I was never a fan of reading love stories. I think they are absurd and unrealistic.

But the story of

Edna and Henry made me realize that some of them are good and relatable. I am saying this
because I believe not all love stories should end up with living happily ever after. Sometimes,
they are just there to make us feel love for a moment and eventually learn a lesson in life.
Talking about the story of Edna and Henry, the conflict there is that they have different
perspective or view on love. Henry is a more of a hopeless romantic. He has this idealistic view
on love wherein most of the time he is just fantasizing about it and dreaming of a somewhat
fairytale-like story with Edna. He is completely smitten. He daydreams of a future with her even
though he has no idea without how he will make it. Whereas Edna is a realist. She has a
realistic and practical view. She knew that love is not enough. There are other things to make a
relationship work. For instance, they need job and money to have that empty house as well as
to survive. Also, she sees that she is too young for it.
The story was left open ended as the message in the telegram was not revealed. But somehow,
I assumed that Edna did not choose to commit. As I read “The garden became full of
shadows---they span a web of darkness over the cottage and the trees and the telegram”, it is
implied to me that the daydreaming of Henry was over. Thus, it is all dark and lonely for him.
Their conflict indeed overpowered the love.

Speaking of