Emerging Writers. Historical Fiction Part 9, by Mary Ann DiLorenzo

The Sun Came Out Today

Never thought I would see it again

But there it was when I awoke!

 

The dark clouds had lifted ever so slightly

For it to break through

And it was warm to my weary bones.

 

The sadness was still there

Expect it always will be

But maybe soon I will smile again,

Yes, I will smile again, despite what has happened.

 

Journeying Back to What Used to Be, Part 9.

Sam didn’t quite know what to make of Emily shaking Johnny’s world again, but he called out to Johnny, “town tomorrow, right?” Johnny turned, shook his head yes and kept walking toward the house, not quite sure of anything anymore. He sat down on the porch and looked over the place he had tried to make a home once more. The house was livable again but it would be a while before he had the farm running like it used to be. “I’m gonna work my hardest to bring it all the way back! Pour myself into something till I get this all figured out I suppose.”

Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out that old worn letter and, just like that, it was the spring of ’63 again. Oh it wasn’t a particularly long letter, but even if it were, all the words would still be seared into his mind and heart forever. The night sounds were starting up in his part of rural Georgia as he read it for the umpteenth time.

April 20, 1863                                                                                                                            Concord, Massachusetts

Dear Johnny,

Hope this finds you well and safe. This crazy war! I had to get away, you know that. My dear cousins in Concord invited me and I gladly went! It was so sad without you home Johnny, all the boys had gone, left all of us sad and missing the happy days that seemed so long ago! And then reading the lists! The long lists of wounded and worse, holding our breaths until the readings were over, and if it were to be, those we knew and loved had been spared! Surely our disagreements could have been resolved! Surely the foolish Southern cause didn’t have to live and breathe and torment every one of us until it be spent!

I will always love you Johnny, but our old lives and everything we have ever known and loved will soon be gone forever. Nothing will ever be the same, you know that. When you left for the war, I felt it right then and there, maybe you did too. My cousins introduced me to a good man, so sweet to me and kind, who feels the same as I do about this insane war. We were married yesterday. I’m so sorry. Know that this was not easy for me, but it is all for the best, for the both of us.

Emily

“Nothin’ in that letter about marryin’ just to spite me,” he said out loud. Johnny folded up the letter and breathed in the sweet night air for a while, thinking. Then he got up and walked into the house.

Follow this Civil War Story About Going Home.

Journeying Back to What Used to Be, Part 1 

Journeying Back to What Used to Be, Part 2

Journeying Back to What Used to Be, Part 3

Journeying Back to What Used to Be, Part 4

Journeying Back to What Used to Be, Part 5

Journeying Back to What Used to Be, Part 6 & 7

Journeying Back to What Used to Be, Part 8

Journeying Back to What Used to Be, Part 9 (This one)