evelyn said embarrassed, once again he laughed.
"You have nice night too." He said.

The second Evelyn was in her room she unfolded the piece of paper Mason had given to her. It burned in her pocket the whole way home. What did it say? She wondered, is he wanting to be friends again? Is he apologizing for the last two years? Maybe it wasn't anything like that, but she had no idea. She opened the letter and read,

"My Darling Evelyn,
I would be lying to say that I have not missed you and your company these past two years. I am truly sorry for the way I acted towards you regarding our friendship. Please know I no longer have any ill feelings or will towards you. Two years ago when you rejected my offer of marriage I was hurt, and did not know the correct way to address my feelings or my attitude towards you. It was easier to shut you out of my life. I realize now that, course of action was wrong and I apologize for any pain I have caused you.
Also dearest Evelyn, I want you to know what my feelings and intentions are now. A couple of weeks ago I had decided that I would try to win back your friendship. I had felt like something was missing I my life and realized quickly that it was you, my best friend. Something happened during my endeavors to make you my friend again, I realized that not only did I desire your friendship, I also desire you love. My sweet Evelyn I have realized that the love I have for you, I will always have for you. I have loved you since we were children and now I love you even more. I realize this is all very sudden, but know that I love you and want to be you, to give us another chance. Next week at dinner if do not receive a letter from you, I will know that you have moved on, and that you no longer have the same love for me, and I promise to leave you alone for ever. But if you do still love me like I know you did once please write me a letter and give it to me next week at dinner. All my love
Mason"