And while it does not excuse your subsequent decision to continue in that vein, it does shed light on all that led to it.

So. I can think of no better way to honor him than by remaining open to what I will consider his dying wish. Even if he didn’t know how very soon that date would be.

With all that we’ve exchanged, you and I have a long way to go to truly get to know each other. And whatever that develops into—friendship or something more—it has to be based on the foundations of truth and openness. My trust in you going forward can never be shaken again. I must have your assurance that you will always be forthright with me. And if you lay an oath to that on the memory of William, I will accept it.

Having said that, I am eager to put this behind us and resume our friendship. I have not yet told you that the letters and flowers became a lifeline to me too.

I would love to see them both continue.

All the best,

Margaret Beck

*  *  *

Tom’s first letter to Margaret—written as himself—began as if they had just been introduced. He told her that he was, indeed, from Virginia. But far from Arlington, near the Chickahominy River. He told her about his family, their farm, his college years.

His intent to continue in the military even after the end of the war.

Even as he wrote the words, he felt his stomach knot. He was no longer as certain of that path as he had once been.

The war was almost over and mail planes were arriving with regularity. He made sure every weekly pickup included something for her. And he was delighted that every mail call since his admission had contained a response from her.

There was hope.

He’d also added to her bouquet—freesias, bluebells, and poppies.

My dearest Margaret, began his fourth such letter.

I’m sitting outside a tent on the Rhine River. It is glistening, perhaps because the sun is at its highest point and sends its beams across a wide swath of the water. In the literature courses I took in college, we were expected to detail the symbolism we found in it. All I wanted to do was read the story. But as I look at this vision, I dare to believe that it is a sign of a brighter world about to emerge.