The Gift

2009-12-23T07:36:00.000-08:00

The Gift

By Anthony Hodge

It was a bitter winter's eve, Christmas eve, a fact that had pretty much escaped Amelia's mind during the course of events over the last two days. Sitting by her husband's bedside in this small country hospital, listening to the doctor's diagnosis of her husband’s condition had left her soul cold and retreat. This was compounded by her confusion over her brother Daniel being convicted as a traitor to his country and her anger and guilt for blaming him for her husband Jonathan’s accident.

She had just re-read the last letter from Daniel and couldn't for the life of her understand why he would not have kept his promise. The one he made to her before he and her husband Jonathan shipped off to war, the one he had made so many years ago when they were school children. Daniel was always the champion of the underdog. It was clear growing up that their good friend Jonathan was not the strongest or most physically adept youngster on the block. Amelia believed in a truer measure of a man and that Jonathan was wise beyond his years and had a heart pure as gold. One day she would marry him, of that she was sure.

So began their journey of friendship and love. The bond they shared endured throughout the years, through many trials and suffering, but still Daniel remained steadfast and a good shepherd of his little sister and their friend Jonathan. They also shared many good times as well, in fact "grandest of times” as Daniel would later write. This was specially true for the memories of family meals together, celebrations and homecomings that reinforced the love they shared.

As a strapping young man, Daniel perused a successful career in the military, much to Amelia’s dismay. She simply didn't understand the love of power and conquest that made up the fabric of men. Daniel wrote to her often from his travels, he had quite a way with words and was able to soothe her concerns from afar and promised, no matter what, to be home each and every Christmas.

Then the unforeseeable happened. War was upon the country and Jonathan, her beloved husband was shipped off to battle into the thick of action. Daniel promised her he would look after Jonathan and see that no harm befell him. For several years, Daniel’s letters were a source of comfort and dread. Dread that one day the words within would bear bad news, comfort when they did not. The last of these letters from her brother were the most upsetting, they confused her beyond measure. The letters detailed, but only partially, some of the dangerous assignments they were to take part in. It was shortly after reading the last letter that Amelia got the call that no wife, no spouse ever wishes to receive. Jonathan had been wounded on a transport home and was in the hospital. To make matters worse, Daniel had disappeared. The days that followed were beyond scandalous as it was reported that Daniel had traded sides and became an enemy the state. Amelia was devastated and rushed to be by her husband's side.

It was snowing outside Christmas morning, as Amelia raised her head from where it had rested on Jonathan's shoulder in his hospital bed all night. She hoped and prayed he would wake from the sleep of his injuries. As she moved to the window to pull back the drapes to better see the new day, she heard the sound she had been wishing for. If nothing else for Christmas and for all the Christmas's to come, she wanted her husband back. "Are you there?" Jonathan spoke softly from his bed. "Yes my love," “I'm here” Amelia said trying hard to hold back the tears. Rolling over Jonathan said "I have something I must give you now in case, in case..." "Hush my darling, what ever it is can wait, you must rest." she said. Jonathan reached to the other side of his night-stand and pulled out a rather tattered satchel and held it out for her. "Inside he said, a letter, from Daniel." Amelia helped her husband settle back into bed, then sat back in her chair and opened the letter. Her hands began to tremble. The letter was dated just days before Jonathan's accident and her brother's disappearance. It was short and she could tell, hastily written.

My Dearest Amelia.

Time is short, but I wanted you to know a few things. Daniel and I were captured by the enemy a few days ago. I believe I have convinced them that I'm a spy and working for their side. Somehow, it looks as though I've also tricked them into believing that Daniel was an innocent civilian, simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. However this plays out over the course of the next few days I must break one promise to you my dearest sister - I don't think I'll be home this Christmas. But my love will forever be with you. I am keeping my one promise, my "Gift" to you, I just put your husband on a train headed home.

Your brother, Daniel.

Worldnation Messages

The Gift