Emerging Writers. Historical Fiction Part 8, by Mary Ann DiLorenzo
Journeying Back to What Used to Be, Part 8.
“You know Johnny, I’ve been meaning to tell you about Emily, but I didn’t want to because you haven’t asked and I thought maybe you just wanted to forget all about her and the dreams you had before the war.”
When Sam said that, Johnny suddenly felt the years gone by weighing on him. Emily, that seems so long ago, my goodness it can’t be that long. “Well Sam, I’ve been figuring to ask you about her one of these days. How is she and that Yankee husband of hers?”
“Well it’s kind of ironic, in a way, being as though she had no use for the war. Remember how she carried on so? Turns out her husband joined the war late, fought to end slavery he said. One of our boys killed him just before Appomattox.”
“Oh,” was all Johnny could muster at first, hearing the news. “Well surely she’s found someone else by now.”
“Naw, she’s only ever loved you Johnny, she just married that Yank to spite you, she was so angry at you for leaving and going to war.”
The past all came rushing back to Johnny then, all the plans he and Emily had, those plans before the war. How that war changed everything, for everyone. Johnny thanked Sam for filling him in and then he just turned and walked away.
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
