In "Blood Meridian" by Cormac McCarthy, a character finds himself among a group of soldiers, sitting on a pallet alongside a man from Kentucky. This individual, a war veteran, has come back to his hometown with hopes of rekindling a romance with a dark-eyed girl he left behind two years prior. The backdrop of his return hints at the tumultuous nature of the times, as his memories intertwine with the harsh reality of war.

This moment captures the emotional struggle faced by many soldiers who left loved ones behind while they were away at war. The mention of officers needing to drive back young girls disguised as boys only deepens the sense of loss and yearning that permeates the narrative. It reflects the drastic changes inflicted by conflict on personal lives and relationships, illuminating the intersection of love, war, and memory.