Letters from War

Chapter 1

"Can you believe it?! A man choosing country... over a woman..?!" Abigail howled, storming  around inside the gypsy wagon.

"You knew he was a soldier- what was he to do when the call came? Defy his command- not go overseas?" Melvina placed her hands on her hips. 

"Yes!" Abigail slammed her fist on the table. "That's exactly what he was supposed to do!" 

"He's dreamed of this since he was a child-"

"His dreams? What about mine?!"

"He loves you very much and you love him-"

 "Love? Hah! Love has nothing to do with marriage my dear. " She clasped Melvina's hands " Sweet child, you may be a brilliant  match-maker,  sweetly naive, you've lived too long in this fantasy world; traveling around- helping people believe in love, that you don't understand life. Love is just...  fairytale stories, they're not real." Her words made Melvina cringe; the only thing stopping her from giving this woman a well deserved slap, was that she believed, in her own strange way, Abigail was trying to help.

Abigail sighed hopelessly; Recomposing, before excusing herself out the door.

Melvina was furious. Love's not real? Damn society, damn normality, damn those too stubborn to believe in love!
 A fairytale ending is all she wanted for everyone- except herself; she honestly didn't think she could ever love a man more than she loved the open road. 

"So you've heard the news." Brody said cooly, leaning against the doorway, taking another swig of whiskey. 

"I'm so sorry-"

"Don't apologize- this is not your fault." he informed, inviting himself in and pulling  out a chair.  

"I really hoped you two would be happy- "  

He shook his head. "We were never going to be happy, the Abigail I knew, was a facade- used to sweep me off my feet." He laughed painfully, normally he was the one doing the sweeping of young ladies. He fumbled the almost engagement ring around in his hand. "Oddly, for once- I don't have enough of... what's really desired. That woman can love no one but money;  and i'm no longer foolish enough to believe other wise. " 

"You'll find someone." Melvina said, wishing to take away his pain. He gazed up at her, smiling, tilting his head, Staring- as if he'd never seen her before.

"My god, you're beautiful."

"And you're drunk." she giggled as Brody pulled her onto his lap.

"This isn't the whiskey talking. " He swore, sobering up; She kept her hand pushing gently at his chest.

"If you won't kiss me, will you at least write to me... Write to me while i'm away, Melvina" his blue eyes pleaded. She paused, biting her lip;  she was a dreamer, aye that she was- but she wasn't sure if she was ready to let her heart be teased...Again, by another man.

"I will..."

she agreed, kissing his cheek.