**The Gaze of Green Eyes from the Past**
I woke before dawn, stretching in the crisp morning air, surprised at how well Id slept. A haystack in the middle of a fieldhardly the most comfortable bed, but then again, it was summer, warm and fragrant.
I brushed the hay from my clothes and stood, my mind oddly clear. No lingering sadness over the divorce, no regrets. Had I ever truly loved her? The question nagged at me. Ten years of marriagehad it all just been an illusion? Wed managed well enough, I suppose, though we never had children. Vera had a daughter, of course. Had her for myself, shed say, never mentioning the father.
There was always something forced about Vera, an act she put on. We argued often. After every fight, my mind would drift back to *her*those emerald-green eyes, that soft smile. Mary, the nurse whod tended to me in hospital after I was wounded overseas. Id been lucky to keep my arm, thanks to her.
Sitting there in the hay, I smiled, remembering her voicecalm, steadyand those thick chestnut curls. Eyes like jewels. Id never seen their like again. Shed been my anchor through the worst of it.
The day I was discharged, I picked a handful of wildflowers and went looking for her. I wanted to ask her to come home with mereckless, maybe, but I had to try.
Marys gone, another nurse told me. Transferred to another medical unit.
Where? I asked.
She shook her head. I dont know. And even if I did, you know how things are here
I left empty-handed. How do you find someone when all you have is a name and the memory of their eyes?
Back home, nothing had changed. Father still drank. Mother still scolded. Then one day, an old army mate, Liam, dropped by.
Good to see you, Jack, he said, clapping me on the shoulder. You holding up alright?
Well enough, I shrugged.
Come down to my village, he offered. Nothing for you here. Unless theres someone keeping you? He grinned.
No one. Just cant stop thinking about Mary.
Liam sighed. Got you good, didnt she? Keep looking, mate. Dont give up.
So I went with him. Time passed. I bought a small, run-down cottage, fixed it up. Made it a home. Liam, thoughhe fell in love, moved to town with his wife, Ellie.
Sorry, dragging you out here just to leave, he said, rubbing his neck.
I waved him off. Dont worry about it. Besides, Ive got Vera now.
Standing in that field, the memory of yesterdays row came rushing back. Veras sharp voice:
Youll never find another woman like me. No one else would put up with you. Ive got a proper man nowone who actually *loves* me.
She hated my moods, the way Id retreat into myself, lost in memories. Shed poke and prod until I snapped. Never understood why it bothered her so much.
Yesterday, shed finally said what Id long suspected. I listened in silence, packed my things, and left. No shouting. No tears. Just relief.
Strange, that. Id thought ending things would hurt more.
I walked until nightfall, then curled up in a haystack, deciding to head to Liams in the morning. Hed understand.
For the first time in months, I felt light. Like a weight had lifted.
*Tomorrows problem,* I thought, drifting off under the stars.
Morning came too soon. I shook off the hay, shouldered my bag, and caught the bus into town. Stopped by a shop for a bottle of wine and a box of chocolatesEllies favourite.
Liam answered the door in joggers, grinning. Jack! Bloody hell, come in!
I stepped inside, and he frowned. You alone?
I didnt answer. He didnt press.
Ellie bustled in, their seven-year-old, Alfie, clinging to my leg. Uncle Jack!
It was good to be wanted.
We sat at the kitchen table, reminiscing. I handed Ellie the chocolatesthen noticed her rounded belly.
Wait, are you?
She laughed. Due in January.
Congratulations, I said, genuinely pleased.
Liam clapped my shoulder. Didnt expect it, but here we are.
Ellie teased, You should settle down too, Jack. Youre not getting any younger.
I just smiled.
Later, Liam and I talkedwar stories, jokes. But Ellie kept hovering, shooting him pointed looks. Finally, she blurted:
Right, thats it. Im saying it.
Liam sighed. Ellie
She plopped onto a stool, facing me. Weve been meaning to tell you for ages, but well, we found her. Mary.
My throat went dry. I gulped water, hands steady only by force.
Liam leaned forward. Didnt want to stir things up, not while you were with Vera. But Mary wrote to us. Shes in a little village up north. Alive, well. And alone.
Ellie added softly, She asked about you, Jack. Said she never found another man like you. Shes still waiting.
By the time I boarded the train, my hands had stopped shaking. The letter in my pocketId memorised every word.
Mary. My Mary.
She loved me. Shed waited.
And now, at last, I was going to her.
**Lesson learned:** Some loves are worth chasing, no matter how long it takes.
