Weeping Willows

Chapter 12

Secrets and Little White Lies

                In the early evening Elizabeth awoke from her nap slowly stretching to work the kinks out.  She was a lot sorer then when she had first laid down.  She moved slowly trying not to cry out and alert whomever was on the other side of the door.  The light from the next room shone across the floor as light muffled voices could barely be heard.  Pushing herself up Elizabeth’s hand brushed something on the bed making a crinkling noise as she flexed her fingers on it.  Reaching over to the bedside table she flicked on the lamp as her back made a horrendous pop.  Cringing she inwardly wondered if this was how sleeping beauty felt after her long slumber.  If so, why did Aurora even bother to wake up, and for a measly kiss at that.  The pay off just didn’t seem equal to her.  At the thought of a kiss something niggled in her memory but was soon brushed aside when she caught sight of a letter next to her.  Picking it up Elizabeth wondered what it was doing there.  She remembered wanting to read another one just before she passed out but had no memory of taking one out.  Pushing herself up to prop against the headboard Elizabeth settled in to read William’s next letter before alerting anyone to her current state of wakefulness.

                                                                                                                                                June 28, 1917

Dearest family,

                I was pleased to receive all your letters and love.  Tell George thank you for the drawing I enjoyed it a great deal.  I shared it with all of the men in the trench with me and it brightened everyone’s day.  Many told stories of their families back home afterward.  I even shared some of my own.  I think it made each of us feel a little closer to our loved ones to do so.  Tell Annabel I have found her the perfect suitor for her as well.  Stop scowling Annie I am merely jesting at your expense.  I would never impose my ruffian of a sister upon any of these brave men.  I would be doing them a great disservice if I did so.  I smile as I imagine the scowl upon your sweet face dearest sister.  It truly warms my heart to know that even so far apart as we are, I can still impart my words of brotherly wisdom.

                I am set at ease to hear that you received a missive from Henry.  To know he is unharmed and doing well brings me peace.  It brings me solace to know that his words will have eased Ruth’s fretting as mine could never do.  Be strong for George as you were for all of us not long ago.  Remembering the strength, you carry with you fills me with courage every day.  I have not forgotten how you pulled me through such dark times.  The memory alone pulls me still.  Heed my words though sister that Henry will need that strength one day as well.  When he finally finds his way back to you, you may find him a much-changed man.  Do not be discouraged for if anyone can bring him to right again it shall be you.

                Mother, what can I say that would be adequate enough to convey my sorrow at not being with you every day?  I miss your warm smiles and loving embrace.  I miss the meals you cooked for us daily.  I even miss the tannings to the backside I well and truly deserved as a young boy.  Find consolation in knowing you raised a strong man.  And believe some day I will come home to you all.  Even if the man who greets you as mother one day is more a stranger then your son.  Love you all more than words can express.

Sincerely,

William Bennett

                Elizabeth watched as the words blurred behind the tears in her eyes.  The thought that the men that came home to this family weren’t the men that left them made her heart clench in sympathy.  Her tears fell silently as she placed the letter back into the envelope.  Reading the words to his sisters had her thinking of her own big brother.  The years of teasing she endured as well as the abundance of love she received.  She missed him and wished for nothing more in the world then to see him just once more.  She would give anything to be harassed by him just one last time.  She choked back a garbled cry just as the door to her room opened.  Elizabeth hid the letter beneath her pillow behind her as she wiped furiously at her eyes willing them to stop watering.  Jan frowned as she came over to the bed seating herself beside Elizabeth.  Jenny stood in the doorway looking indecisive. 

                “It was just a bad dream is all.  I’m alright.”

                “Why don’t you go get the dinner you brought Lizzy while she calms down a bit.”  Jenny nodded and left the room still looking unsure but pacified for the moment.  Jan turned back to Elizabeth helping her wipe away a few last stray tears.

                “Mind telling me what really upset you now that she’s gone?”  Elizabeth looked into Jan’s whiskey colored eyes.  They appeared more gold than brown in the soft glow of the lamp light.  With one last look at the open door she reached beneath her pillow retrieving the letter.

                “When I had gone through William Bennett’s trunk, I came across a box of letters he had written.  I decided to read them although now I’m not too sure about that anymore.”

                “Why do you say that?”

                “I’m only two letters in and look at me.”  Jan chuckled at her distress wiping once more at Elizabeth’s wet face.

                “I’m not judging nor telling you what to do here but perhaps its not a bad thing to get feelings out.  Sometimes bottling things up will only hurt more.  Oh, don’t give me that look I read your friends card yesterday too.  Most people don’t just run away from home on a whim.  Besides you don’t come off as an impulsive type of person.  A little reckless maybe but then who isn’t.”  Elizabeth was grateful that she didn’t pry any further.  She hugged the letter to her as she looked back at the door.  Jan glanced over too before looking back at her.

                “Why don’t you put that away properly.  It’ll be our little secret.  Scouts honor I won’t tell a soul.”  Elizabeth looked at her suspiciously as she placed the letter back inside the box.

                “Were you really a girl scout?”

                “Nope.  Also, our little secret.”  Elizabeth chuckled as Jenny came back into the room carrying a steaming bowl of soup.  She was trailed in by Mason who looked relieved to see her doing well.  Placing the warm bowl in her lap Jenny blushed with slight embarrassment.

                “We were serving chicken noodle today at the diner and I thought you might like to have some.”  Elizabeth smiled as she inhaled the aromatic steam wafting up from the dish.

                “It smells like heaven thank you.”  Jenny’s blush deepened as she smiled in pleasure at having helped.

                “Aren’t you guys eating?”  At her question they all assured Elizabeth that they had just finished their meal when they decided to check in on her.  They all lazed about the bed talking as she ate her soup humming in satisfaction with each bite.  She was genuinely sad when the last spoonful was gone but knew her tummy was too full for anymore.  Jenny took her dish from her excusing herself to go wash up brushing off all offers of help they made.  As she scurried from the room Elizabeth stretched out on the bed next to Mason.  Jan looked up from where her head rested on Mason’s stomach.  She propped herself up looking the minister in the eyes an impish smile gracing her lips.  Mason quirked his brow at her in silent question as Elizabeth watched from beside.

                “Are you sure you should be in bed with two women Rev.?”  A deep laugh burst from him as Mason took in his friend.

                “There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the company of friends.”

                “You know you could tell your friend Mikey about the time you had two women in bed with you at once.  Scandalize him for a change.”  Elizabeth’s quip sent Jan into hysterics as Mason rolled his eyes at them.

                “I will do no such thing.  You’re incorrigible the two of you.”  Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders chuckling at him as Jan got herself under control.

                “What can I say, Courtney’s a bad influence.”  Mason vacated the bed shaking his head at their antics bidding the two of them good night.  He had a service to begin writing and Jenny was going to need a ride back to her apartment.

                “It’s okay Mason we’re great at keeping secrets!”  Jan bellowed after him sending the two of them into a new round of laughter.

                “I think we may be going to hell for that.”  Elizabeth quipped.

                “Probably in first class.”  Jan agreed.

                Once they stopped laughing the two of them chatted into the night.  Elizabeth felt renewed after her power nap.  Jan was yawning every few minutes clearly exhausted after the long day she had.

                “You should probably head home and get some sleep.”  Jan merely shook her head smirking at her.

                “I’m here for babysitting duty.  Addison’s orders.  You had us all pretty shook up today you know.  So, for tonight at least you have yourself a roommate.”  Elizabeth felt bad she scared everyone.  If she was being honest a little company was definitely a welcome thought.  After both were ready for the night, they snuggled down into the covers getting comfortable.  Elizabeth left the bedside lamp on in case Jan needed to get up in the middle of the night.

                It didn’t take Jan long and she was lightly snoring as Elizabeth stared at the ceiling.  She was wide awake with no one to talk too.  She would have called one of the girls up but didn’t want to wake her new roommate up with the noise.  With her mind made up Elizabeth crept from the bed retrieving her sketch pad and pencil from the other room.  Being careful not to disturb Jan she slithered back into bed and began to absently move her pencil.

                Elizabeth made sure strokes across the course paper.  Her had took over as her mind began to drift back to the soldier she was beginning to feel compassion for.  She toiled long into the night; the quiet wheezing of her companion accompanied the scratching of lead on the parchment.  Time ticked by as she idled away the hours.  Her hands only stopped when a yawn overtook her.  Elizabeth stretched out her arms forcing her neck to crack in the process.  Setting down the pencil she looked over the drawing.  A broad-shouldered man sat hunched over a stack of paper.  A pen was held in his strong fingers poised to write.  His head was bent over his letter in concentration as he leaned his back against the dirt wall behind him.  The picture was so life like it took Elizabeth’s breath away.  She ran her fingers over the grooves the pencil had made wanting to ease the tension from his shoulders.  The man looked as if he had the weight of the world resting upon him.  She wondered why she had drawn him like that.  Closing the pad, she placed it beside the pencil on the nightstand.  As she closed her eyes the visage of the man appeared to be seared into her mind as it followed her into her sleep.

                That night not only did Elizabeth dream of forests engulfed in a raging inferno but also of a man sitting alone in the dark with the sounds of gunfire echoing around him.  Her brother’s voice screamed out for help as the lone man sat silently listening to the pleas of those around him.