The Ghost Who Gave His Blessing

On the day he died, the young soldier was dangerously preoccupied. His mind wandered to Lorraine, his beautiful fiancée back home. He remembered the night she had accepted his marriage proposal. How happy they both were when he slipped the tiny diamond engagement ring on her finger. After the war they would be married, buy a house and raise their family. He would work in the family hardware store like his father and grandfather. He smiled to himself as images of Lorraine filled his mind. She would be waiting at the door for him every afternoon, her long red hair glowing in the last light of day. Someday there would be toddlers hanging onto her skirt as she waited there at the door, two boys and a girl, a girl with long red hair just like Lorraine's.

He was at that front door now. Somehow it was more real to him than the battle that raged all around him. He carelessly stepped from the shelter that protected him. Lorraine, her arms open wide, was smiling at him, the door was open. He smiled as enemy fire ripped through the night killing him and his thoughts of Lorraine.

When she was informed of her fiancée's death Lorraine was inconsolable. All her dreams died with him. She cried herself to sleep every night for the better part of a month. And then she stoically resumed her day to day routine of work and school. She picked at her food. Try as she might, Lorraine's mother, could not even tempt her with her favorites, blackberry cobbler and pecan pie. Now she ate barely enough to survive.

As the years went by Lorraine allowed well meaning friends to introduce her to eligible bachelors. She was always politely uninterested. Until she met Jeffery. Older than her by many years, Jeffery was quiet and secure about himself, not at all boastful like most of the young men she met.

On a silver chain around her neck she still wore the engagement ring given to her by the young soldier nearly ten years previous. On her finger she wore Jeffrey's diamond ring. At last her parents could stop worrying about her future and start to plan her wedding. No expense would be spared, her father promised. Her gown was entirely handmade by one of city's best dressmakers. It was an exquisitely designed floor length antique lace gown accented with beaded pearls.

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