Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Return to Holliday Creek (17)





When Fate Steps In

                         -By Robert Faulkender ©


Dear Sergeant Skillman, 

I am Leitha’s Aunt Angela and business partner. I feel like I have known you for years, since Leitha first mentioned your name when she moved to St. Louis. These last few months have been the happiest I have ever seen her—even in the knowledge that war has delayed your union. I wish this letter could be my congratulations on your marriage. Alas…

On 29 August, influenza stole our Leitha from us. What started as a headache and runny nose, steadily assailed her body.  In three short days, she died. This horrid flu is approaching epidemic levels.

Her last concerns were for you. She knows how much you love her and she feared that her death might destroy you, too. Her last conscious words were, “Tell him I know he always loved me. And, we had our time. We must be thankful for that. I am in his heart forever.”

You will recall that Leitha recently sold her father’s store. She placed the proceeds of the sale in a joint account with your name. It was to be her dowry. As the executor of her estate, I have enclosed the proper documentation for you to claim the entire proceeds; this is what she intended. You are loved.

May God bless you, Edward Skillman, and help you through this time of grief.

Most Sincerely,

Angela Samuelson,
Executor to the Estate of Leitha Samuelson

     He wasn’t sure how long he sat there. Mechanically, he folded and returned the letters to the envelope.  He rolled over on his cot, laid there, still in uniform, eyes closed, in time tears, then sleep.
 
     Two days later Skillman introduced First Sergeant Krantz to Bill Hicks and relayed the news that Hicks was about to be a civilian. Bill irrupted with excitement, and talked all the way back to Camp Furlong about the things they would do in Cincinnati. 

    He barely noticed Ted’s quietness. Ted was always quiet.

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