The streets of Jefferson were dusted with snow, it was a sign that it was getting closer to Christmas and I couldn't wait.
" Lottie." Sarah was standing by the window of the soda shop with Jan and Em. I ran to them and smiled.
" Am I late?" I asked. Jan shook her head.
" Look what I've got," she said. She held out the newest Sears catalogue.
" Wow, let's go in and look at it," I said.
" Yeah, it's cold out here," Em complained. Sarah pulled open the door and we all walked in and looked around for an empty table.
" There's one," Jan said, taking off her hat and walking to a table.
" No." Sarah grabbed her arm. " That one." She looked to the back of the shop where there was an empty table right beside some boys from school.
" Alright," Jan said. We walked to the back and took off our coats and hats and put them on our chairs.
" So lets see that catalogue," Em said, grinning. Jan put it on the table and pushed around so we could all see it.
" They're looking," Sarah whispered.
" Ignore them," I muttered. I glanced up to see the boys. A pair of brown eyes caught mine. Andrew Murphy. He smiled and I quickly looked back at the catalogue. " I'll get the sodas. The usual?" I stood up and walked to the counter.
" One cherry soda, one strawberry milkshake and two chocolate ice cream sundaes please," I said, to the man behind the counter. I took sixty cents out of my pocket and put the coins on the counter. I stood and waited as the radio played in the background. They were talking about the war.
" Charlotte, could you pass me some napkins please?" Andrew asked. He stood beside me, smiling. I nodded and moved the basket towards him. " Jack knocked his glass over, there's ice cream everywhere," he said, with a laugh. " Thanks for the napkins."
" No problem," I said quietly.
" You seem quiet. Are you alright?" He asked.
" I'm fine," I said.
" Here are your drinks," the man said.
" Thanks," I said, grabbing the four glasses. " I'll see you soon," I said to Andrew before I walked back to my friends. I passed out the drinks and sat down.
" Why do I always make a fool of myself?" I asked.
" You don't," Em said. " You like him, and from the look of it you handled that better than we would."
" Thanks Em," I said, even though I knew she was lying.
" What did he say?" Sarah asked.
" Nothing really," I said.
" Be quiet," someone shouted. Silence filled the room so we could hear the radio.
" At 7:48 this morning, the American naval base at Pearl Harbour was bombed by Japanese planes. We still do not have full details on casualties but President Roosevelt has declared that today is a date that will live in infamy." The radio was then turned off but everyone became louder.
" Henry," Em whispered. " That's where he is. I need to go home." She stood up, grabbed her coat and ran out into the cold.
I was glad to be the oldest, I would hate to get the news that my older brother was injured or possibly dead.