Today was my 18th birthday and I was planning on doing everything I could to get myself enlisted. There's a war going on and we need all the help we can get. I feel I can be helpful and of use over there in Germany, or wherever needs me most. Even Michael says so, he's been encouraging me more about enlisting and joining him in the fight. Even recommended me to be used as a spy since I was so good at decoding and coding messages.
Walking briskly through the streets of New York I made my way to the enlistment center. We had come here within the last year, it was temporary my parents said. Just until the war was over. While it is nice here in America, I do miss home.
Before entering through the doors I stopped for a moment and adjusted my clothing to make sure they fell correctly and weren't messy.
Confidently I strode in and walked right up to the desk, it was early enough that I was luckily the only person besides the doctors and others working.
"I would like to enlist please."
The doctor sitting there looks me up and down, "You're a girl." he says with disbelief, looking almost incredulous, you would think he'd never seen a girl before.
"Yes, now if you please I would like to enlist." I repeat myself, gritting my teeth.
He's staring at me like I'm an idiot and I want to hit him. And then he's laughing in my face and I want to hit him even more, "You-want to-enlist?! That's-the-funn-iest th-ing I've he-ard all day!"
I feel myself heat up from anger. "Who do you think you are? I have every right to enlist; to help fight this war. The same right as you, or anybody else has!" I tell him, keeping my voice smooth. I'm used to this kind of treatment from men.
"Well hello there young lady." a distinguishably german voice calls out from off to my left and I turn to see another doctor.
"Hello." I greet politely while feeling wary, unsure if he's about to laugh at me too.
"So, you want to enlist?" He seems curious, almost like he's entertaining the idea of me actually enlisting.
"Yes, I do." I feel like I'm standing straighter and I hold my chin high.
He looks at me for a moment, scrutinizing me. "What is your name miss?"
I clear my throat, "Peggy, well Margaret, Carter." I make sure to pronounce my special nickname with clarity. I pause for the slightest moment, "Peggy is just a nick-name."
"Hello Miss Carter, I am Dr. Erksine. Please, come with me."
Immediately I pick up my briefcase and follow after tipping my tan brimmed hat with a smirk on my bright red lips at the other doctor who is near gaping. My skirt swishing and heels clicking on the floor are the only noticeable sounds as we walk down the hall and into another room behind a curtain on the right side of the hall.
"Please take a seat Miss Carter." He says as he sits down at the small table in the make-shift exam room. I take the other chair across from him.
"Why do you want to enlist?"
"I feel like I can help, and I want to help fight. I've always wanted to help fight, ever since I was a little girl."
"There are so many healthy, fit, young men already enlisting. Why would you feel the need to enlist?"
"Sometimes the best person for a job is actually a woman. I can make clear decisions, I can fight, defend myself, speak multiple languages, and I am a skilled code-breaker." I try to highlight the most important things that I can do, hoping for a miracle and he'll help me pass through.
"You have heart. I'm looking for someone to help me start up something, I call it Project Rebirth. How would you feel about coming with me, I can't promise you'll get action, but I can promise you'll have a job. You would help keep things organized, and do anything else that might be needed. If things go your way who knows if you'll be allowed to do more, especially with your skill-set."
He pulls out the file for me, the one for my enlistment, and stamps something on it. "You're in, but for starters you'll be helping manage this group and train them properly. They may not take you seriously, but you have to show them how wrong they are." He hands me my enlistment papers, I can barely believe it. "You're from Britain so I'm going to send your paperwork through to British Intelligence. When you get back overseas you'll be given other assignments from them,likely from Colonel Phillips, I run Project Rebirth with him."
"Thank you Dr. Erksine." I breath out, still surprised.
"Prove me right Miss Carter." He pats my shoulder before leaving me alone.
I nearly jump in excitement before I compose myself. Can't show others that kind of display, save that for when I'm alone. Carefully I put the papers in my briefcase. I feel on top of the world. Just wait until Michael hears I've found a way in!
I leave with a smile on my face and tip my head at the young men who are just about to come in through the doors to enlist. I notice one boy, he's quite small though he looks determined. I offer him an encouraging smile, he's like me. I can tell. Like me, I'm sure he wants to do everything he can to help.
"Ma'am." he greets as he holds the door for me.
"Why thank you soldier."
"Why-I- I'm not a- soldier. Not yet anyway."
"You've tried before, have you?" I can see it in him, he's definately tried quite a few times.
"How can you tell." He whispers, his eyes widening in surprise.
"Just a hunch. But I'll tell you something, stay positive, stay strong, stay yourself. Keep at it and eventually you'll be able to make a difference the way you want to." With that I moved to stand on the other side out of the way.
"Good luck this time around soldier." I smile again before turning around and beginning to walk on my way home to begin packing.
"Thanks!" I hear him call, "Don't thank me yet." I call back over my shoulder, giving him one last look.
Soon I've made it home and that's when I realize I didn't get his name. "Crap." I mutter, "Can't believe I forgot to ask his name." Thankfully I'm outside and barely uttered the words so nobody really could have heard me.
Taking a deep breath I opened the front door and stopped in the foyer. "I'm home." I call out as I take my hat and hang it on the hook. Somehow I've managed to keep my army green suit set clean and straight on my walk home. Not out of place at all.
"Hello dearie." my mother called from her place in the kitchen.
"Where were you Maggie?" I exhale loudly, and take another deep breath before walking into the breakfast room. I set my case on the floor next to my chair as I take a seat. "I was out and about in town." I say lightly.
"Out and about?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Oh let her be, she's a teenage girl. She's probably been out with some boy." my mother gives me a suggestive look which I'm going to pretend I didn't see.
"Well, if you don't mind. I'm awfully tired, I think I'm going to retire a bit early to bed." I stand up and pick up my briefcase.
"All right." my father sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose.
"Thank you father. Have a splendid evening mother, goodnight." I quickly plant a kiss on each of my parents cheeks before scurrying to my room.
As quietly as I can I pack up a secret bag full of the army uniforms I'd manage to buy. They consisted of white shirts, green pencil skirts and matching blazer jackets. My combat laced boots and durable pants and shirts went in as well.I'm grateful for the help and advice Michael gave me when i went to purchase clothing more suitable for the army, since they didn't have standard issue sets for women. I also put in my favorite red dress, heels, and brown bomber jacket just for luck I suppose. I buried it in the back of my closet until tomorrow afternoon when I would get myself on the bus and overseas.
