1.) Thin Blankets 2.) The Last Autumn Leaf on the Tree 3.) Green Eyes with Tears - Your Healthy Year on Pinterest I welcome anyone who wants to write for the prompts with me! :) My take: (Warning, it's really sad.) He'd said he would be back. Johnathon promised...before the last leaf fell in Autumn, he'd be home. But he wasn't. Cold winds bit into her sun-tanned skin as Nelda sat in her rocking chair on the porch, blankets bundled in her lap. The very ones his mother had made for them for their upcoming wedding. "Don't worry," she'd said. "He'll be home from the war soon, you'll see." That was months ago now, and the war was in full swing. Villages were being swept up in the battles, hundreds upon hundreds killed on both sides. Madness. All that death and chaos and fightin'. There was no sense in it. Compromises could be made, lives could be saved. If only they set their weapons aside and spoke... But that was askin' for too much. There was too much pride in 'em. Too much bullheadedness. Too much anger. And so...Nelda waited. And waited. The ground covered with ice and snow, and, still, she'd sit out on her porch in spare moments and wait. The ground began to thaw...and flowers bloomed. Color and leaves returned to the trees, and, still, she waited. Summer heat rolled in on blistering waves, and, still, she waited. Autumn chill began to dampen the air when she heard the war was finally won. Not by them, but the men would be returning home at long last. Finally...finally. Her wait would be over. She sat on her porch with her blankets day after day...it wasn't until the last leaves were falling again that some army men came to call on her. Her Johnathon wasn't among them. They carried a flag and some metals and a somber apology. "He fought bravely." "A true war hero." Her green eyes filled with tears as she thanked the men and held those things close to her heart as she began to rock again. The men shared a curious look. "Ma'am...what are you doing?" "I'm waiting." "For what..? The war is over, and Johnathon...he's not comin' back." "I know," her voice is hushed and tight, wrought with a mere fraction of the pain she felt inside. "I'm waitin' for the day I go join him. I got a long way to go." The men shared a look but said no more. Tipping their hats, they left Nelda to wait. The days felt so long at first...yawning and empty and cold. Eventually, they shortened...and then time seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. Friends came and went. Her parents and some siblings passed away. Taut skin wrinkled and fiery red locks grayed. Memories dulled...but she always kept his picture near. To remember. She rocked in her rocking chair on the porch of her childhood home, the blankets his mother made resting in her lap. They were thinned with age, just as she was, and the leaves had almost all fallen once more. Her breaths rattled in her chest, a gentle, genuine smile unfurling across her lips. "What are you thinkin' about, auntie?" Her precious niece asked, sitting on the railing nearby. "It won't be much longer now." "...What won't be much longer?" "My wait, dear Anna, my wait." For a long moment, there was silence. "Do you want me to bring the picture?" "Please," Nelda nodded, watching the girl go. Minutes later, she returned with Johnathon's picture. Nelda smiled as the thumbed the frame and brushed her fingers over his handsome face. She leaned back in her chair, feeling tired...like she might sleep for ages. It was getting more difficult to draw breaths... "Would you like some sweet tea and cookies?" "That...sounds delightful." Her mind was beginning to fog as Anna headed back inside. Her eyelids felt so heavy...her whole body did. The picture fell into her lap. "Forgive me, Anna...it's time for me...to go now." With one final heave, bright smile lighting her face, Nelda's green eyes slid shut. It was so calm...so peaceful. So warm... "Nelda." She knew that voice! "Nelda?" "Johnathon?" Her green eyes cracked open...and a smile split her face from ear to ear. He stood over her, smiling just as brightly. He was still as young and handsome as the day he'd left! "I waited for you...like you waited so faithfully for me. But now it's time to go." He offered his hand, his gentle baritone like music to her ears. "Go?" She reached out and grabbed his hand tightly, afraid to let go. Afraid she might wake without him once more. "We have eternity...so much to do and see. Momma still can't wait to see us wed." She grinned as he chuckled bashfully. "Better not keep her waitin', then," Nelda stood from her rocker and followed Johnathon into the woods, talking about the wedding they'd planned and all of their friends and family. ____ "Auntie Nelda, look who popped in for a visit! Uncle Donnie!" Anna lead Nelda's brother up to the woman in the rocking chair with a grin. "Auntie Nelda..? Did you fall asleep on me?" Anna gave her a teasing poke. Her skin was cool. "Auntie Nelda..?" "Go call the coroner," Donnie bid as he rounded his sister with a doleful smile. "Wha...she...she can't be...she was just-" "Baby, look at her. See that smile? That's the smile only Johnathon got. She's already palin'...her lips're white. Nelda's finally with her man. Her wait's over." His lips trembled. "Go on, now. Call 'im. I'll handle the rest." A sob passed Anna's lips as she padded back inside, furiously wiping at her eyes. Donnie knelt down in front of Nelda, patting her cooling hand. "Love you, Nel. I wish you only the greatest joy afta all these long years of sufferin'. I won't be much longer, myself, but don't wait up." He cracked a small smile, kissing her forehead before rising to his feet and following Anna inside.

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