Epilogue
At the age of 68 i guess you could call me an old man. Im a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars.
But this is not my story. I will tell you how the events came to place of when I heard it but it will be Her version. Her story. Just as she told me.
It was Veterans day 1218 that my grand daughter Amanda took me to a train station were we would ride the train and have dinner served to us in honor of our duty in the war. when we boarded the train a little girl no older then 6 with long blond hair and startling green eyes asked to take our pictures. Afterwards she ran off in happiness to find her next subject followed by a man only to be a as her father, an average looking man with brown hair and brown eyes. When we found our assigned cubby we found that we would not be sitting alone. Across from us was a women, most of her concealed by a black hoodie underneath a military jacket.
She sat starring out out the window. Her eyes, a liquid gold, looked like bottomless pits.
"Child",I say "someone so young should not look so lost to this world".
Slowly she turned to me, never in my 68 years have I seen something so beautiful look so empty.
"Ive seen the world sir. From sea to sea. The world is lost to me. I hold no value in it any more",Her voice was like rain in the night, soothing. With that she turned back to the window. "The world? All it wants to do is swallow you up, and leave nothing to be found. Trust me it already took me."
The sound of her voice, so lost, broke my heart even though i only just met her.
"What is your name? I'm William Gregory, This is my grand daughter Amanda Svlone"
"Jane Ashlen." With a teasing smile i say "Hello Jane Ashlen." With a small laugh she replied "Hullo, William Gregory and Amanda Svlone"
"Hi Jane" Amanda replies. "May I ask you Jane.why have you no love for the world?"
"AMANDA!!" "No is quite alright Mr. Gregory"
"Please. call me Will" I say. "Alright, Will" , she shifts in her seat leaning forward to take her coat and hood off. this may sound cliche but i am an old man so im allowed but, i felt at that moment i was facing an angel. Her hair was fiery red with a large braid down to her waist. freckles dappling a creamy face.
Still leaning forward she starts "would you care to listen to my story? I will warn you now it is not a happy one even though it may seem so in the begining."
"We would love to if you feel up to sharing."
