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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Summer, 1942
Her brother, James, had joined the army. As the war drags on, more men leave the town of Goldsburg, those comes back fortunately alive, never was the same. Some gets haunted by night terrors. Some who had never drank a drop, turns into a drunkard. Elise knew because neighbors talk.
She and Susannah help their mother at the furniture shop. Catherine, their brother's wife, makes sure to drop by and bring their daughter along. Elise understood her constantly leaving the house. It would've been unbearably empty without James.
The women prayed. Sunday masses are held like beacon that kept them all afloat, because in a way, it was. Praying helped appease their minds. The waiting for the ending is still torturous though. They listen to the radio with hope, then turns it back off, guts clenched because the news barely comforted them.
War was far from over.
However, life had went on and Elise along with Lauren, Nicholas and their friends were soon to graduate from high school. Also, she was turning eighteen. James had taken a leave from the army just for her birthday. The roses on her bedside table nearly brought her to tears. Nothing has ever felt the same since their father's passing.
Susannah, who was taking more responsibilities at the furniture shop, outgrew her stubborn pride and came to her room to greet her with a hug. Their mother had taken her to church. They were tearful as they prayed, knowing her father would've been proud to see her turn eighteen.
They invited their neighbors and all her friends to celebrate her birthday. However, her eyes frequent the front door the whole time because she was expecting Matthew to walk in. Nicholas and Lauren stayed close beside her. They stayed after all their friends left. They kept her company until the celebration concluded.
It was almost evening when Matthew's truck pulled up in their driveway. Elise races to the front door, flinging herself to his arms when she found him standing in their doorstep.
"Happy birthday. I'm sorry I'm late, sweetheart." He whispers as he gives her a soft kiss on the shell of her ear.
Her mother, Susannah and James came to greet the newcomer. Matthew apologized profusely. Their mother was too fond of him to mind his tardiness. James was too delighted to reunite with his daughter. And Susannah was simply happy for her older sister.
"Can I take the beautiful birthday celebrant for a drive?"
"Don't stay out too late," her mother says in slight warning.
James turns away from his daughter. "Don't run away, okay?"
Susie snorted, rolling her eyes. She disappears from the hall and came back with a sweater that she handed over to her. "You're merely borrowing my sister."
"I'll keep that in mind, Susie." Matthew chuckles.
Elise slipped her hand into his and happily waved at her family. She let him drive in silence, one hand on the stirring wheel, the other holding hers on her lap. His hand tightens as they turn to the winding roads toward the nearest beach. He's taken her there before. They danced barefoot on the sand and admired the navy horizon cluttered by stars.
