“I’ve been wondering when you would be back,” she giggled lightly, taking his hand and leading him toward the dining room. “You forgot your jacket last night after supper. I wanted to go by your house to deliver it today but Father said I should wait. ‘A man always comes back for his things’, he said.”

            Nervously, Weston rubbed his palms together. “Well, Nora, that’s not really the reason I came to see you. I got a letter in the mail today.”

            “Already?” the girl was more disappointed than surprised. They both knew the day would come, and she stayed up every night since she met Weston in order to prepare for the jolt when finally getting the news.

            “I’m afraid so.”

            Before the two could continue their intimate conversation, Nora’s father strolled into the dining room. “Leaving today, is it, son?” he had an air of distinguished pride in his voice. “It’s an honor to have a young man like you in my home.”

            With that, the man took Weston by the shoulder leading him into the library with one of his strong hands. In private, they talked about traveling the world and doing things to which ‘real’ men should always devote their lives. Weston tried to concentrate on all the topics the old man was drawing out, but his mind refused to wander too far from Nora. He did, however, clearly catch the last thing a man should always do – return home to claim what was rightfully his.

            By the time Weston emerged from the library, the clock had ticked away all of his precious minutes to say a proper goodbye to the beautiful Nora. She gave him a knowing smile while handing him his heavy jacket. There, in the doorway of the huge house, Weston kissed her for the last time.

            The whistle of the train sounded through the afternoon air as Weston took his seat among the other young boys going off to war. Many had pictures in their hands. Pictures, he assumed, of loved ones they were forced to leave behind. In that moment, he wished he’d taken the time to get a proper picture of Nora. All he had was the image in his mind, an image that would surely fade.