The Black Willow

The hazy summer day shimmered around him as he trekked down the lonely country road. Tucked into his suitcase was a nicely pressed uniform, packed away to avoid the dust of that long walk. Jonathon Stone had been gone for quite some time, and many things had changed. That pasture down yonder had lain fallow for several seasons, a second victim of Pete's failing health. Conner's cattle farm had only a few dozen head now, from the sprawling hundreds that roamed the land during Jonathon's youth. Even his own parents' farm had been neglected since the year they moved south for Pop's health. There were more homes further down the road; and yet that stretch of town still remained unpaved.

Many other things in the tiny Iowa town hadn't changed at all. Old Mr. Harkness still sat on his stool behind the counter at the general store. Mr. Pratt and Mr. Kimball still sat outside in their rockers, having a comment for all who passed their way. And delightful Mrs. Pierce who had dropped him off as she headed out to her own farm still worked her own land. Admittedly, she had traded the title of “laborer” for “supervisor”. Her son had moved home last year and taken over the day-to-day running of the farm. Mrs. Pierce let Gus think he was doing her a favor, taking all those heavy chores from her. Truth be told, she was still as spry as ever, and she still couldn't hear a thing. Ah, no, that hadn’t changed a bit

"Dear Mrs. Pierce," Jonathon thought with a smile and a shake of his head. "This town wouldn't be the same without her. She's taken care of every kid in this town at one time. I bet if I popped in later this afternoon, she'd have an apple tart sitting on her counter. Some things never change."

As he trudged down the hill, Jonathon's glance fell upon a huge black willow tree. His heart clenched in pain and remembrance. Not just any black willow tree, but THEIR tree, Jonathon and Cassie's tree. This was THEIR spot. He was sure that if he walked close enough, he would still see a rugged "J+C" in the trunk of the tree. They had been so young when he carved that, so innocent, so unaware of the tragic twist of fate.

Jonathon's steps slowed as his mind raced back over the years, to the night before he left to enlist. They had finished their evening chores, and met under the black willow like they did nearly every evening. Knowing that their time together was short, they had talked of trivial things. The upcoming harvest on their parents' farms. Katie Sue Bell and Frank Riley getting engaged after church last Sunday. Connor's new heifer. Little things that hid the seriousness of the moment.

As twilight deepened, Cassie had taken off her shoes and waded in the stream that divided their lands. Jonathon had simply watched as her rich black hair became one with the evening. She was so beautiful, she took his breath away. He planned to ask her to be his wife, but was speechless. His heart sat in his throat, knowing he would leave on the early morning train, knowing how painful their separation would be.

Cassie had flicked water at him to break his reverie.

"Come on in, silly," her laughter had showered over him. Her eyes danced in the fading light, teasing and playful.

With a smile, Jonathon began to pull his shoes and socks off to follow Cassie in the water. Sitting on the nearby boulder, while he was shoeless but still in socks, Cassie had suddenly run up the bank past him. Never one to back down from a challenge, Jonathon had taken off across the fields after her.

Jonathon's breath caught as he remembered this lovely girl, running through fields twinkling with fireflies. Her laugh had rung out over the land, teasing and inviting at the same time. Cassie had let him catch up to her under the black willow, where Jonathon wrapped his arms around her. Overwhelmed with love, and wanting to protect her precious heart, Jonathon simply sat with his back to the trunk as he gazed at her.

"Cassie..." he began, knowing he had to speak before the night slipped away. "Cassie girl....." Jonathon faltered again, not knowing where to start. She simply sat with her hand in his, patiently waiting.

"I love you," he blurted. "I've never known a time without you in my life, and I can't imagine stopping now." Shaking his head, Jonathon continued a little sheepishly. "I wanted to say it better. I wanted to speak my heart. I wanted...."

"Shhh," Cassie had whispered as she covered his lips with her smooth fingers. "Its ok. I know. And I love you too. I think I've always loved you, Jonathon Stone."

Jonathon's eyes welled up, and his arms wrapped her tight. "Marry me, Cassie. I leave in the morning, but I’ll be back. Marry me when I come home on leave. I know it’s a lot to ask, and I understand if you'd rather wait and see what happens. But..."

Cassie had stopped him with a light kiss. "My darling, of course I’ll wait. I'd wait forever. When you come home on leave next time, I'd be proud to become your wife." The tears had come as they talked into the night. His and hers. As they parted, Jonathon handed Cassie a simple ring he had woven from stream grass as they sat.

"Its not much," he said, "but its meaning is true. I love you, Cassie Green, and I will return to make you my wife."

In the midst of his thoughts, Jonathon wondered if that was yet another item on the list of things that had changed. He had never made it home for his first leave period to marry Cassie. His boat had been lost at sea in a storm, and all hands unaccounted for.

After weeks spent floating on a deck planking, he had been rescued. Brought on board by local fishermen, Jonathon was suffering from severe malnutrition, dehydration, sunburn and heat exhaustion. He was very ill, and had a badly broken leg and pelvis from the shipwreck. To make matters worse, he had lapsed into delirium. Under the care of the Sisters of Mercy, Jonathon spent weeks lapsing in and out of delirium and coma. Because his memory had suffered as well, the Sisters had no name for him, only the oft-murmmured "Cassie, my Cassie". Unable to do any more than heal his body, "Sailor Joe" quickly won hearts as the Sisters nursed him back to health.

Years passed as Jonathon recuperated, slowly regaining his ability to walk. By the time his memory returned, he desperately wanted to write to Cassie. However, so much time had passed that he was unsure. He knew that his MIA status had spread through town. How long would she wait? How long could you hold out your hopes that someone would return, after years of no contact? No, he couldn't write. He had to see her, to talk to her, to see her eyes and hear her voice. Only then would he be sure.

The war was now over, and he was coming home. He didn't doubt his love's heart. He knew that she would remain true and loyal forever. Thing was, though, he hadn't been in contact with her in nearly five years. Five long years that he had been missing in action and unable to send a message to his girl. Who could tell how life in that small town would change? Jonathon had no way of knowing if Cassie still lived on her parents’ farm. It was entirely possible that she had decided to continue her life, maybe even moving away from the place where she and he had loved.

Jonathon quickened his steps. Only a short time, he hoped and prayed, until he saw his beloved. Would she be someone else's beloved by this time? Would she have left that town, and the memories it held? Had she heard of his return yet? He laughed a bit, knowing that by now, half the township had heard of his return, since Mrs. Pierce had dropped him off. Jonathon had to believe that he would see her in just moments. Otherwise, his feet might not have carried him down that road. Would Cassie be pleased, or dismayed to see him? Hoping that it would be a good surprise and knowing there was but one way to find out, Jonathon trudged onwards.

Stopping in the rundown barn that used to belong to his parents, Jonathon changed into his dress blues. Wanting to look his best for Cassie, he shook out his carefully-packed uniform. It had survived the dust of the road inside Jonathon’s haversack, and looked no worse for it. He pinned on his medals, straightened his cap, and squared his shoulders.

As he walked up the path to the farmhouse, a small raven-haired little girl ran out onto the porch. Jonathon's heart sank at the sight of her, as she was a miniature-Cassie. Following her was a woman who was obviously this child's mother.

"Cassie?" Jonathon asked hesitantly.

"No, she's inside. I’ll get her." The woman turned back toward the door.

"Caitlyn?"

The woman whipped her head around as if she had been stung. Her ebony eyes burned into Jonathon's face as recognition dawned.

"Jonathon? Oh my, is it really you?" Jonathon could only nod as Cassie's younger sister gaped at him.

"Please. Cassie. Is she.....is she...." he was unable to complete the sentence, afraid to hear the answer. His eyes were riveted on Caitlyn, willing her to tell him good news. It was then that he noticed the blue star hanging in the front window. Worn, and obviously having hung there for quite some time, but never-the-less hanging there bold and blue. His heart leaped in new-found hope.

The screen door creaked its familiar sound as the most beautiful woman alive slowly stepped out. Caitlyn was forgotten as Jonathon's eyes flew to Cassie. He watched her every movement, unable to breathe, unable to speak. She said nothing, only walked slowly to him. When she was but a space away, Cassie stopped, still saying nothing. Afraid to break the spell, Jonathon simply stood, overwhelmed by her nearness.

A movement caught his eye, and Jonathon glanced down. In a daze, he watched as Cassie held out simple twist of stream grass, old and dry. His eyes searched hers, as she simply nodded her head. All else forgotten, Jonathon’s arms went around Cassie like steel bands. He tucked her head under his chin as she buried her nose in the warm wool of his coat and fiercely returned his hug. Their tears mingled as he covered her face with kisses. This was heaven, this was HOME.

"Oh Cassie, Cassie girl," he murmured over and over again. “You…you’re here. Your face, your eyes…”

Jonathon’s hands flew gently over her face and hair, wanting and needing to believe that she was truly real. He desperately hoped this wasn’t just another spark of his mind, like the ones that had tormented him for so long. He prayed she wasn’t a mirage that his misty eyes had conjured. He touched her eyes, her cheeks, the soft wisps of black hair at her temple.

“My Jonathon, oh my Jonathon,” Cassie’s eyes sparkled with tears, and her voice broke at those simple, whispered words. “I knew, I always knew. I always believed you’d come home to me. See, the star…”

Cassie gestured vaguely toward the front window without taking her eyes from Jonathon. Unwilling to let one moment more go by, he covered her lips with his work-worn fingers in a gesture reminiscent of that summer night so long ago.

He fell to his knees, reaching in his pocket at the same time. "Cassie girl, will you......"

Cassie’s glorious smile shone through her tears, and warmed Jonathon more than he thought possible. As he placed his grandmother’s engagement ring on her petite finger, the unnoticed details of that hazy afternoon snapped into brilliant focus. The sun shone brighter. Birds suddenly filled the sky with melody. Cassie’s shoulder under his own was solid, and near. The world shifted, and everything quietly clicked into place, as if broken hearts had never existed.

As Jonathon’s universe righted itself, as he thought he couldn’t be any happier, he heard something that made his heart overflow. In all his travels, his daydreams, his wishes and wants, he had never imagined hearing these words. Jonathon thought his face might crack from joy when he heard his soon-to-be niece call out in a way that only children have.

“Momma, now I get to have an UNCLE!”

The peal of female laughter matched his throaty chuckle. Jonathon looked around the farm, his gaze taking in the women and the precious child. He truly realized in that moment that the woman he loved was no more than a breath away. And that meant he was HOME.