Weeping Willows

Almost Paradise

Chapter 20

The next day Elizabeth found herself waking around noon. Rolling over she moaned miserably into her pillow. Last night after everyone had said goodbye and left, she had stayed up until the late hours setting her house back to the way it had been. She had been hoping to be so tired that her body would just sleep right through her birthday. It was wishful thinking though and as the sun light up her room brilliantly it showed her just how alone she would be this year. With depression settling over her like a thick fog Elizabeth got up to start her day.

She moved around her bed making it up as ideas to distract herself played in her thoughts. She toyed with each one before dismissing it as not being what she was looking for. Problem was she didn't know what she wanted just that it had to be a damn good diversion. Her eyes jumped around the room trying to find something before she fell into wallowing the day away. At that miserable thought her gaze landed on the box of letters across the room. Elizabeth had been kept so busy lately she hadn't found time to read another one. With a sad smile in place she opened the lid deciding it was just what she needed.

July 12, 1917

Dearest loved ones,

I am regretfully sorry that it has taken me so long to write you. Hopefully none of you thought the worst of fates had befallen me. I find myself busy as of late with new recruits coming in to replace those that have fallen. This is the first moment of peace I have found in the last weeks. There was nothing I wanted to do more then to contact all of you. You have all been heavy in my thoughts everyday as I hope I have been kept in yours.

I sit here in the sweltering heat and I can not help but think of summer days back at home. Remember the hidden spring that we found on our land that one summer when I was but a boy? We would play there every year after that enjoying ourselves until late in the evenings. I remember chasing little Annie through the Willows trying to catch her before she got there. Ruth, you would always scold us as you usually caught up at the creek. I remember how we would sing and laugh following the water with the sun warming our backs. I will never forget that feeling of excitement at parting the moss curtain that hid our spot away. I recall with such clarity how we would all stay past the sunset just to watch the lightening bugs come out. Mother you were always so cross with us on those days as we wouldn't be seen until dark. Those are some of my fondest memories and I recall them now for the comfort they offer wishing we could all visit there now. When this war has finally ended, and I find myself home we must go out there again.

I find I must cut this letter short as I still need to rest for today. Before I part however, I wanted to wish you sweet one a Happy Birthday even though this year is not quite so joyous. I wish you all good health and I love you each dearly.

Sincerely,

William Bennett

Elizabeth sat there in shock as she reread his last lines. Whose birthday had it been? George's maybe? He hadn't addressed him in the letter as he usually did but the thought didn't feel quite right. Could it have been one of his sisters' then but why not just say which one? Reading the words once again made Elizabeth feel like he was talking to a lover. Who was this new girl and why had he not mentioned her before? Her thoughts soured with a tinge of jealousy that surprised her. She had never met William before, but she still couldn't help her dislike for his mystery woman. As she read his words again, she couldn't help feeling as if they were meant for her. She rolled her eyes at the absurdity of the thought, but it still brought her a little comfort. She supposed there was nothing wrong with feeling soothed by the words no matter who they were written for.