I don't own The Outsiders .
March 1944,Tulsa,Oklahoma .
Heavey rain beatting on the windows of the diner .Typically the spring had show signs of his arrival but the winter seemed to drag and hit the world like the war did ,already ,since more than two years .
Emma Riley had taken her service with a good half-hour late .She took off her coat and hat hardened and, quickly,tied her waitress apron . The young girl ran her hand in her golden hair falling over her shoulders wavy curls. She went behind the counter smiling warmly at a few regulars who sat at the bar . Most of them knew her since she was a child ... .
She had arrived in Tulsa on a cold winter day,there is already fifteen years ,her beautiful deep blue eyes,she saw the beauty of the snow who offered her to come play on her powdery white coat .The little girl with rosy cheeks was just three and wasn't really aware the drama she crossed. Few days earlier in Texas,when she played on swing in front of the home of the mother's best friend,a car was parcked on the road just before the yard . The man who out off car seemed huge to her,but she didn't preoccupied. She kept swinging happily,humming a tune her mommy sang to her every night before she goes to sleep. "Danny Boy Song" this tune from the distant country whence her mom's family came. Then ,Emma seen Shirley,her mother's best friend,a gentle and caring woman who have already four children with who the little girl liked to play,out of the house running . She didn't understand why she had pressed against her weeping,and why the big man behind her seemed so sorry . Emma didn't know that her mommy,Mary,was a victim of a serious explosion in the factory where she worked . Many workers were injured or , like Mary ,died in the explosion .
Emma had never known her father,who died shortly before her birth .She heard that he had commited the folly to steal a store for few dollars and was shot .He wasn't a bad man,just tired of being poor and wanted to feed his pregnant wife in the America of the Great Depression. Shirley would have liked to keep the little girl with her,but she had to raise her four children and her husband,like many others,was often unemployed . Socials services decided that Emma would be sent to Tulsa in Oklahoma where lived her paternal grandmother,Joan Riley . She lived on the east side of the city where she was recognized midwife and a little bit a nurse. Emma liked immediatly her "new grandma"who was strict but fair,and a woman hiding a tender heart under her rough appearence .
"Foul weather,eh!a moustachied old man said,whom she served coffee. And to think I should soon begind the sow wheat!And this fucking war that sent my son thousands miles away !"
"Have you heard from Jim,Mr Thompson ?"Emma asked very was very friendly school with Judith,the young wife of Jim were a few weeks,she helped her grandmother to attend the young woman at the birth of her first child,and was overwhelmed to see her to cry thinking that Jim,who fought in the Pacific,perhaps would never see his son .
"No,no news,Mr Thompson replied bitterly .Not since two months!... Who know... Until we see pointed a "uniform" to tell us that my Jim ... "
"You must not think that,Mr Thompson,Emma cut . I'm sure there maybe hundreds of explanations!...I guess the mail is very slow right now and ... "
She was interrupted by the bell of the door that turned her attention .An man had just entered the diner .He wore a military uniform and seemed to have received all that could rain had poured out on him . Waving others customers nod,he sat at the table near the window,putting his bag on the leather seat in front of him .
"You see,Mr thompson was reffering to the young man. One more that the Government sends at the massacre !"
Emma smiled genlty the old man .She knew somewhere he was right . So many families in the region hasn't see their sons,father,or husband come back of this war .Emma shuddered at the thought that it was the same in all the countries . Her grandmother send her in the collection of blood for the wounded on the front,and she insisted to donate blood too .The nurse in charge of collecting said a bitter tone :"So many blood soon will be spilled on the sand,back into the sea,or somewhere in this damned islands ... ". The young girl had almost bad,but it was certainly because of steep but realistic words of the nurse as having donated her blood .
"They takes them more and more young,my word ! Mr Thompson said still . You'll see,soon it's my grandson that they send to fight ! Damn politicians !"
Emma sighed Mr Thompson had so many reasons to be angry . She couldn't blame him for say what he thought .She gently squeezed his arm and grabbed a notebook and a pencil before moving to the young soldier . Approaching him,she began to observe him more carrefully . Mr Thompson told the truth,this young man wasn't more than nineteen or twenty years old .His eyes were fixed on the menu card,so that Emma couldn't see it. He was dark,his hair drawn back and back slightly on his forehead .She smiled to see him so concentrated on the menu,but she suspected that it was probably to hide his nervousness. She supposed that the young man was about to leave for the front .
She cleared her throat to get his attention.
"Excuse me,she you want to order ?"
He raised his head looking to see only the presence of the young girl . When his look fallen on her,Emma was surprised by his sparkling brown eyes who seemed so sweet and bright,in contrast to the tense and serious features of his face .Emma felt strangly disturbed.
"Hug ... ? he said .
"Oh,well... ! she laughs. I didn't know that our menu of the day could be so exciting... !"She was jocking,but soon realized that her humor wasn't the taste of the young military and recovered quickly,sorry to tease him while he was probably stessed out by his departure to war .
"Uh!...I suggest you fried chicken,it is excellent!"she stated .
"Well,the young soldier said. I'll take your word. And a soda,please ... ."Emma nodded and smiled,still ashamed of her clumsiness .
"I bring you all that in a moment!"
A few minutes later,Emma was waiting for the order to be ready in the kitchen when she hear a muffledcurse from Mr Thompson. The old man was reading the news and was stopped on the list of the missing . He had just discovered the name of a school friend of his son Jim,Mitch Reynolds,a nice guy he knew very well .
"Jim written me seeing Mitch,there are a few month ago,he explained to the young girl . Their patrol had crossed in the jungle . He told me haven't recognized him immediatly ,the war changed the poor kid ... . And now,I must go and see the poor boy's parents... Until someone do the same for me...when my Jim ..." Mr Thompson was a rough farmer,his pride wouldn't allow him to lets his emotions seem,yet he was ready to be submerged. He put the newspapers on the counter and quickly covered his eyes .
Emma felt her eyes fill with tears at the old man's dismay .
"Another coffee,Mr Thompson?she asked recovering herself .
"Yes,he whispered .Please do...with a dash of wisckey..." Emma complied .She wanted to help him,but how could she do, knowing that the predictions of the old man might eventually be fulfilled .
"Emma,the order for the three !" She heard from the kitchen .She rushed to grab the plate and she brought to the handsome soldier .
"That's it!she said . Enjoy your meal !"
"Thank you." He was ready to tackle the tasty piece of meat browned,began his third bite when he noticed that the young waitress was still standing in front of his table .
"Are there a problem ? he asked was swallowing food. I ordered a soda,it seems to me ..."
"...Yes,Emma replied.I'll bring you ,but..." She didn't know if her nervousness was had to the audacity of what she was about to ask the handsome stranger ,or his bright eyes placed on her .Still,she felt stupid,stuck there,but she launched .
"Uh,you're in the army,isn't ?she asked to the young man who looked at her,surprised by the absurdity of the question .
"You think my uniform is a disguise ."he said sarcastically .
"No,she said at all...It's just that...I was wondering if you could help me ..."
The young man raise his eyebrows and smiled at her request ,this conversation astonished more . Emma couldn't help notice that she liked his smile,quiet but so charming .
"Help you! And how ?"he asked amused,no doubt,by her audacity .
"Here...,Emma hastened,taking place in front of him . You see this man over there,at the bar ..."She gestured discreetly Mr Thompson."He is desperate to haven't news of his son. He is a corporal in the marines and fight in the Pacific ...Mr Thompson believe that his son is dead... that's why he stopped writting ."
"What's that got to do with me ?"
"Well,I guess you go to war,or you are on leave,isn't it...? ...Anyway!...Maybe you could go to take your soda at the bar and try to reassure him ...I know this is asking a lot but ..." Emma glanced to Mr Thompson continued his reading,looking more and more distressed by the fact related in the newspaper . "It would allievate him so much ..."
The young soldier didn't one second detached his look to her .His elbows on the table,he listened,nodding his head slightly,still looking incredulous and amused,but he was out of the fog who occupied his mind when he pushed the door of the diner .He was certain that his enlightenment was through the light from the light girl sitting in front of him . He lingered on her face with finely drawn features,framed by her golden wavy hair,accented on either side of her head by two thin bluish hair clip,on her eyes a deep blue green who seemed not see him,so much she was absorbed in what she explaned him ,to her pink lips who didn't stop talking ... He couldn't help thinking how beautiful she was,her enthusiasm and frankness pleased him . His gaze ran over her delicate neck,on a silver chain she wore and which hung a small medallion representing the nativity scene ,the collar of her white dress spinkled with small flower she wore ... .
"So,what do you think ?"A sweet and cheerful pull him from his thoughts,making almost jumped .
"Um..."he said,distracted,a little embarrassed to have perhaps been surprised when he gazed her . Quickly he sat up and leaned back against the seatback worn leither .
"You want well to help m...him?"Emma insisted by his visible reluctance.
"Well...,he sighed .What I especially want,now,is to finish the chicken before it becomes inedible ..."
Emma shook her head,annoyed:"You haven't listened to a word I said ...!"
"Yes! the young soldier defended .But..."He searched his words,not particularly wanting to hurt her .
"But...?"
"Miss,he said gently pushing his plate before him ,don't you think that it's cruel to give this man false hopes?"Emma frowned,confused .
"I mean,this man is probably right,you know . His son is maybe dead ...Why...Why do you want that I told him I don't know what to reassure him,if his fear finally prove to be correct ?"
Emma felt confused. She knew,deep down,that all the young soldier said was supposed to .She felt tears stung her eyes,but decided to not show her emotions and trying to keep hope,for Mr Thompson .
"But...,she whispered. This will give him hope!"
"Yes,the young man. Like I said,false hopes...!"
"How do you know that these are false hopes ?she exclaimed . And if instead it allowed him to keep faith until his son back !"
"As I told you,it maybe that his son..."
"No,you know nothing!Hope is sometime the only thing be able to help someone ! You know nothing...Under your great tunes you're definitely a little chickenshit of the military administration!" She stood up abruptly,making slightly shaking table.
"I thought you could help me,I was wrong !Call me if you need anything else!"
"Emma,Customers waiting for you !" she heard the boss of the diner call .
She gave him one last icy stare before turning on her heel to take her place behind the bar .
The military watched her away,blown away . He loved the wise and determined character he detected in her . He had never met a girl like her . Behind her apparent sweetness emerged as a force. He smiled as he remembered the image to the sweet young girl sitting in front of him a few minutes ago,and the fury that had just left . Yes,he liked this girl like no other before .
Half an hour passed . Emma was busy at the bar and serve the customers come for lunch,without worrying about the handsome soldier .She was ashamed of having spoken so harshly . No matter his rank and job in the army ,he wasn't responsible for this war ,and no doubt he was right,he wasn't the best position to reassure MrThompson . The old man had just finished his lunch and was waiting to bring his bill . The young military from his part,come to the bar and finished sipping soda served by the boss, a little man bald and fat,sixty years with a jovial face . He approached Mr Thompson who standing in front of the cashier and asked the boss:
"How many for lunch ?"
"It will be 5 dollars !"said the boss .
The young soldier looked in his wallet and came out only 3,50 dollars .
"You don't do credit,I guess",he said sheepishly .
"Well,soldier,exclaimed the boss,it would be gladly but ...apparently you are leaving for the front...So..." .
The young man smiled bitterly .He hated the irony of the diner tenant whose cheerful look disappeared for him .
"I'll pay the difference !"Mr thompson said by throwing some coin on the counter .
"Thank you",the young soldier said politely.
"Oh,you are welcome !Mr Thompson smiled . I didn't like his humor either ... Tell me,boy,do you have time for a coffee? I offer you !Just to taunt this little idiot !" He threw a nod to the boss .
"Why not ?" The young soldier seat near Mr Thompson .He savored his black coffee,while the old man was telling him the same story he head from the mouth of the bright young waitress,a few minutes earlier .He could realize the desperation in his voice tinged he pronounced the name of his son that he may never see again .He felt moved,touched,and suddenly,he didn't know how,he launched into a story ... .
Emma fussed behind the bar,but she couldn't help lend her ear to the words of the handsome soldier . She understand he told the misadventures of a friend,a soldier in the marines,a certain "Huckleberry" whose unit had to patrol the jungle three weeks longer than planned . No news,his family thought he was dead,but he was returned home at the same time that the letters he had sent to his parents during his absence !
Emma couldn't help to smile listening Mr Thompson's comments,she saw him regain some observed more closely the young soldier and his imposing stature,his laughter communicator,mania he had to run his fingers in his hair when he seemed embarrassed... Emma couldn't explain the sensation she felt when she look at him,but it give her the impression to have butterflies fluttered in her stomach ,and it was nice !
Mr Thompson finally took leave of the young soldier . He had to return to the farm,couldn't leave alone for too long his daughter-in-law and his grandson,and had to take care of the animals .He thanked the young man with a firm hand shake and a smile greeted Emma . Then,as the door closed,she walked slowly to the handsome soldier who was about to grab his bag and to leave . She leaned lightly on the counter.
"Thank you",she whispered .
"Oh...!he smiled a casual tone. You know,hope is sometime the only thing to help someone ..."
Emma smiled back,surprised that he quoted her ."I think I owe you apologies,she said .I...I was so ..well,so unfair with you at the time ...I take back everything I said ..."
"Well...glad to hear it !"
"You did very well with Mr Thompson ..."
"Yeah... Not bad for a little chickenshit of the administration ..."
Emma looked embarrassed ."I shouldn't have say it,she sighed . I'm sorry ..."
"Um...,he said smirking ...Oh don't be ...I guess I have to be upset ..."
Emma blushed a little more ;
"...If I had been in the administration of the army...",he want on,leaving a laugh escaped .
He explained that while he was currently in a military training camp in California,and had been incorporated,like many others in the army there was almost three months .Soon completed his classes,he was sure he will soon be sent to the front .
"Oh...,Emma said,when you go away ?"
"I don't know,he confessed . I don't even know if we will be sent to Europe or to the Pacific ...The others are raring to go!"
"And no you?"Emma inquired .
Her voice sounded like a mixture of surprise and satisfaction . She knew that many young men,almost boys,still were eager to go to war,like Jim Thompson or Dick Carter,the son of her grandmother's neighbors,who had rushed to engage .She didn't denounced the fact that it is undoubtedly noble to want to defend his homeland,but she didn't understand this passion to want to fight in a distant land,be injured,perhaps dying . But HIM wasn't like that,she could feel it . He didn't think he needed to fight to prove he is a man . And it still made him more handsome for her .
"No,not me,he said turning his head from side to side as if to check if nobody was watching .To be honest I would have gladly torn the letter of incorporation ." He gave her playful smile and Emma understood he would never have done that,even if he was frustrated by the war,he wasn't man to shirk his duty .
"Oh,yes!she exclaimed,played his game .But would have thought that your friend uh...Huckleberry ?"
"No much,I'm afraid!"
"But...why ?"The young girl was suddenly worried knowing that the return to war is difficult for many soldiers ."Is he okay? What is he doing now ?"
"Oh,he's fine...,he smiled again .At this point he must surely be fishing on raft with his friend Tom !"
Emma give him a suspicious look,not understanding what's his point .
"I don't understand",she said while he smiled with the same mischevious,his brown eyes shining .
"...In fact, he began taking a mysterious tone,...there is no Huckleberry friend who was in the marines...Well there is a Huckleberry but...well,it is a name that I picked randomly in a novel by Mark Twain that I read when I was kid..."
"Tom Sawyer"Emma finished,gently nodded,her big blue eyes wide open ."But,then,and Mr Thompson...why...?"
"Well...I did as you told me,he explained ran a hand over his hair . I gave him the hope ."
Emma didn't know whether to be offended or laugh for his originality .He had maybe lied to Mr Thompson,but the main thing was the old man had regained some energy and hope .And who knows,maybe Jim would soon give his news . She hoped with all her heart .
"Thank you",she said in a soft and grateful smile,not knowing if she could contain her emotion that gripped her voice.
"There was really nothing!he exclaimed sincerely .Really ,it was my pleasure ! He is a brave man,it shows!...He make me think to my uncle,he has a house in the eastern part of the city..." He was interupted by the hoarse voice of the boss who threw Emma:"We need you in the kitchen !"His eyes fell on the clock hanging wall behind the counter.
"Already almost 3:00...!he said annoyed,by catching his bag. I'll have to go ..."
"Oh...Well..." she said disappointed and saddened that he have already to go without knowing whether she will have the luck to know him better . "Is...is there I will see you before you leave?"she asked .
"Um...Yeah ! he said.I've got few days on leave...and we eat very well here!Despite the endless chatter of the waitress!" He had resumed his mischievous smile and walked away backwards.
"Well...goodbye,so...Emma...!"he threw ascending to push the door of the diner . He noticed her questionning look . "This is what is written on your badge..."he stessed .
"Oh...,she said. Yes...Emma Riley !"She felt ashamed,but she didn't know if it was embarrassment or because she was delighted to see that ,perhaps,it meant she hadn't reamain him indifferent .
"And you ...?"she asked,curious to know his name,at last .
"This is Darrel..."he said. Darrel Shayne Curtis ..."
"So...see you tomorrow perhaps,Darrel..."she smiled .
"...See you tomorrow!"He gave her a smile and disappeared behind the door ,making her to dream .
Emma didn't know how long they would be granted before his departure,she didn't know whether her attraction for him was mutual. It was the first time she felt such a feeling .She felt dizzy,she felt drunk,more butterflies whirled in her stomach. She knew he was leaving,he would risk his life in distant and dangerous places,but a soft certainty told her that him,Darrel Shayne Curtis,will be part of her life ,he would one day be her husband,and maybe the father of their many children... .
Thank to Goosey0527smt,VoicesOffCamera,free as a bird 98,iwatchsunset2,Rye Winston and all others for their help and their support .