Read Buffalo Valley for Free Online Page B

him, carrying a tray with a ceramic pot and two matching cups, as well as a plate of small cookies.
    Vaughn stood and took the tray from her, placing it on the coffee table, and waited while she poured. He noticed that her hands were unsteady, but he didn’t interrupt or try to assist her.
    When she’d finished, she picked up a round, plain hatbox and removed the lid. “The top letter is the first one that mentions your mother.”
    Vaughn reached for the envelope.
    September 30, 1966
    Dear Mom and Dad,
    I’m in love. Don’t laugh when you read this. Rick and I went to a hootenanny last night and therewas this terrific girl there. Her name’s Barbara Lowell, and guess what? She’s from Grand Forks. She’s got long blond hair and the most incredible smile you’ve ever seen. After the hootenanny we drank coffee and talked for hours. I’ve never felt like this about any other girl. She’s smart and funny and so beautiful I had a hard time not staring at her. Even after I left her, I was so wrapped up in meeting her I couldn’t sleep. First thing this morning, I called her and we talked for two hours. Rick is thoroughly disgusted with me and I don’t blame him, but I’ve never been in love before.
    As soon as I can, I want to bring her home for you to meet. You’ll understand why I feel the way I do once you see her for yourselves.
    Love,
Vaughn
    â€œThe Rick he’s writing about is my dad?” Vaughn asked.
    Hassie nodded. “Here’s another one you might find interesting.” She lifted a batch of letters from the box.
    It was apparent from the way she sorted through the dates that she’d reread each letter countless times.
    July 16, 1967
    Dear Mom and Dad,
    I’ve made my decision, but I have to tell you it was probably the most difficult I’ve ever had to make. I love Barb, and both of us want to get married right away. If I were thinking just of me, that’s exactly what we’d do before I ship out. But I’m following your example, Dad. You and Mom waited until after the war to marry, and you came back safe and whole. I will, too.
    Barb cried when I told her I felt it was best to delay the wedding until after my tour. Although you never advised me one way or the other, I had the feeling you thought it was better this way.
    Vaughn stopped reading. “Did you want him to wait before marrying my mother?”
    Hassie closed her eyes. “His father and I thought they were both too young. In the years that followed, I lived to regret that. Perhaps if Vaughn had married your mother, there might have been a grandchild. I realize that’s terribly selfish, and I hope you’ll forgive me.”
    â€œThere’s nothing to forgive.”
    â€œI always wondered if Jerry would’ve lived longer if we’d had grandchildren. Valerie was still in college at the time and wasn’t married yet. A few years after that, she moved to Hawaii to take a job and met her husband there, but by then it was too late for Jerry.”
    â€œSo your husband took the news of Vaughn’s death very hard?”
    â€œOnce we received word about Vaughn, my husband was never the same. He was close to both children, but the shock of Vaughn’s death somehow made him lose his emotional balance. Much as he loved Valerie and me, he couldn’t get over the loss of his son. He went into a deep depression and started having heart problems. A year later, he died, too.”
    â€œHeart attack?”
    â€œTechnically, yes, but Vaughn’s death is what really killed him, despite what that death certificate said. He simply gave up caring about anything. I wish…” Her voice trailed off.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Vaughn said, and meant it.
    â€œDon’t be.” She patted his hand. “God knew better. Had your mother and my son married, you would never have been born.”
    It must have hit her hard that her