Chapter 1 The Summer of Separation

It was the summer of 2039, and the world was embroiled in the chaos of World War III. The air was thick with uncertainty and fear, and the draft was in full swing, pulling young men from their homes and thrusting them into the front lines. For Mary Ellen and Don, high school sweethearts from the small town of Harpersville, this summer marked the end of their carefree days and the beginning of a journey neither of them had anticipated.

Mary Ellen, with her long blonde hair and big brown eyes, had always been the spirited one, full of dreams and laughter. Don, with his dirty blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, was her anchor, steady and dependable. They had spent their high school years planning their future together, but now those plans were being torn apart by the draft notice that had arrived in the mail.

They sat together on the porch swing at Mary Ellen's house, the letter between them, as if acknowledging it would make it less real. Don held her hand tightly, his thumb gently caressing her knuckles. "I don't want to leave you," he whispered, his voice breaking.

Mary Ellen blinked back tears. "I don't want you to go either, but we have to be strong. We'll get through this, Don. We have to."

As the reality of their situation sank in, they made a desperate plea to their parents: to let them get married before Don had to leave. There were practical benefits to being married, especially during the war. Mary Ellen would be provided housing and other benefits, and in the worst-case scenario, she would be better protected if Don didn't return. After much discussion and heartfelt persuasion, their parents agreed, with the condition that Mary Ellen would house her older sister, Eloise, as well.

The next two weeks passed in a blur of preparations and goodbyes. They decided on a simple wedding in Don's parents' backyard. Mary Ellen wore her mother's wedding dress, its delicate lace and ivory fabric complementing her natural beauty. She wove light purple flowers into her wavy hair, matching the bouquet she held. As she walked down the makeshift aisle, her heart pounded with a mix of love and fear. Don stood at the altar in a gray suit with a black bow tie, his eyes never leaving hers, his expression one of awe and adoration.

Their best friends, Alice and Cody, stood by their sides as maid of honor and best man. The ceremony was short but filled with heartfelt vows and promises. When the officiant pronounced them husband and wife, Don kissed her with a tenderness that brought tears to everyone's eyes.

The reception was a modest affair, filled with laughter, tears, and the bittersweet knowledge that this was both a beginning and an ending. They danced under the stars, holding each other close, trying to memorize the feel of each other's embrace.

Two days later, Don left for basic training. Mary Ellen stood at the train station, watching as the train pulled away, taking her heart with it. She clutched the locket he had given her, a small picture of them together inside, and whispered a silent prayer for his safety.

Back home, Mary Ellen threw herself into her work, cleaning five different homes a week to make ends meet. It was exhausting, but it kept her mind occupied. Eloise, who had lost her fiancé early in the war, moved in and provided much-needed support. The sisters leaned on each other, finding solace in their shared grief and determination to survive.

Every day, Mary Ellen checked the mailbox, hoping for a letter from Don. The days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, with only a few letters making it through. Each one was a lifeline, filled with his love and reassurance.

One crisp autumn morning, a knock came at the door. Mary Ellen's heart leapt as she rushed to answer it, hoping against hope it was news from Don. A young soldier stood there, holding a sealed envelope. Her hands trembled as she took it, the world narrowing down to the piece of paper in her hands.

She opened it and saw Don's familiar handwriting. He told her he was safe and missed her more than words could express. He asked her to stay strong and promised he would come back to her. Tears streamed down her face as she read the letter, a mixture of relief and longing filling her heart.

She looked up at the soldier, her voice breaking as she said, "Thank you."

The soldier nodded and left. Mary Ellen stood in the doorway, clutching the letter to her chest. For the first time in weeks, she felt a glimmer of hope. Don was alive, and as long as he was, she would keep fighting. She would make it through this war, one day at a time, until they could be together again.