Letters Across The River | j.h.s. Short Story

Epilogue: The Ides of March

"Here's your ticket sir, please take a seat," the conductor said.

"Thank you," Hoseok said as he took a seat near the middle of the train by the window. Setting his items down gently across his lap, a light smile played across his lips as he stared out at the passing scenery.

"Those for your girlfriend?" a kind-looking old man asked when he was getting close to his stop.

Hoseok looked down at his neatly wrapped present and bouquet of flowers, smiling as he spoke.

"Yeah, they are."

"You remind me of myself as a young man," the old man said jovially. "I used to bring my Emi fresh flowers and kimchi every week-"

Beside him, his wife chuckled, effectively interrupting him. She tossed her curls out of her face with a flick of her wrist, her hand coming to settle on her husband's slightly tanned arm. Hoseok looked over just as the sun illuminated her glowing brown skin, revealing a mischievous smile.

"Herbie here used to pick flowers from his mother's garden every week and got his poor mother so exasperated that she gave him a plot so he could grow and pick his own flowers," she said with a laugh in her voice.

Hoseok laughed with the couple as he imagined the scene.

"What's your girlfriend like, dear?" Emi asked curiously. "That is if you're willing to tell of course. We old folks love stories as you can see."

"Ah no worries, I don't mind," Hoseok said. "My girlfriend's name is Essie and she's like a bright light that fills a room. We met as kids and have been best friends since then. She's beautiful and kind to everyone, no matter who they are. She saved my life and gave me hope for the future," Hoseok gushed, oblivious to the smile the couple shared with each other.

"She sounds like a keeper, son. Someone like that you never wanna let go," Herbie said, a grin matching his twinkling eyes as Emi leaned closer to him the way a sunflower grows toward the sun.

The train slowed to a stop as Hoseok gathered his things.

"This is my stop," he said, wishing he could talk to the couple some more. "It was so nice talking to you, have a great day", he said as he got up to go. The couple waved to him and exchanged goodbyes. Just as he was about to step off the train, Herbie's voice floated toward him.

"What's your name, son?"

Hoseok smiled as he remembered Essie's nickname for him.

"Hobi," he responded, seeing Herbie and Emi grin even wider. With one last wave, he stepped off the train and into the cool spring air.

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Taking the scenic route, Hoseok bundled his jacket around him as he walked through town, reminiscing about a time that once was. He smiled as he passed the swing set where he sprained his ankle and cried like a baby while Essie laughed as she half-carried him home. The bakery where they would put on their cutest faces hoping for a warm tasty treat still stood like a beacon of all that is lovely about childhood days.

"Wow I should come through this way more often instead of taking the shortcut, this place is still beautiful," Hoseok thought to himself.

As he got closer to Essie, his heart thumped with anticipation as he clutched his present and flowers tightly. Opening the gate, he walked up to her, smiling wider as she came into view.

"Hi Essie," he said with a bright smile, eyes glittering with unshed tears.

He sat down on the grassy hill and gently set the flowers down, arranging them in front of her.