Yesterday Was Long Ago: Part One by Hedy Thalberg James

Author:Hedy Thalberg James [James, Hedy Thalberg]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-03T22:00:00+00:00

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Karl, after realizing the predicament in which his son had found himself, finally had a chance to talk to him about his good fortune to be stationed in beautiful Venice.

“It still hasn’t quite sunk in,” Alex said. He told his father that while he was dancing, he had overheard some people say that Grandmother’s greatest surprise was when a cousin of hers arrived to visit from America. “He must have impressed our guests because even some officers joined the spellbound crowd.”

“A cousin from where?” Karl asked in amazement, not quite sure he had heard correctly.

“They said from America. I’m amazed that I couldn’t find Grandmother to ask, but with so many people, and the fact that she knew all of them over the years, I never gave it too much thought.”

“Come on son. We’ll have to see for ourselves.”

Both hurried and found Stephany amid a group of listeners assembled around a tall, portly man approximately Karl’s age. The handsome and even-featured man reminded him of his late Grandfather Albert. Many of the tables in the garden had been rearranged and moved close together, with gaslight and wineglasses glowing in the darkness. A completely new milieu presented itself away from the festive ballroom.

Karl and Alex liked what they were seeing. There were friends among friends, which Karl valued more than anything else. Both sat down quietly, unnoticed by the others who were still attentively listening to the newcomer. The theme was still the Civil War in America which had ended only two months ago.

The names of Richmond, Gettysburg, Kennesaw, Atlanta and many more were heard, along with General Robert E. Lee and Sherman, the latter being responsible for the burning of Atlanta. It was mostly the young officers who were enthralled by this chronicle, availing themselves of the opportunity of a first-hand response to all of their eager questions about a faraway continent that one only read about. Not so for Alex, though. He kept himself informed as well as possible, his full and only interest since childhood. He was listening as if in a trance, eager to inquire, and also to reveal some of his own knowledge at the first given opportunity. Karl, on the other hand, never keen on war stories, had his thoughts on something entirely different. He was trying to recall some of his father’s tales pertaining to the relatives who had long ago ventured to America and no one had ever heard from again. He became increasingly anxious to be introduced to the stranger.

As Alex and Karl rose from their seats almost simultaneously, they walked towards Stephany, who appeared radiant and rejuvenated. “I have been looking for both of you, but anytime I got a glimpse of you, you were in deep conversation, and Alex, you were nowhere to be found!” she exclaimed, smiling. “I knew that sooner or later we would meet up again. I wish it had been sooner because this is a most interesting coincidence.”

“Who is to assume anything coincidental on a day like this?” Karl laughed, still in festive spirits, nodding to the surrounding guests.

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