Guyssss I’m so sorry this post is late. But without further ado here is the conclusion to Till The Dawn Breaks
The war was over. The words echoed in Evelyn’s head. Did she even dare to hope that the papers were right? After all the thousands of men whose blood was shed, the letters to mothers and wives who would never see their loved ones again. After all the days, months, years spent waiting for the news dreading and yet, impatient to see what it said. After every day, week and month had been of one thought only. Will the people I love die today? And now they said it was over.
“I-I have to tell mother.” She stuttered. All around her there were shouts and cheers. “hurray for the Allies. I knew we could beat the Kiser. Trust our boys to put up a fight!”
Blindly Evelyn made her way home Oblivious to the cold.
Her mother was in the kitchen when she arrived. The smell of freshly baked bread waifed through the door as she came in. “Mother, the war is over.” She said hardly believing the words she was speaking.
“What” Susan looked up an incredulous expression written on her face.”
In a few short words Evelyn had recounted her experience at the General Store.
“I can hardly believe it.” Tears streamed down her mother’s face. “My boys are coming home.” She whispered. “Thank you Lord!” She clasped Evelyn in a tight embrace and the two women cried tears of pure joy.
“Oh” cried Evelyn “it was worth living four long weary years for this one moment. Mother let’s run up the flag!”
I wonder wrote Evelyn in her journal later that night after all the joy and celebration had calmed down. If life will seem dull and monotonous after this. We have had a terrible four years of being fed horror and, fear, terrible setbacks and amazing victories. I think it will be the most splendid thing to live a uninteresting life and to not dread the coming of the mail every day.
We have won the victory but, oh what a price we have paid.
I overheard father telling some client of His that we have a duty to remember all the brave men that have sacrificed their lives for freedom. I know I shall never forget.
But it is over. At last!
December 12
Carl Miller came home just after Thanksgiving. Glenwood meet them with brass banners and a crowd of cheering towns people. Carl was beaming in spit of his wooded leg and Mary looked like she would never let him out of her sight again. Their engagement was announced a few days later. Carl was going to run the general store with Mary’s father. “This wasn’t how I planned on living my life” he ran a hand through his blond hair. “But after this war I’m just glad that I get to live a peaceful life.”
A few weeks later Evelyn’s dark haired, serious brother David came home. Only Evelyn, her family and a few friends were there to greet him as he stepped off the train.
It was wonderful to have him home again. Having one more person to fill the empty seats at the table. They all anticipated the day when no chair would be left empty.
“We’ve had a couple of rough years but I suppose when it comes down to it we’re the better for it.” Mary commented. She was curled up in a large chair in the Grants living room knitting a new pair of gloves for Carl. For as long as she knew Mary, Evelyn had never seen her sit idly. Whatever project or problem needed tackling you could be sure that Mary was running or at least freely giving her opinion as to how things should be done.
Evelyn smiled. Mary really was a brick. Not many people could have gone what she went through and still have a positive perspective of life.
“I know I wouldn’t want to go back to the girl I was before the war, I was so frivolous and foolish.”
“And these years of war have molded you into a strong woman.” Mary deftly tied her last knot. “There, I’ve finished.” She sighed. “ Honestly Evelyn I must confess that I detest knitting with every fiber of my being.”
Surprised Evelyn looked up from her own knitting. “Really, why Mary I never would have guessed.”
“Why should you have? I’ve never complained about It. That doesn’t change anything.”
Evelyn sat back in her own chair. “Mary you’re a dear!”
It had been a long and tiring day. Evelyn had been up since well before the sun rose preparing the house for the arrival of her brothers and sisters.
Elsie would be coming home from Nursing School the next day. No one knew if Walter would make it home for Christmas but they were all trying to be optimistic. He had phoned them from New York City and told them that the train stations were filled with soldiers all trying to get home for Christmas. Sara and Charles were coming over from the Harbor. Evelyn’s mother walked around with a joy and smile that Evelyn hadn’t seen in years. it looked like all the family would be gathered together for Christmas.
Together again. At last.
And yet there was no word from Jack. Not a letter or telegraph or even a phone call. She had found out from his mother that he was back in the States. But he had not even bothered to tell her. Maybe he didn’t care for her anymore. Their few spoken words of promise had been so long ago. So many things had happed since then.
Yes that was it. She had to somehow move past her feeling. Father had mentioned that Glenwood needed a teacher for the fall. Perhaps she should consider that job. Not that she particularly liked teaching but, she had to do something.
A nock sounded at the door. Setting down the basket of sheets Evelyn hurried to answer it. Maybe it was one of her siblings home a day early.
A man stood on the door steps. His military uniform was old, faded and had been patched many times. There was a scar on his right temple that had not been there before and a few strands of gray hair were sprinkled into his dark head.
Jack” Evelyn gasped. Of course it was Jack but he looked so much older and oh so very worn.
This couldn’t be the sweetheart she had sent off to war. He was so much changed, and that scar, the lines about his eyes. Her thoughts whirled
Then he spoke his voice choked with emotion.
“Evelyn, my Evelyn.” In a moment she was in His arms. Tears of joy and happiness streamed down her face.
He was not the same man standing before her, but the she wasn’t the same girl. They had both been changed by the war. But maybe that was okay.
He was here. Home. Safe.
“Look Jack” she whispered. “It’s snowing.”
And it was, lovely large snowflakes were lazily falling down around them.
Jack’s arm was wrapped tightly around her waist,
“Merry Christmas darling.”
The End
