Sunday, May 30, 2010
View from the balcony
Soldiers from the nearby military base were marching through town in a parade of triumph. It was Memorial Day soon after victory in the world war had been realized and the men had recently returned home. On this day for memories and prayers, there would be a ceremony at the square downtown and later a barbecue in the city park.
Lora wasn’t looking out and cheering for the marching heroes, rather she was looking for the man she loved. Sgt. Michael Ledbetter had left almost three years earlier and promised to return. He had written Lora letters for a while but eventually the letters stopped. She had no way to get in touch with him, so she waited.
Two and a half years without a word yet Lora knew her love would return. He had promised and she had a surprise saved for him. The last soldier marched past the stately old house and then Lora turned and went back inside. Michael would surely be in the next group. He just had to be.
From the adjacent room came the sound of a young child playing. Lora smiled and hurried to see what mischief the little boy was in now. She gave a soft laugh as she found her son playing in the toy box. All of the toys had been taken out and scatter over the floor and the boy had commandeered the container for a better use.
“You are just like your father,” Lora said as she knelt next to the box. “He will be so proud of you when he gets here. I know he will arrive soon.” The lad looked at his mother and cooed some unknown tones and smiled as bubbles came out of his mouth. Lora wiped his face with a soft cloth and stood. She returned to her bedroom and sat on the side of the bed.
An open letter lay on the bed, the envelope tattered as Lora had hurriedly opened it. She had read the letter many times yet the words didn’t deter her steadfast belief that her soldier would return. The letter had arrived soon after young Michael, Jr. had been born, informing her of Sgt. Ledbetter’s death and assuring her of his heroic efforts and honorable service.
Lora had read the letter, held her infant son close and assured the child that his father would return. The baby boy needed his father. Lora needed her lover. Besides, Michael had promised. Lora stood and walked back over to the balcony. Another group of soldier would be marching past very soon.
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So poignant! I can imagine this story playing out again and again through all the Memorial Days.
ReplyDeleteThis is so good. It reminded me of a Faulkner piece. It says a lot in such a short story. Congratulations on this super blog. It's great!
ReplyDeleteYour sincerity, empathy, and ability to create characters readers care about are unmistakable strengths. I predict heavy traffic on this blog! ~Buddy Hale
ReplyDeletePortrait of Hope!!
ReplyDelete