Together At Peace
Chapter 2
Lt. Eugene Holowachuk decided to talk to Elizabeth Cooper to see if he couldn't change her mind about leaving. It was crystal clear she was mad at Major MacGillis for some reason but it couldn't be that bad!
He said, "Wait. Why do you want to leave? What's wrong? "
Elizabeth swallowed hard. "Because the Major wants to adopt us girls and I already had a father! It would be like giving him up and I'm not going to do that!"
Eugene nodded and then said, "Here are my keys. Please, go to my car and wait for me. I've gotta get some stuff."
Elizabeth looked at him warily, "You're not gonna tell anyone about this, are you? "
Eugene shook his head. "No, but I can't leave the base without making it look like I went AWOL. I'll just let Gunny know that it's a family thing, okay? My family? "
Elizabeth nodded and went to the car and got in thinking about her dad and her current situation and said looking up, "Dad, I can't do this! I've tried for Mom and the girls but I just hate it here! This military bozo came in about a year ago and took Mom away from what we had and what we knew! I'm coming home, Dad! Maybe the people that bought our house would let me stay there or I'll stay with one of my friends, but Oceanside is my home! "
Eugene came back and Elizabeth wiped her eyes and cleared her throat. She said, "You got permission to leave?"
Eugene shook his head. "No. I still would have to go through procedure. Through the General, but Elizabeth I think Gunny knows what's going on-or she thinks she knows. Anyway, she told me to tell you that running away isn't the answer if that's your plan. I got an idea. Why don't we go get a pizza and talk some more? "
Elizabeth shook her head steaming inside! She was gonna go back somehow! She straightened suddenly and said nodding, "Yeah, okay. Let's go."
Eugene pulled into the pizza place and got out and when they got in Elizabeth said, "Hey, I'm gonna go to the restroom. Anything you get for us is fine- beer too if you want? "
Eugene smirked. "Nice try. A pie and two sodas. I'll be at a table in the back. "
Elizabeth smiled slightly. "Worth a shot. "
Eugene watched her go to the restroom and then went up to the counter to order. He got the food a few minutes later and went to the table.
While he waited he looked at the menu and saw a pizza with capers? Making a face he shook his head. Then he looked at his watch. It shouldn't take a girl this long. He went up to the counter and asked if one of the employees could check the ladies restroom because a friend was supposed to be in there and he was worried.
A few moments later, the woman employee came out and said, "No one's in there. Sorry. "
Eugene sighed. Damn! What was he going to do now? If he took off the MP's would be called out for him. But this is Major MacGillis' stepdaughter! If he didn't try to find her...
Quickly, he got on the pay phone. "Gunny, I got a problem..."
So, Eugene and Gunny went to the MacGillis home and talked to Polly and John telling them about Elizabeth. They were stunned and John said, "What did she say exactly, Lieutenant?! "
Eugene said, "She said she wanted to go home to her dad! I -I didn't know she would pull this, Major! She thinks no one gets how she's feeling. I'm sorry. I was trying to talk her out of running."
Polly said nodding, "It's all right Eugene. We don't blame you. Do we, John? "
John got on the phone with the General explaining the circumstances and he was granted leave. He then got off the phone and said, "Gunny, would you and the Lieutenant look out for Robin and Casey while we're gone? "
Gunny nodded. "Yes sir. We won't let you down. Good luck. "
He and Polly then got their bags packed and headed out checking train stations and the bus stations and the airport.
They got to the last bus station in town and Polly said, " She can't have gone far, John. I don't think she had enough money. "
John said, "Check your wallet just to be sure, hon. "
Polly looked inside her wallet and sure enough, there was a twenty missing. "Damn! She's never stolen from me before-! "
John shook his head saying, "Well, nothing's been as important to her 'til now. I mean, look. Her mom marries a total stranger the year after her dad passes. It's gotta be hurting her even though she was acting like everything was hunky dory-."
Polly looked at him strangely. "Hunky dory? "
John sighed. "Gotta stop listening to the other marines at chow time. "
Polly said, "John, maybe I should just fly to Oceanside and talk to her and bring her home. It's because of me she took off-."
But John shook his head. "No, honey. Ever since I brought up the adoption, she's been distant around me. I think I should go get her. "
Polly sighed. " I want us to both go but maybe you're right."
John said finally. "Okay, we both go but you stay at the hotel. She's probably heading for the cemetery when she gets there right? "
Polly swallowed hard and nodded saying, "I'm so sorry, John. She isn't being fair to you at all! I swear when I see her I'm gonna-. "
John held her and said quietly, "You're gonna hug her and tell her you're glad she's safe. Then we'll lower the boom on her, right? After she and I have our little pow-wow that is. Let's get to the airport. Then maybe by tomorrow, we can all be back here together..."
They got back to the car and headed for Dulles. John decided to keep this low-key within the family and take a domestic flight since it wasn't a military emergency.
He looked at Polly while he drove and wondered if she regretted marrying him at all.
Polly shook her head as they drove on the interstate towards the airport thinking about Elizabeth and Sandy, her late husband. She thought to herself, "Please, Sandy. Keep our little girl safe..."
TBC