“Sasya, wait for me. I’m pathetic aren’t I? I can’t promise you I’ll return next summer. But I will return.”
“I’ve volunteered for the draft. It’s a gamble, but I’ll do anything to go back to you. Everyone says we’ll be home before Christmas. The lake will be frozen by then, but the coming summer we can spend together. Sasya, wait for me.”
“It’s been almost two years. But Sasya… You’re gone.”
“How could you think that I left you? I should’ve stayed by your side no matter what… You wouldn’t have been able to handle it though…”
“I’ll wait at home. Julian tells me I’m ruining my life. I don’t care nor do I believe him. I’ll wait for you to return…”
“Karel. I thought about what sacrifice was again.”
It hasn’t left his mind. “And? What is it?”
“I think sacrifice is different than what waiting is.”
“I agree.”
“Before you asked me… What I could sacrifice for you. If I had been able to, even before the war ended… If I hadn’t left in the way that I did… If I had learned to be a bit more patient… You wouldn’t have gotten hurt. And I wouldn’t be filled with regret.
“So, I’ll wait now. I’ll wait for you to marry your beautiful woman, and to have your own child that looks like you. I’ll wait for that time to pass… Until someday, you come back to me…”
Solo For Two, Chapter 61