Fading With Time

Chapter 17

Words Between Friends

Taking a steading breath Elizabeth shook out her unstable hands.  As if flopping them about would rid her of the growing nervous sensation crawling through her.  It wasn’t like she hadn’t ever read his letters before.  This time was different, however.  Instead of being a voyeur of his personal correspondence with his family he would now be addressing her.  The missive would prove that not only had her own letters reached him, but that he had read every one.  Reading the words written to her could be the equivalent of her diary giving her feed back on an entry.  Not only was that a little bit creepy but slightly invasive as well.  As if she herself hadn’t been spying into William’s private thoughts first.  Rolling her eyes at her juvenile behavior she attempted to put her wayward mind back under control.

                Elizabeth stared at the chunky envelope in her hands.  It didn’t appear much thicker than the ones she had in her room.  The weight of it seemed to grow with each passing second though.  She had a mix of anxiety and excitement churning her stomach.  The one that shocked her, was the longing she felt for a person she’d never met.  Perhaps it was because even though she had begun to interact with his family she still would never be able to meet him.  Then again it could be that she was missing Ryan more than she had thought and was transferring those emotions onto William by proxy.  Elizabeth found it frustrating that even though it was her own body she could not seem to pinpoint her exact sentiments or why she was experiencing them.  No wonder she had needed the help of a councilor.

                She carefully slid her thumbnail under the corner of the sealed flap.  Not believing earlier in the evening that anything would be found, Elizabeth neglected to bring a letter opener up with her.  Working at the old paste cautiously, the letter opened bit by bit.  When the last of the glue had been released she found herself dizzy as her breathing had turned to quick pants as if she were on the verge of panic.  Concentrating on bringing her erratic lungs back to working order her world righted itself.  She would have been overly annoyed if she had finally gotten the spine to open the letter only to pass out before she could read it.

                Squeezing the sides gently the envelope gaped open exposing its secrets.  Reaching in she carefully removed the contents from within.  She jerked slightly in fright when something fell onto her lap.  Staring at the object Elizabeth reached down.  With delicate hands she lifted the frail sprig up to investigate.  Tiny pieces fell from it with the action leaving an imprint of dusting behind on her clothing.  She held it lightly too afraid to damage it further.  It was dried flowers that looked as if they had been pressed between the pages of a book to preserve it.  The tenuous blooms clung together in a small clustering of faded blue flowers that faintly resembled baby’s breath.  Cautiously she placed it back into the envelope for safe keeping.  She would have tried to smell them before tucking them away, but she was certain that time had robbed them of any fragrance.  Curious now, Elizabeth turned her focus back to the letter in her other hand.  Unfolding the paper, she read.

Dearest Elizabeth,

                It is wonderful to finally be able to speak with you.  Between your letters and Annabel’s, I now have something new and exciting to look forward to.  I can not begin to describe how shocked I was to find the words you had written.  I had taken out my stationary to write my family that day.  Imagine my puzzlement when I came across a letter that I had not written.

                At first I thought the guys were putting me on.  No one in my unit knew what I was raving about.  I believe my commanding officer worried for my sanity.  It was not until Annie’s first letter about you that I came to see you were real. 

                Since then I have come to terms with what is happening.  I can not fathom why or how this miracle has occurred.  Nor why I was chosen to receive it.  I would never complain over something that I needed.  I was simply unaware of how badly until you found me.  From the correspondence you have written me it appears that you might be as lost as I.

                I am truly regretful to hear that you have lost your family.  To grasp what you have been through breaks my heart.  I remember when my father disappeared.  Even though I was young at the time, the day we lost him is still one of the most vivid memories I have.  If you ever need someone to unburden to I offer to be that for you.  Perhaps the simple truth, that I can understand where others may not, might be of help to you.

                I know you felt that you overstepped yourself by reading my letters.  I do not want you to carry remorse for that.  You saved me at a time when I needed someone the most.  I could not speak to my family.  They were already encumbered with much.  I felt an overwhelming guilt any time I became too weak.  I have penned many letters to them that I have never sent.  I could not in good conscious tell them all that has transpired since I have been here.  Your words unearthed me when I was in a truly bleak place.  I owe you a chit Lizzy.  You need only to ask of me and I will be there any way that I can.

                Being a friend to you as you have been for me is the least I can offer.  I am aware that your letters were not intended for the purpose they have become.  As you said that my words touched you, your voice in the dark touched me as well.  I do not know if we will ever meet one day.  The hope of such a thing gives me strength to keep persisting forward.  I believe things happen for a reason.  The two of us finding each other, no matter how impossible, was meant to be.

                I hope this letter finds you, and that it finds you in good health.  I would like to continue our friendship to each other as long as you are willing.  I wish you luck with your coming endeavor.

Your Friend,

William

Postscript:  If you need me I am but a letter away from you.

                Tears silently slid down Elizabeth’s cheeks.  Reading his words had been comforting.  Her body had become lighter with each sentence she read.  Part of her, in some way, seemed connected with him because of their loses.  Seeing the words, he had written to her seemed to make that bond stronger.  He was like a good friend that she could call at any time of the day she needed to.  She had a nagging suspicion that the lifeline he had thrown her would become a necessity.