Carse, Robert "The Heart Returns"

World War 2 short story that could almost be classified as women’s romance writing, though with an interesting psychological insight into the popular mood of America during the waning days of the War that transcends the romance genre. Taciturn merchant ship Captain William Jordan pays a condolence call on the young widow of an American Major whom he’d befriended while ferrying the army officer and his troops across the Mediterranean from North Africa to Sicily. (The major had been subsequently killed in heavy fighting during the invasion of Sicily). After meeting the widow, love slowly develops between the two (abetted by the widow’s 10-year old son, who takes an instant liking to the sea captain). The mariner initially pulls away only to realize that it is “the simple courage of women ... that kept the world going.” Even so, he thinks it unseemly to pursue his love, only to be told in no uncertain terms by the widow herself that she also loves him. It is time, she continues, for those of us who are survivors to get back to life. Though loved ones be lost, the living must get on with their lives to keep “hopes alive.”