The Gaze of Green Eyes from the Past
James woke just before dawn and thought:
*Blimey, its been ages since I slept this welland in a haystack, no less, without comforts or a warm blanket. Not that it mattered. Summers warmth and the sweet, earthy scent of hay were enough.*
He sat up, brushing the hay away. His mind was clearno grief over his divorce, no heaviness. Had he ever truly loved her? The thought lingered.
*So, those ten years together were just an illusion of marriage?* Theyd managed well enough, but children never came. His ex-wife, Evelyn, had a daughter, though shed once admitted she didnt know who the father was. *”Had her for myself,”* shed said.
James had always sensed something forced in Evelyns affection. Arguments were frequent. After each row, his mind would drift back to a pair of green eyes and the gentle smile of a nurse, Emily, whod tended to him in the hospital years ago. Hed been wounded during his service in the Middle East.
Now, sitting in the haystack, he grinned, remembering Emilyher soothing voice, those emerald eyes, her chestnut hair. Hed never seen eyes like hers since. Hed always believed she was the one whod helped him endure the pain.
On the day of his discharge, hed picked a bouquet of wildflowers and gone to find her, ready to ask her to come home with him. *”Emily isnt here,”* another nurse told him. *”She was transferred to another medical unit.”*
*”Where?”* hed asked.
*”I dont know. And even if I did, I couldnt tell you. You know how it is here.”*
Devastated, hed resolved to find herbut how, with only a name and the memory of her eyes? In the end, hed returned home, discharged for his injuries. Nothing had changed. His father still drank, his mother still scolded.
Then one day, an old army mate, Liam, dropped by. Theyd been through hell together. *”Alright, James?”* Liam clapped him on the back. *”You healed up?”*
*”Aye, getting by,”* James shrugged.
*”Come down to my village. Theres no work for you in this tiny hamlet.”* Liam grinned. *”Unless someones keeping you here?”*
*”No one. Just cant forget Emily.”*
*”Blimey, mate, she really got under your skin. But dont give upkeep looking.”*
So James moved to Liams village. Time passed. He bought a small, rundown cottage, fixed it up, and settled in. Liam, meanwhile, fell in love and moved to the nearest town with his wife, Lucy.
*”Sorry for dragging you here just to leave,”* Liam said. *”But well visit.”*
*”Dont fret,”* James laughed. *”Ive got my own life brewingproposed to Evelyn, didnt I?”*
Now, standing in the field, James snapped out of his memories. He could almost hear Evelyns bitter voice from yesterday: *”Youll never find another like mesomeone who put up with you for so long. No one else will tolerate your quirks. Ive got a proper man now who loves me.”*
Shed called his moments of silencewhen war memories swallowed him*quirks.* Shed hated it, poking at him until rows erupted. Hed never understood why his quiet reflection bothered her so much.
Yesterday, shed finally confirmed what hed long suspected. Hed listened in silence, packed a bag, and walked out as curses chased him. Now, miles from the village, he felt relieved.
*Strange. I thought Id rage, scream, blame her. But Im calm. Almost glad its over.*
Hed slept in the haystack, deciding to head to Liams at dawn. For the first time in months, peace settled over him, like a weight lifted.
*Tomorrows another day. Liam will help, like always.*
As he waited for the bus into town, he bought a bottle of wine and chocolatesfor Lucy. Liam never touched strong drink, and James respected that.
At their doorstep, Liam answered in joggers, grinning. *”James! Blimey, good to see you!”*
James smiled, handing over the gifts. Then he noticed Lucys rounded belly.
*”Expecting?”*
Lucy laughed. *”Due in autumn.”*
*”Brilliant,”* James said, genuinely pleased.
Later, over tea, Liam and Lucy exchanged glances. Finally, Lucy blurted: *”Weve got news. Emilyshes been found.”*
James froze.
*”We didnt tell you sooner,”* Liam admitted. *”Thought you and Evelyn were solid. But Emily wrote. Shes in a village up north. Never married. Asked about you.”*
Lucy added softly, *”Shes still waiting, James.”*
On the train north, James stared at the passing fields, Emilys letter in hand. He knew every word by heart. *She loves me. She always did.*
And for the first time in years, hope flickered bright.
**Sometimes, the past returns not to haunt us, but to guide us home.**
