Emma

Emma


This story is a day and a life into the world of Emma Browning- a seventeen year old brunette with sparkling green eyes, and whose lover Phillip just went away to war.


As I was sitting out on the porch swing engrossed in the newest edition to my book collection, I couldn't help but think of Phillip. However, my thoughts were interrupted when our mail carrier Jake came forth on our stoop. After our hellos, and thoughts on the war taking place he proceeded to take out an envelope addressed to me. We talked for a little more, but I was relieved when he started to make his rounds again, I couldn't wait to read my letter. I was filled with so much excitement, because the letter had no sender and only one person ever writes to me, so I knew it had to be from my dear Phillip.

I started tearing through the paper wanting so
badly to read its content. Sure enough, it was from Phillip. It said none other than:

My Dearest Emma,
Oh, how I miss you. While writing this I look at a picture of your pretty face, but I know it won't do justice to looking at the smile you most likely have plastered on you face at this very moment. It is nighttime here and the boys say we shall be at the site at dusk, in the evening after next. However, I must conceal my whereabouts for if word leaks out we shall both be in danger. I suppose that my time for writing shall be cut short, making my letters less frequent, but I want you to know that I Love You dear and we shall continue our plans to be wed once I return. But, I promise you that I will come back to you, for you are my love, my only. To enclose my promise is a list of clues that shall lead you closer and closer to my gift of love. Your first riddle is down below, and if you solve it and go to this place you will be faced with another riddle, and another, till you will finally encounter your prize, I have to go now love, but this shall not be the last time you will here from me. I love you.

Always Yours,
Phillip

P.S. - Riddle number one is placed in a place where I liked to sit because there wasn't any other place quite like it. It was my favorite spot, and yours too, if you go there now shall receive riddle number two.

It was ten minutes, ten agonizing minutes before the answer came to me, and the fact that I did not recall this earlier made me feel ashamed. Still, I jumped up from the swing and ran inside to gather the next riddle that would lead me closer to Phillip's heart. I was not surprised to find that second riddle placed at the grand rocking chair in the main den, for it was of course, our favorite spot inside to sit when he called upon me.
Placed there was:
Riddle number two is sitting in the spot where we taught, and placed there is a secret that we would never tell, it is number two from the right, open it up and riddle three will be in sight.

I was prepared for this one so it only took a few minutes to comprehend the secret message. I instantly headed toward the bookshelf that had books on it from when we taught little Lizzy how to read. Also on this bookshelf , book two from the right, was a book we hollowed out to keep our prized possessions.
That is indeed where I found the third riddle:
The special gift that all will see is hanging from our favorite tree it………

The riddle continued but I knew the destination immediately. On my way I thought it was a surprise to read that the riddle would lead to the gift, I would of thought this little game would of continued longer, but then I was embarrassed for thinking such thoughts, I mean the man was at war, yet he took time before he left to make a game that would make me happy.
There the secret gift was, hanging from the branch of the oak tree we measured our life by, hung a single silver locket and inside was a picture of him and a caption which read
~ I will love you to the day I die and beyond ~ As a tear slipped down my check, I slid onto the grass while I thought about Phillip so hard I could scarcely breathe. I clasped the precious necklace around my neck knowing that it would hang by my heart till I could take the ribbon off the front tree and have him in my arms again. My last thoughts before I slipped into a noon summers nap was, I love you Phillip, and oh how I miss you.

The End