A/N: After all the encouragement and support by some of the amazing people here, I decided to try my hand at a little something that's been rolling around in my head for awhile!
I especially want to thank the lovely beta goddess who stayed with me through many, many technical difficulties to try to get this out there! Love ya Meads!!
Any mistakes still left are mine, trust me!
Just taking CH's characters on a field trip, in which I'll bring them back later! Although, I might hold Eric hostage! ;)
I sat on the edge of my bed staring into a mirror that was propped on top of the large wooden dresser. I had only a few minutes before I needed to leave; yet I needed more time than that to pull myself together. Torrents of emotions had been cascading through me since I awoke this morning. I wasn't quite sure as to why today of all days, that I was reliving this hurtful moment. I had pulled myself together fairly quickly over the last year. But, all it took was one memory, or maybe it was many that were now tying together, as I sat motionless, to break my stoic disposition.
Slowly, I pulled myself off the bed and made my way to stand in front of the chest of drawers. I opened the upper right hand drawer, dug underneath the undergarments, and pulled out a small picture frame. Taking a deep breath, I turned the frame right-side-up and immediately felt the searing pain in my chest and tears pool at the bottom of my eyes. I ran a finger over the outline of the man in the picture. "Sam", was all I could whisper as a single tear fell from my eye and landed on the glass. My best friend. My fiancé.
I used to spend hours staring at this picture. I would often carry it around with me in my purse wherever I would go and then take it to bed with me at night. His eyes were the last thing that I would gaze into as I lay on my side, facing his side of the bed, and the first thing I would see when I would awake. I would talk to him like old times, just him and me; talking about our past, and present, but there it would end. Our future would never be a discussion. The little, yellow home that we wanted would never be purchased to hold our future memories. Our children would never come to pass. As quickly as the candle of our future was lit and burned bright, it was extinguished.
The small, rectangular glass that protected my Sam's photo was beginning to create a distortion of the portrait behind it from my accumulating tears. I grabbed a tissue from the box on top of the dresser and watched them soak into the thin paper as I wiped away my tears from the glass. The man in the olive green uniform was once again smiling back at me, causing a small tug in the corner of my mouth. Grabbing another tissue, I blotted my eyes and put the picture away.
Today was not the day to be walking down the path of past promises and pain. Taking one last sniffle, I willed myself out of my forlorn state, and returned my gaze back to the mirror to take in my full appearance. The deep navy blue background of my short sleeve dress, allowed the small, white, pinpoint polka dots to stand out like the sky on a summer's eve. Three white buttons were placed vertically down the front, stopping just above my waist were the thin white belt wrapped. The belt helped to accent the smallness of my waist and separate my busty top from my curvaceous bottom. Flesh colored stockings peeked out from the bottom of the dress that fell to my knee and ended with navy, high-heeled shoes. A small run had started to gather at the ankle of my stockings, but they were the only pair that I had left. They would simply have to do.
I decided to wear my hair down today. I licked the tips of my fingers smoothing the golden waves of my Veronica Lake style cut. My hair was parted on the left causing a few shorter strands that fell to the right to frame my face. Make up was a shortage in 1943, so needless to say, I wore nothing but a little pressed powder, light mascara, and engine red lipstick. While I usually saved make up for going out in the evenings, I felt today warranted a little extra attention if I was going to be asking for a job.
"Sookie? Are you ready?" The bedroom door muffled the question, and I could tell from the hesitation and uncertainty in my Gran's voice that she felt uncomfortable drawing me from my reclusive room. My room had become my haven. This was the only place that I felt truly safe and guarded from reality. I knew that I had created a sanctuary of self-pity and despair, but I honestly didn't have a reason not too, nor did I know how too change it. Like I said, this was safe. However, I was not as naive enough to think that it was proper for a young, twenty-two year old women to stay holed up in her bedroom of her grandmother's house letting friendships slip through her fingers and life pass by. I just didn't know how to start over. I felt like I was a complete puzzle just over a year ago. Now, I felt as though I was just a box of pieces with some missing, knowing that no matter how many of the parts I put back together, there would always be a portion of the picture absent.
"Coming, Gran," I replied. Taking one last glance in the mirror and picking up my white clutch, I opened the door and walked over the threshold that separated past and future. I may not have wanted to face what lay ahead of me, but I knew it was necessary in more ways than one. I gave Gran a quick side smile, trying to convince both her, and myself, that I was okay.
We piled into Gran's Ford Model 18 three window Coupe. The car was ten years old, but still ran magnificently. We had chosen to sell my car because it was even older than Gran's and needed work. It had also become a prize as soon as the war started. Not only was there a shortage of cars, but tires were the first items to be rationed that were not edible. Just after the bombing in Pearl Harbor, the Japanese had seized plantations in the Dutch East Indies that provided approximately ninety percent of rubber to America. President Roosevelt asked all citizens to help with this crisis by recycling any items made with rubber. I knew that I would not need my car and my nation needed help. The choice was easily made. It was also part of the reason that I was headed out to find work.
Gran paused just as she was getting ready to turn over the engine. While keeping one hand on the key and the other on the wheel, she turned to face me, quietly voicing, "I'm proud of you Sookie for taking this step."
"I know." I simply responded. Her eyes lingered for a moment, just taking me in, waiting to see if there was anything else that I wanted to add. When I didn't respond she nodded and returned to her prior task. I turned to face out the front window. The engine purred to life and we were soon on our way to the new Willow Run Bomber Plant.
The war department was whom I could thank for this opportunity. Because of the huge auto industry in Michigan, Ford Motor Co, GM, and Chrysler were converting auto plants into bomber plants. They had ordered the newly built Ford owned plant to hire woman to make the necessary components for the B-24 Liberator Bombers. Rumor had it that women were coming from all over the United States to work at the plant. It was the first time that females could earn about the equivalent hourly rate of their male counterparts. It was also helping the country supply needed bombers and their parts for the men in the war. Pearl Harbor had changed everything. The United States had held out from entering the war for as long as they could, but that December day in 1941 moved us into a position of entering World War II. It was also the day that changed my life personally, diverging my life's path in a different direction.
The trip into Willow Run only took us about fifteen minutes, given that we weren't slowed from road construction. I had been out and around the area numerous times since they started building the factory and securing housing development in the area, and each time I was rewarded with a new site to see. As we turned on to Ecorse Road, the number of construction workers began to increase the closer we go to an adjoining road. The new paved route was littered with workers and large road construction and cement trucks. The addition of the bomber plant was creating the biggest development our city had seen in years. It was exciting to say the least, knowing that just as people change, so do the towns they live in.
It only took us about fifteen minutes to get from our house to the main entrance off of Ecorse Road to Willow Run where the plant was located. I had heard that the factory was to be the largest in the world, but no hearsay could have prepared me for the fortress that I could see off in the short distance. It took us about four minutes to get down that gated front drive.
"Wow," Gran said with awe in her voice.
"Do you imagine that's what the White House looks like, I mean without windows of course?" I asked, taking in the massive structure in front of us. Six extremely tall columns stood erect in front of multiple entrance doors. A windowless east and west wing flanked the columned center. The backdrop to the faux White House was an impressive cement structure that obviously housed the heart of the plant manufacturing. The giant structure was intimidating to say the least. I had never seen anything like this before and here I was about to make my entrance. Gran had pulled up to the curb that outlined the massive sidewalk in front of the pillared complex. Apprehensively, I slide out of the passenger side, stopping briefly to take in the vastness before me.
It was only when I heard my Gran speak, that I was pulled from thought. "Good luck, Sookie. I know that you will do well. Always remember that I love you and am proud of you. I'll be waiting in the parking lot and will pull around when I see you come out." That was the second time that she had told me she was proud of me today. Was I really that much of a recluse that she felt she needed to tell me she was happy that I was trying to get routine back in my life? I nodded, shut the door, and turn towards the entrance. While walking I smoothed my dress out, and ran a hand along my hair, before making my way into the building.
"A Miss Stackhouse to see you, sir," Gloria, the secretary, announced into the phone. I internally winced at hearing the word Miss. I still could not get over the fact that I was still a Miss and not a Misses. For so long I had practiced what my new name, Mrs. Merlotte, would have sounded like. Now, every time that I would hear my own maiden name, it sounded so final and reminded me of what I didn't have.
Gloria, however, gave me no time to bask in my sorrow, as she announced, "Mr. Brigant is ready for you. You may go on in."
Mr. Brigant was a handsome man. He looked tall with an average build and his olive skin accented his white hair. He firmly shook my hand as I approached, then directed me to the chair sitting in front of the large metal desk. Power and authority seemed to just roll off this man before me and reverberate around the office walls. Yet, there was something in the way that the lines creased around his eyes and mouth when he smiled that told me that there was more to this man than meets the eye.
"Ms. Stackhouse, I.." Mr. Brigant was interrupted by the phone that had started ringing on his desk, which he quickly apologized for and picked up. "Yes, Gloria. Send him in."
Before Mr. Brigant could say anything to me, the door opened and my breath hitched. The most stunning man I had ever seen walked into the small office. The chair I had sat in directly faced the front of the door he walked through, causing our eyes to meet immediately. The stranger stopped mid-stride, with his hand still on the door handle. Instantly my ankles and thighs tightened together as if my muscular system had now joined my respiratory system in malfunctioning. I couldn't help myself, but to break contact and rake my eyes up and down his form. His blond hair looked to be longer than the typical cut of most men's. It was tucked behind his ears and brushed back on the top. His skin was tanned which accented his chiseled features and the most stunning pair of cerulean blue eyes. His clean-shaven skin allowed his strong jaw line to be seen. His height forced my eyes to take a lot longer to cover the entirety of his body. He looked fit and wore his deep navy pin stripped suit very well. Just as my eyes were making my way back to his, I noticed that he too, was checking me out. I felt a warm blush settled on my cheeks as he finally met my gaze once again and smiled.
I heard Mr. Brigant clear his throat, causing both the stranger and I to remember that we were not, in fact, the only people present. "I'm glad you could make it. I was just about to get started," Mr. Brigant continued, and as he spoke, the stranger seated himself in another chair to the side of the desk creating a perfect line of sight to me.
Everything was fine until this man entered the room. I was the perfect form of poise. Now I was the perfect form of insecure. My hands had started to slightly sweat and I noticed that the heat from the blush that has spread all over my face had not disappeared, but rather intensified. I had to get a hold of myself and fast. This job was important to me and to my Gran. I put my head down briefly and tried to steel myself once again. Gran. That was who I needed to focus on. If I could focus on her depending on me then I could do this. I took a deep breath and relaxed my ankles and thighs. When I finally picked my head back up, both the stranger and Mr. Brigant had a ghost of a smile playing out on their faces as if they knew something I didn't.
"Ms. Stackhouse, thank you for being prompt for your appointment today. You wouldn't believe how many people show up late for an interview," Mr. Brigant stated as he took his seat at his desk behind the nameplate 'Mr. Niall Brigant, Plant Manager.'
"I think being dependable, loyal, and trustworthy are characteristics that truly define a person, Mr. Brigant. I told you I would be here at ten, so here I am."
This time an obvious smile arose on their faces. They must have been taken back by my response because both sat there staring at me for a moment, almost pensive.
Mr. Brigant was first to break the silence. "I, too, find those qualities of a person of utmost importance. Please, Sookie, may I call you Sookie?" I simply shook my head to tell him that was okay. "Then, Sookie, please tell me what brought you here today."
"Well, the most important reason for me to be here is because I want to be able to play my part in aiding my country and the service men called into war. It is important for me to be able to assist in the war efforts and by working here at Willow Run I believe I can do that. I am a hard worker, and obviously, you now know what traits I value most in a person, therefore, I live by them as well." I knew that I had sounded confident while speaking because it was the absolute truth that I spoke.
"You said that aiding your country was the most important reason, is there another reason why you feel this job is important?" Niall asked.
I felt the clench in my stomach as his face slide into my mind. Shit. Why did he have to ask me this question? I knew it would eventually come up, but I was hoping not today. I couldn't just tell him about Sam. I could barely talk about it with Gran. I knew that I was taking to long to answer the question and I needed to say something. "Someone very important to me died in the war and this is my way of giving back to him. I guess you could say that it's my way of not walking away from that person, but rather saying I will also sacrifice for my country much like he did." I forced the words to be as steady as possible, knowing that deep down I was having a hard time at fighting back my emotions the longer I spoke.
I hadn't realized that I had shifted my eyes to the floor while I answered Niall's question. When I glanced back to his face, I caught a fleeting glimpse of some emotion, sadness maybe? The room had become way to quiet for my liking after I spoke. Damn it! This was not the way I anticipated this interview to play out. I felt my nerves become inflamed and my already glistening palms become a little more moist, causing me to reach out and grip the fabric of my skirt. I wondered if I should say something else. Where they expecting me to elaborate? Still no one spoke.
Finally, the handsome stranger came to my aide. Although, he alone made my heart speed up just by looking at him. I can honestly say that I didn't know what was worse, this interview or the way I felt every time I looked into those crystalline eyes that sat off to the side. "Sookie, there are many types of jobs here at the plant. Can you tell us a little bit about your studies to help us with placing you?"
I relaxed, which I'm sure was obvious, because I could feel my tight muscles let go a little. This question was much, much easier. "Of course. After I graduated high school, I attended Michigan State Normal College where I finished my studies to become a teacher. I worked for a short while at an all boys home briefly, prior to Pearl Harbor. Afterwards, I took time off to help out my Gran." Okay, so I knew I was stretching the truth at the end. I really was helping Gran out; I just neglected to inform them of my near break down of Sam's death. I figured that was irrelevant anyway.
Again, the men before me were silent, but looked slightly amused. Had I said something funny?
Niall began to chuckle slightly making my feel uncomfortable. What was it with these two? My blood pressure had been on a roller coaster since I got here, and the longer I was stuffed in this power laden office the more I felt I would pass out from the amount of panic and heat that had seemed to settled into me. I must have looked confused because Niall quickly broke from his laughter to explain.
"Forgive me Sookie. I am not laughing at anything you have just said. It's just that.. well, forgive me for saying this, but I just can't believe you are asking for a job here. You're educated, intelligent, have great personal skills and not to mention, you're very beautiful. Yet, here you sit, in my office, in a bomber plant, asking for a job. I just find it rather amusing and humbling. That's all." He chuckled slightly after he finished. I just simply stared at him. I honestly didn't get it. Didn't he hear that I wanted to assist my country? Be the patriot that I knew I should be? Did he think I was over qualified to be a 'Rosie the Riveter'?
"Forgive me for saying this Mr. Brigant, but I know very well that you already have many educated women with various backgrounds working for you. I really don't understand why I am any different". Well, now I certainly had done it. Both man blatantly, but briefly, looked at each other. The stranger had one cocked eyebrow and a small side smile as he looked at Niall. And Niall mirrored the same bemused expression on his face. Shaking his head slightly, Niall returned to look at me.
"Sookie, we have a position on the line for wiring the bomber wings. It is a complicated process, but I feel you would be more than capable of handling it. You would be required to spend two days in training for this job, which would be paid of course. We work nine-hour shifts here. The shift I would like you on is the morning shift from eight to six. Does this sound satisfactory to you?" Both sets of eyes waited for my response.
"May I ask what the hourly rate is?" I countered.
"Of course. As I'm sure you have already heard, women are paid quite well here, making equivalent to their male counterparts. Your particular job would be on the higher end of the scale, which would be one dollar and forty-five cents per hour. Does this make the offer more agreeable?"
You bet your ass it did! A woman making that kind of money was unheard of. No wonder women were flocking in from all over the country to work here. Containing my inner giddiness as best as I possibly could, I responded, "I believe that is agreeable."
"Fantastic!" Niall also seemed to be pleased. His face seemed to brighten and his smile widen. I stole a glance to the stranger to find him still wearing his silly smirk from before. "One last important thing Ms. Stackhouse. I know with gas rations many of my workers are having trouble finding rides to work or are car sharing. We will have a busing system up and going, but it's not ready yet. Do you have a way of getting here daily or will you require assistance if I can find it?"
I was silently kicking myself that I hadn't really thought about transportation. I thought that I covered every angle for securing this job, but apparently I overlooked the most important: being able to get here! Sure, Gran had transportation, but because of the rations, her car was filled daily due car sharing with neighbors, helping them to get to work. Suddenly I felt awkward and unsure. What if this realization cost me a position here at the plant?
"I'm sorry, but transportation would be an issue. Is there a list of drivers posted somewhere that I could ask for a ride?" I asked with a remorseful tone.
Niall immediately asked, "Where is it that you live?"
"Not very far from here. I live on McLean Road between the two lakes."
For the first time the stranger made a sound. He didn't respond with words, but simply a, "Humph" sound. Niall responded with the widest grin that caused more laugh lines and crows feet to appear than I had seen previously. I didn't have to wait long to find out what caused this reaction in these two men.
Niall gleamed, "Well, Sookie, it looks like you were meant to be here today. It just so happens that one of the riders in my nephew's car quit today to stay at home because her husband enlisted. That means that one spot just opened up. It also just happens to be that my nephew lives on the south side of Ford Lake, which is not that far from you. I don't think he'll mind at all having you in his car."
Suddenly, things were looking great! I felt a weight being lifted off me that I didn't know I had there in the first place. My interview was finishing up wonderfully. I couldn't contain my happiness any longer and I knew that it just had to have shown on my face. Now to only find out when they want me to start, what the dress code was and who would be my driver.
"This is great, Mr. Brigant! Could you please tell me when I can start and what I should wear." I said with probably a little too much enthusiasm in my voice.
"If it's not too much trouble I would like to start you immediately meaning tomorrow." I nodded my head in concurrence. "I will have my nephew take you by the uniform shop when he escorts you out to pick up your new uniform." Again, I nodded knowing my crazy Sookie smile was plastered across my face. "Well, I guess that about wraps it up. It was a pleasure to meet Sookie and I look forward to you being part of the team." While standing up, Niall extended his hand towards mine to shake.
I took his hand in mine while finishing up my own last thoughts. "Mr. Brigant, thank you so much for this opportunity. I really am excited about starting right away. But, I'm sorry. You never told me who your nephew was. I don't know who it is I'm supposed to ask about the car share."
"Oh goodness! Where are my manners today? Forgive me, Sookie. Here I am conducting an interview and didn't even introduce you to the man who assisted me." Niall reached out and slapped the stranger on the shoulder for dramatic effect. "Sookie, I would like you to meet my nephew, Eric Northman."
Well, Shit!
So, what do you think?