A collection of short love stories from a different time, different place and whole other world entirely. All stories are written purely for escapism. Everything is fictional and are not intended to offend or resemble actual events, places and inci...
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The war has taken a few men from Goldsburg, including her father. They all listened to the radio every day. They prayed for the men who went away to fight for their country. They keep them on their prayers. Elise and the rest of the family prays for the safety of their father day and night. She writes to Matthew all the news she hears from her neighbors. And she was beyond happy to relay the good news about Catherine being with child. James was so happy.
The town had been talking about the war coming to an end. Or at least they hoped although the news becomes more troubling every day. The people of Goldsburg simply hoped it will end, so they believe what they want to.
However, telegrams came to the town of Goldsburg like hideous ripples through its serene and innocent face. The hope for the ending of the war, snaps in shattered glasses. Telegrams were delivered to families' proclaiming the lost of their beloved father, brother, and son in the battlefield.
Killed in action.
The Coopers' home had been one to receive the telegrams. Elise has come home to her mother weeping in the kitchen, James was on her side, his eyes bloodshot. Susie was slumped on the far side of the kitchen table, telegram in hand.
Her heart hammered in her chest. Half of her, doesn't want to read the letter. It would've made the tragedy not completely true.
But it had been true.
Just like the thought of their father not coming home ever again. Just like the thought that it had been the last time that they've seen him in his brand-new uniform and polished shoes.
Elise felt a pierce in her chest. She was crying before she's even knew what the telegram has to say. James was immediately on her side. He engulfs her in his embrace. They couldn't hold one another enough. They couldn't fill the emptiness their father had left them.
As devastated as she was, she couldn't bring herself to write to Matthew even after the funeral. She knew his exams was coming up and he'd been studying so hard. She doesn't have the heart to make all his efforts go in vain, so she hadn't written a word to him. She's even begged Lauren not to tell her brother just yet. Because if Lucas knows, Matthew will.
As they retreated to their bedrooms, the hollow silence of the house was palpable. Their mother had cried – never stopped since receiving the dreaded telegram. Elise knew she had to be strong. For their mother, and for Susannah. However, in the privacy of her bedroom, she weeps silently.
She brushes her hair as she regards her reflection in the mirror. She pinched her sunken cheeks. And even then, she was still pale, her eyes red-rimmed from all the crying.
"Elise?"
Her head twirled toward the door where Susannah strolls in with her crumpled Sunday dress. "Hi, are you okay?"
She gives her a look. "Are you okay? You don't need to pretend. Mom has gone to sleep." She sank next to her on the edge of her bed. "I'm scared, Elise," she murmurs.
Elise started brushing her sister's hair. "Me too."
"I didn't even get to say I'm sorry." Her voice cracked midsentence. "I'm sorry for all the troubles I've caused him."
"Susie." She pulls her into a hug. "Don't say that."
She shakes her head, crying now. "I should've been a better daughter like you."
Elise kisses her forehead. "If you're like me, then our house would be bland and boring."
"He told me I always stood out." She wipes her nose. For the first time in a while, she looked young as she was.
"See? Our lives would've been drab."
She snuggles closer to her and squeezed her face to the crook of her neck. "You won't leave, Elise, are you?"
"I won't be going anywhere, Susie. You might as well be stuck with me." She pinches her nose.
She swats her hand away. "Stop that."
Elise tweaks her nose one more time, until she lets out a teary laugh. Susie slides back away from her, her face melting somber all of a sudden. "Weren't you going to tell Matthew?"
"I will."
"When?"
"After his exams."
She bit her lip, her eyes flicking to her shoes – the way they would if she was guilty. "You have to promise not to be mad at me."
"What did you do?" Elise narrowed her eyes on her.
Susannah twiddled with her fingers. "Promise you won't get mad?"
"Okay, promise." She sighed.
"I, uh," she scratched the back of her neck. "I wrote him days ago."
Elise lets out a gasp. "Susie, why would you do that?"
"You promised not to be mad." She backs away when Elise raises from her seat.
She drops herself back on the bed with a thump and buries her face to her palm while Susannah shifted from one foot to another, assessing the damage she may or may have not caused. "Can I leave now?"
Elise purses her lips at her sister and motioned her hand. "You have three seconds."
She raced out of her bedroom, the door slamming close as she hurriedly scrambled to the hallway. Elise rested her eyes close for a minute. They were dry as sand and there was a pang in her throat that felt like a shard. Her head weighed heavily on her pillow, dragging her to sleep. When she woke up, it was already dark out. She flicks on her lampshade and curled herself up into a ball.
Then there was a soft knock on the door before it opens slightly.
"Susie, I'm still not trying to be mad at you," she murmurs, her arms over her chest.
Her sister gives the door a slight push, revealing that she wasn't alone. She straightened in her seat, her back ramrod straight against the headboard. Susannah looks over her shoulder and gestured him in. She gives her a contrite smile then closes the door to give them privacy.
Matthew strode across the bedroom to her, his face gentle and concerned. She watches him as he lowers himself on the side of her bed and reached for her. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm sorry."
His hand clasped around her wrist and he pulls her to him. "That's the last thing you should be saying right now."
"What about your exams?" She asks, even when her cheek was already on his chest.
"I asked if I could finish my exams early." His hand did a comforting stroke on her back as he places feathery kisses on her hair that assumed nothing but great solace. "You should've written to me. I'm sorry about your father."
Cotton lumped in her throat and she hears the first racking sob that tore at it. For the first time, she didn't hold back.
She lets her tears come down harder than a waterfall. She cried until she was exhausted. She cried until she passed out.
