Boston.

Donny sat in Mrs. Himmelstein's apartment just a week before being shipped out. He had received his papers and learned he had been drafted. Knowing about the war in Germany, Donny was furious that he had to go to the Philippines to fight the Japanese. All ready all the news was talking about was how the Jews were getting killed in Germany. Donny knew the moment he set foot off that plane, he wasn't fighting going to get the Japs, he was going to find revenge for the Jews.

Donny had just asked if there was anyone overseas that Mrs. Himmelstein was worried about. Both were in her parlor sipping tea before she asked why he would ask such a personal question.

"Because I'm going to Europe. And I'm gonna make it right."

"And just how do you intend to do that?"

Donny reached down and picked up his baseball bat. The same bat Abby had given him.

"With this."

"And what exactly do you intend to do with that toy?"

"I'm gonna beat every Nazi I find to death with it."

Mrs. Himmelstein took another sip of her tea before eyeing him.

"I thought we were having tea."

Donny set the bat down across his lap before taking a sip of the tea that sat on the small china saucer.

"And in this pursuit, how is it that I can be of service?"

"I'm going through the neighborhood. If you have any loved ones in Europe whose safety you fear for, I'd like you to write their names on my bat."

Mrs. Himmelstein stared at him before smiling.

"You must be a real basterd, Donny."

"You bet your sweet ass I am."

"Hand me your sword, Gideon. I do believe I will join you on this journey."

Donny handed her his bat, along with the old fashion fountain pen. Beginning to crave the name 'Madeleine.' Into it.

Handing it back, Donny looked at the name closely. He had all ready gathered thirty or so names onto it all ready. He planned on gathering much more.

One week later.

Standing at the train station, dressed in his newly fitted uniform, Donny said goodbye to his family as at least fixity or so other young men did the same. Donny's mother was weeping, as she had done the moment he received his letter stating he was being called by the United States Government. Wrapping her arms around him tightly, she cried against his chest begging him to be careful.

Donny felt slightly embarrassed, but promised her he would. Pulling away, he smiled down at her old crying face and kissed her on the cheek. Even though he would never forgive her for driving Abby again, she was still his mother and he loved her deeply.

Moving down the line, he looked at Tony who really seemed confused about the entire thing. Tapping him a wink he ruffled his brother's hair.

"Take care of mom for me okay buddy?"

Tony nodded before Donny faced his father, who was dressed in his best Sunday suit.

"Well son, you're off to do good. I can feel it."

He shook his son's hand before bringing him in for a hug.

"Take care of yourself Donny."

He whispered in his ear. Donny nodded before pulling back; looking at his father's sad old eyes he had the strangest feeling. His father looked at him and right away he had a feeling he was never going to see him again. Trying to smile, he looked at his family before hearing the train whistle. His mother burst into fresh tears as Donny glanced over and saw the men beginning to load on.

Many of them were kissing their wife's, girlfriend's and sweethearts goodbye. Feeling a heavy weight in his chest he remembered his nearly two year search in Maine before finding all loose ends. Giving up, he returned to Boston knowing he would never be able to find Abby again. Hurt, and depressed he moved on but hadn't looked at another woman since.

He dreamed of her nearly every night, and always woke up alone.

Feeling his bat poke out from the pack he was wearing, he sighed before saying his final goodbye. Getting on the train, he waved one last time before it began to slowly move away.

This was the last time Donny ever saw his family.

Texas.

"Abby…I have to go."

Wicki said as Abby wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, her face buried against his uniform as she cried. Usually she never made such a scene, and hated crying in front of anyone. But today she couldn't help it.

"It isn't fair."

She said, her voice croaked before her words broke off. Wicki sighed, watching the others who had all ready gotten onto Bill's truck and piled into the back. Bill was driving them to the airport where they were being shipped off. At the moment, none of them were exactly clear on where they were being stationed. Wicki had promised to write Abby as soon as they got settled.

Wicki nuzzled Abby's neck, smelling the faint scent of flowered and cider. Feeling horrible, he gently rubbed her back before kissing the top of her head.

"I'll come back. I promise."

Abby pulled back slightly, her eyes raw from crying.

"Please…don't go."

Wicki smiled, dancing his fingertips across her face.

"When I come back, can you do me a favor?"

Abby looked confused before sniffling in.

"What?"

"Could you be my wife?"

Abby tried not to cry, batting on her bottom lip she buried her head against his chest again and Wicki smiled. Kissing her ear, he looked up at the clear blue sky before hearing Bill honk the horn. Looking over he nodded before lifting Abby's chin with his hand.

He studied her eyes closely before smiling.

"I love you."

Abby looked over his uniform before fixing his collar. Sighing, she stared at him. Wicki wiped her tears away before he kissed her one last time.

"Will you wait for me?"

Abby nodded.

"I will. I promise."

Wicki smiled before kissing her forehead.

"Au revoir mon amour."

Abby held back her tears before nodding.

"Au revoir."

Letting go, Wicki turned and ran to the truck. Jumping into the back, he watched her as the truck pulled away. Her friends waved, and she stood there with her arms crossed. Gladys, Bill's housekeeper standing beside her.

Everyone else had left.

Watching Wicki until the truck disappeared out of sight she burst into tears. Gladys gathered her up in her arms and held her.

"Oh honey, it's okay. He'll be fine."

Abby looked at empty road and felt horrible. Sighing, her heart ached.

One year later.

Abby found herself somewhere in the middle of the woods. It wasn't anywhere near home, in fact these woods seemed darker, colder. She was wandering around, lost and scared before she heard her voice.

"Abby?"

Turning he saw Wicki standing against a tree and smoking a cigarette. He was dressed in a handsome gray uniform that looked to be like the ones that the Germans were wearing overseas. His hat was off, but he held it in one of his hands. Smoking his cigarette, he cocked his head to the side and stared at her.

Abby smiled, relieved to see him. That horrible weight that had replaced her heart had suddenly disappeared. As she began to walk over she froze in her tracks when she looked at him closely.

His uniform had blood on it.

There were at least several horrible blown open bullet holes along his chest. The cloth around the uniform was torn and an ugly stained brown red. Looking at him she was speechless.

That's when she heard her name called again, this time much deeper. A horrible ugly sound that sounded like a monster. Just then a ugly horrible burnt rotting smell filled her noise. The smell of burnt meat. Turning, she felt something cold touch her.

Turning, she screamed.

A burnt ugly skeleton that was charred black. It stood there, almost grinning.

"Hello Abby."

It's voice choked. Abby's eyes widened, and before she could let out a scream…

She woke up.

Sitting up in bed, she clutched her chest and found her heart racing. Taking a second, she finally woke up completely and found herself in her small bedroom. Ever since the war started, Bill allowed Abby to now stay in the house. He had plenty of guest rooms, and now the few workers that were still there all lived together.

There was Jeffery, Fred, Lucy, Nancy, and Heidi.

The men who stayed on weren't allowed to be drafted. Jeffery was born with weak lungs, and mainly worked the tractor. Fred had a bad leg, but really seemed to pull his weight around the farm and worked twice as hard. Lucy, and Nancy had worked on the farm before and now that their boyfriends and husbands were away they came back.

Heidi…that was a different story.

Heidi returned almost a year ago with the horrible story that Ginger had been killed. Both had been living in Georgia when Heidi heard screams behind a pub. Running, she saw a group of men beat and rape Ginger. By the time she found a policeman she was dead. Heidi didn't have anywhere else to go so she came back ashamed.

Heidi did her usual work, but Abby knew Bill never much liked her. But being the kind man he was, he let her in making her promise she would stop whoring and do honest work.

By then Abby had been waiting every day for a letter from Wicki. Bill told her it took times for men to write their women and that she had to be patient.

But Abby couldn't. In their time together on the farm, she had fallen head over heels in love with Wicki. Every night since he left, she would lay awake in bed praying that he was okay. All she wanted was to have him back again.

Heidi came, and one day working in the barn with her she took a cigarette out and began to smoke it. Staring at her, she smiled.

"So I hear you and in German became an item huh?"

Abby looked up, lost in her own thoughts.

"Huh?"

"You and the German. It's true isn't it?"

Abby nodded, trying to focus on her work.

"Yes…"

Heidi snorted, laughing a little before shaking her head. Walking away, Heidi left the barn. Abby watched her completely puzzled, not understanding why she found that so funny.

Time past and soon Heidi noticed how eager Abby was getting whenever the mail came. Sometimes she would nearly tackle old Bill whenever his truck pulled up. One day finally, Bill began not feeling so well. Staying in most days, he claimed it was just the heat. The farm was run smoothly, with the few workers it had. Bill said once harvest came others who weren't involved in the war would come.

Heidi came to visit him one lazy afternoon and asked if she would walk into town each week to get the mail. Bill sat in his rocking chair, coughing before lighting his pipe.

"What for?"

Heidi shrugged.

"Just a chance to get out. Besides you don't look as though you're up to it."

Bill looked at her closely.

"You ain't going to town to whore are you?"

Heidi laughed.

"Of course not. I just thought it would help."

Bill stared at her for a moment before nodding.

"Fine, you collect the mail now."

Smiling, Heidi thanked him.

The first time she went to the post office, she found a letter addressed to Abby. The envelope was small, but it said just Abby's name along with the farm's address. Heidi grinned, stuffing the rest of her mail in her purse. Holding the letter up to the light she grinned before ripping it open as she left.

Holding it in her hands she read quickly. Her reading wasn't the best, but she roughly understood what it was. Grinning, she looked around at what was beginning to be a dried up old town. The letter was from Wicki.

Smiling, she crumbled up the letter before throwing it in one of the trash tins.

Walking back to the farm, she couldn't help but find herself holding back from smiling when Abby raced to the front gate and asked if there was anything for her. Heidi shrugged.

"Nope, sorry."

Abby's face dropped.

"Nothing?"

"Sorry hon. Maybe next month…"

Sighing, Abby stood back, thinking he should have written all ready. Crossing her arms, she sighed before walking with Heidi to the house.

Within the year, Heidi threw away five letters from Wicki. Abby never got any of them.

Harvest came and went and just as Bill said, others came and went. Before winter, Abby had fallen into a horrible depression. She had lost weight, and no longer had interest in baseball, music, or even really talking. Instead whenever she wasn't working she would just sit in Bill's parlor and talk with him by the fire.

He was worried about his son, and she was worried about Wicki.

Soon she began taking care of Bill as he got worse.

Heidi watched, not being able to stand it. She overheard Abby talking with Bill about her nightmares. How she was unable to sleep, and how she was almost certain something had happened. Sometimes, even in private, Heidi could hear from crying from her bedroom.

She was disgusted and wanted this to end. Heading to the post office one day, she found three letters, from the U.S government. Raising an eyebrow, she opened them and froze.

Jud, Jimmy, and Dan had been killed in action. Quickly, she searched for a forth letter.

There was nothing.

That meant Wicki was still alive. Sighing, she then eyed the young post office master's son. He hadn't been drafted because he was a little thing with a bum leg. He often tried to flirt with Heidi whenever she came in and nervously chuckled whenever she humored him and leaned over the counter so he could see her cleavage.

That's when she got an idea.

Maybe this would finally put a stop to Abby feeling sorry for herself. Smiling, she turned and batted her eyelashes at him.

"Say John….have I ever said how handsome you look?"

John grinned before chuckling.

A half an hour later, after John very unsuccessfully tried to do her behind the post office, both walked back in sweating as John looked at her in complete awe. Heidi fanned herself before she laid the letters down on the counter.

"Now…you have a typewriter. And only the envelopes have the U.S seal on them. I'm sure of you looked at these you could type up the same exact letter but put another man's name on it."

John gulped.

"I don't think I can…"

Heidi put her hands on her hips.

"Well, I guess I'll have to tell your mother that you just tried to make love to a whore."

All color drained out of John's face as Heidi pointed to the letters again smiling.

Later that afternoon.

Bill sat in his rocking chair, coughing and smoking his pipe while Abby sat by his feet sewing a pair of slacks that Fred had brought in after finishing up in the barn. It was a peaceful afternoon and music played softly from the radio.

Just then Heidi came in, her face blank of emotion.

Bill and Abby looked up as Heidi walked in, the four letters in her hands. Abby stared up, counfused until Heidi handed her them.

"Their dead Abby. Their all dead."

Her voice sounded flat as Abby slowly took the letters, still not knowing completely what Heidi was talking about. Taking them she looked them over quickly before she stopped at Wicki's name.

Cpl. Wilhelm Wicki was killed in action in Paris France October 17th 1940

Everything went numb. Standing there she held the letter with a loose grip before vomit traveled up her throat. Turning, she threw up all over Bill's throw rug. Bill jumped out of his chair as fast as he could and knelt down to her.

Heidi watched, amused.

She thought having him killed in Paris France would be a nice tough. Maybe then Abby's dream city wouldn't seem so romantic anymore.

Bill rubbed Abby's back as she threw again, this time bursting into tears. Heidi watched, bending down before picking up the letters.

The thought had of course came to her that Wicki may return perfectly fine. Everyone could be confused over the letter stating his death but nobody would ever blame her. They would just look at as a mix up from the government. But Heidi never thought that far ahead. More than likely of the other men were dead Wicki wouldn't live out the war. In her eyes she wasn't being cruel, she thought it was a good life lesson for Abby. Life didn't always end well. Maybe then she would come to her senses and maybe go somewhere with her to whore again. Abby always was the one who brought in the big spenders.

Besides, she hated seeing her happy.

Bill helped turn Abby over, who was wiping her mouth. Unable to catch her breath she stared up at Bill shaking before bursting into tears.

"It's okay honey…"

Bill said holding her.

Heidi placed the letters down on Bill's coffee table before walking over to the throw rug and rolling it up.

"I'll see if this comes out."

She said, holding back from laughing. Bill glared at her before holding Abby, and trying his hardest to smooth her.

"Shhhh, it's okay."

Abby lowered her head and cried.

One year later 1941.

"Eyes forward!"

Donny yelled, standing up straight with his hands behind his back. Seven soldiers right away lined up quickly like statues and froze. They were in order of height, which really was easy since after Wicki the Austrian Jew everyone else was 5'8 and under. They were briefing before finally being dropped into France. After two whole years in the military, the government finally decided these were the men that needed to be in their secret renegade team. Donny, who was now a sergeant had taken his position seriously. At first there were rumors due to his gorilla like torture methods that he might not to sane enough to stay in the ranks. But after Lt. Aldo Raine met him with a grin and a firm handshake he said he liked Donny. That's exactly what they needed in this team…

Someone crazy.

Donny had been brief earlier and knew exactly what was in store for them. Standing there on that overcast gray September morning, he stared at the other young Jewish soldiers and truly wondered if they had to it took. In Donny's eyes…this meant being insane.

Aldo appared.

"My name is Lt. Aldo Raine and I'm putting together a special team, and I need me eight soldiers. Eight Jewish-American soldiers. Now, y'all might've heard rumors about the armada happening soon. Well, we'll be leaving a little earlier. We're gonna be dropped into France, dressed as civilians. And once we're in enemy territory, as a bushwhackin' guerrilla army, we're gonna be doin' one thing and one thing only... killin' Nazis. Now, I don't know about y'all, but I sure as hell didn't come down from the goddamn Smoky Mountains, cross five thousand miles of water, fight my way through half of Sicily and jump out of a fuckin' air-o-plane to teach the Nazis lessons in humanity. Nazi ain't got no humanity. They're the foot soldiers of a Jew-hatin', mass murderin' maniac and they need to be dee-stroyed. That's why any and every every son of a bitch we find wearin' a Nazi uniform, they're gonna die. Now, I'm the direct descendant of the mountain man Jim Bridger. That means I got a little Injun in me. And our battle plan will be that of an Apache resistance. We will be cruel to the Germans, and through our cruelty they will know who we are. And they will find the evidence of our cruelty in the disemboweled, dismembered, and disfigured bodies of their brothers we leave behind us. And the German won't not be able to help themselves but to imagine the cruelty their brothers endured at our hands, and our boot heels, and the edge of our knives. And the German will be sickened by us, and the German will talk about us, and the German will fear us. And when the German closes their eyes at night and they're tortured by their subconscious for the evil they have done, it will be with thoughts of us they are tortured with. Sound good?"

"YES SIR!"

"That's what I like to hear. But I got a word of warning for all you would-be warriors. When you join my command, you take on debit. A debit you owe me personally. Each and every man under my command owes me one hundred Nazi scalps. And I want my scalps. And all y'all will git me one hundred Nazi scalps, taken from the heads of one hundred dead Nazis. Or you will die tryin'."

Donny found himself smiling, knowing his lucky baseball bat would be in full swing this season.

One month later.

In Germany, The Bastards had all ready become well known. With nearly one hundred dead Nazis under their belt, it seemed as though their tactics had really gotten them noticed.

It also didn't hurt that they now had Hugo Stiglitz on their side as well.

Today, on this chilly October afternoon The Bastards had ambushed a team of Germans in a little trench back in the forest that they mainly stuck to. The ditch was near some old tunnels that now were deserted and filled with dried up leafs and animals.

Donny, still sweating from beating his 54th German office to death with his bat, knelt beside Aldo, watching as he carved a swastika into the young German's forehead. Usually they kicked, screamed, struggled, or cried. This time the German was so terrified after watching Donny, he stayed silent while his hands gripped chunks of grass and snapped his eyes shut. Blood trickled down the young man's face, before Aldo raised his huge buck knife and stared down at his handiwork. Donny looked down as well, sweat dripping off his face and clinging to his bangs that seemed plastered to his face.

Despite the chill in the air, Donny felt as though it was a million degrees outside. His heart still pounding in his chest, he looked down and smiled.

"You know, Lieutenant, you're getting pretty good at that."

Aldo stared down at the young German as well.

"You know how you get to Carnegie Hall, doncha? Practice."

Donny and Aldo grinned before Stiglitz came to collect the young German and send him on his way. Both standing, Donny put his hands on his hips and watched amused as Stiglitz dragged the young solider away by his collar. Turning, he saw the others spread around the trench, taking whatever was worth of value off the dead soldiers and collecting their scalps. It was a chilly day and leafs blew in the air.

Walking up the hill a bit, Donny took his blood stained baseball bat and stopped before seeing Wicki.

He sat there, his scalps hanging from his belt and his hands stained red from the blood. He sat there having a cigarette and looking out at the rest of the small valley they now stood in. Donny walked over, he liked Wicki. Even though they had been in the team together for less than a month now both Aldo and him agreed that Wicki was one of their best men alongside Stiglitz. He was a smart fighter, brutal, and every educated. He usually was their translator since Stiglitz didn't know English very well. Wicki usually went undercover for them and had successfully done so for them twice all ready. He had knowledge of the Germans and had respect for exactly what he was fighting for.

He was German born, but left for America right when things began going to shit. He became American, said to have worked around a bit before getting drafted. Besides that he didn't know anything else.

He liked Wicki, he trusted him.

"Hey man."

Donny put his bat against his shoulder as he walked over. Wicki looked up.

"Hi Donny. Would you like a smoke?"

His rich smoky sounding voice asked.

Donny shook his head.

"I get sick as a dog whenever I smoke those. Last time I tried one I was twelve and almost puked."

Wicki smiled before stubbing his out.

"It's a nasty habit. But if you don't have whiskey, I guess it's all that's going to do."

Donny laughed before Wicki pointed to his bat.

"Good work with that today."

Donny grinned, proudly swinging the bat in the air, making the air thinly whistle.

"Yeah, she's my good luck charm."

"Fan of baseball?"

He asked. Donny nodded.

"Hell yeah. I think that's the only reason why I hate being overseas. Got no way to tell how the Sox are doing."

Wicki smiled.

"My girlfriend back home is a baseball fan. I think we listened to a few of their games on the radio once or twice. The signal wasn't that good though."

Donny looked surprised.

"Really? You're woman is a baseball fan huh? You ever play?"

Wicki shrugged.

"Once are twice back home. A couple of us would get together but that was it."

"Well one day when we're not looking over our shoulders every two seconds we'll have to get a game going. I know Aldo is pretty good."

Wicki smiled, rubbing his stubble covered chin.

"That sounds good. I'm sure we'll in for a few laughs."

Donny smiled before swinging his bat.

"Yeah it will…"

He looked at his bat and sighed, remembering Abby. Even though it was going on five years since she left, he could still see her face perfectly. He hated the way things turned out. He wished she was back home in Boston waiting for him. Somehow he thought that might make things not seem so numb and distant. Sighing, he had to remind himself that they had only known each other for a couple of days. That she was a whore, and had left.

A whore he wanted to marry…

He sighed again before looking down at a very puzzled Wicki.

"You okay?"

Donny nodded, blinking for a second. It was almost time for them to move on.

"Yeah, just thinking about old memories…girl I knew."

"You're girlfriend?"

Donny shook his head.

"Not really. We didn't know each other that long, but she sure was special. Gave me this very bat."

He showed Wicki the bat who nodded.

"She must of meant a lot to you."

Donny hated sharing his feelings, most of all now. Shrugging, he put the bat over his shoulders again.

"Yeah kinda, but like I said it was a long time ago…"

Wicki looked at him.

"You miss home?"

"Some things, not a whole lot. You?"

Wicki smiled, taking another cigarette from his pack.

"Just my girlfriend. I'm planning on proposing the second I get back."

Donny smiled, partly jealous. Besides his family he didn't have anyone else to go back to.

"That's nice Wicki. She must be some lady."

Wicki smiled, thinking.

"Yeah she is…"

"American?"

Wicki nodded.

"I've been writing her but my last letter before we came to France was telling her I couldn't write anymore. You heard what Aldo said about there not being any contact. I feel horrible just leaving it like that but I promised her once this was all over I would take her over to Paris myself."

"She wanted to go?"

Wicki nodded.

"She's big on dancing, always dreamt of going to Paris. I was teaching her French before I got drafted."

"I could see that Wicki, you knowing about ten million different languages."

Wicki laughed before Aldo called out for them to gather around. Throwing his cigarette to the side, Wicki got himself up and dusted off his slacks. Donny nodded before following, his bat up against his shoulder as he walked.

Both not knowing that they were just talking about the same exact girl.

Texas.

"Abby, come here. I need to talk with you."

Abby, dressed in a black sundress, and dirty sweater vest walked over to Bill who was laying in his bed. Holding a tray with his medicine and tea, she carefully placed it on his nightstand. It was a cold winter's day and snow was gently falling from the sky.

Bill had gotten much worse this past year. Just this month, America had been attacked by the Japs. Bill's only son had been killed at Pearl Harbor. The news crushed him and Abby feared he wouldn't live to see the new year in.

Heidi had taken off two months ago, stealing some of Bill's money and leaving a letter to Abby that she should get over herself and meet up with her in New York. Abby felt sick to her stomach when she read this, and barley felt the farm house at all.

Due to the attacks in America, barley any mail came. Having no hope at all, Abby worked the months away with the few workers who remained and now looked like an empty shell of herself. She had lost at least forty pounds, her hair was shaggy but still short. She worked herself to the bone most days, and nearly got frostbite a few weeks ago.

She now mainly took care of Bill, he was grieving and barley able to get out of bed. Abby helped him simply because she looked at his old man as if he was her father. He had been good to her and had helped her when she received the letter that Wicki had been killed.

Ever since that letter came, Abby was losing her will to live.

She barley slept without having the same nightmares. She never laughed, or talked much other than with Bill. She mostly just sat with him, listening to the radio and the news casts before falling asleep by the fire.

Always whenever she woke up, hoping it was all just a bad dream and Wicki would be there when she woke. She was lonely, and didn't think she could go on much longer. Brushing her hair out of her eyes she silently sat on the edge of Bill's bed. The old man who haggard, and frail. His son's death had been a lot on him, and Abby could clearly see how that he wasn't going to make it.

Bill's old boney hand reached out and touched her arm.

"In my closet, the package…take it out and bring it to me."

Abby nodded, getting up and crossing to the closet. Taking the brown paper package out, she carried it to the bed and sat down. The package was tied with string.

"Open it."

Bill said before coughing. Looking down at the package, Abby's thin fingertips slowly tore open the paper, letting pieces drift to the side. Confused at first, she lifted the contents out of the package, there were two things.

One was a short brown leather fighter pilot jacket. An eagle stitched onto its sleeve. Looking at the other item that had fallen beside her, she picked up a pair of mirrored aviator glasses.

"They were my sons. Him being gone now, and me on my way out I wanted you to have them."

Abby looked at Bill, shaking her head.

"Oh Bill I couldn't…"

Bill waved his hand weakly.

"I know they ain't things a lady would wear, but you've always been kinda different. I'm sure my son would like knowing a fine woman like you had them."

Abby smiled, slowly feeling the leather sleeves.

"Thank-you Bill…"

"I'm gonna leave you something else. You don't need to take it, but I'm offering it anyways. With my son gone I don't have any more family. I meant it when I told you I thought of all of you guys as my children. Abby you're the only one who stuck it through and has been by my side the entire time. I know you're little heart is broken over Wicki, but you're strong…and I like that. You and the others have done a fine job with my land, and now that I'm going up to the big pearly gates I wanted to make sure you took it over."

Abby just stared at him speechless. Finally she broke the silence.

"What?"

Bill nodded.

"I don't want no argument, but if you honestly don't want it I'll understand. It's yours, the house, the land, everything. I had Mr. Anderson down at the bank change all my accounts into your name. Now Fred and Jeffery have been left a little something and their more than happy. They wanted me to ask you if you were willing to keep them on along with Nancy and Lucy. They have been around for a while and their your friends so it's up to you."

"Bill…I can't…"

Bill stared at her, cocking his head to the side slightly. Right away Abby thought of Wicki and how he would do the same exact thing whenever he was looking at her closely. Sighing, she stared down at the jacket and glasses, holding back tears.

"I love this place, it's the only home I got."

"Then you'll take it over for me?"

Abby wiped her eyes before nodding.

"Yes…I will."

Bill smiled before patting her hand.

"That's a good girl."

"But can I do something first Bill. As long as it's all right?"

"Sure, what is it."

Abby took a deep breath.

"I want to go to France for a few months."

Bill looked at her.

"With the war going on?"

Abby sighed.

"I've saved up my money and I'm sure I'll be okay. Just a month or so. I need time to clear my head."

"You're not looking for Wicki are you hon? You know as well as I do that he's dead."

"I know…"

She said slowly.

"I just…I need to go there. Maybe I'll feel something since that's the last place he was. He talked about taking me so much I think it might help me move on if I really see it."

Bill nodded.

"I understand. You go on honey. Fred and Jeffery can hold the place down while you're gone. Take all the time you need. If I wasn't dying here I would go to Pearl Harbor myself, see the damage and maybe get some closure. I think that's what you need. Go on, this place will be waiting for you when you get back."

Nodding, Abby touched the jacket again before one silent tear rolled down her face.

That night Bill passed away.

The next morning she began making plans to go to France. Bill had been right. She needed closure.

A week later, after all the arrangements were made she took a train to the coast where she would board a ship to go overseas. Hardly anyone was there due to the risk since the war had started. Sighing, she closed her eyes and tried to think of Wicki.

"Just a few months…"

She muttered to herself. Having no idea what she would find.