Visit Four

Alfred breathed in the ocean air as strong winds pushed it into his face, blowing back his sandy blonde hair. He adjusted his glasses, staring off into the blue and green waves of the ocean. It was a beautiful, windy day.

In the distance, Alfred could see the Canadian ship slowly make its way over to the dock. He looked back at his men who were leaning up against crates, waiting to get the job finished. The ship arrived, and Alfred called out his usual order of "Let's get to work, guys!" and the men replied with the usual "Yes, boss!" or a nod of the head.

Everything about this day was usual. The ship arrived on time, there were so far no difficulties with loading the ship, the sea was calm, and he saw his twin brother standing on his ship. Matthew looked almost as if he was arguing with the captain about something.

Alfred yawned, rubbing sleep out of his sky blue eyes. He turned again in the direction of Matthew's ship, to see him descending it slowly… On crutches. Alfred jogged over to his brother, surprise filling him.

"Afternoon, Alfred." Matthew greeted, faking a happier tone in his tired voice.

"Afternoon." Alfred replied awkwardly. "What the hell happened?"

"What do you mean?" Matthew asked.

Alfred gave Matthew a wide eyed expression. "Why are you on crutches?"

"It's just my knee." Matthew mumbled.

"Your left one? Last I saw you, you had a slight limp, not on crutches."

"Alfred-"

Anger flooded Alfred. "Did Germany do this to you?" Alfred interrupted.

"Alfred-"

"How did this happen?"

"Alfred!" Matthew said quickly, bringing his twin's attention back. "Drop it."

"What?" Alfred exclaimed. "How can I just drop it? Who did this to you?"

"Just drop it." Matthew instructed.

"But-"

"I don't want to talk about the war right now." Matthew snapped.

Alfred stared at his brother. "Okay." He said. "You're right. You probably need to be thinking about something else anyway."

"Thank you."

"So," Alfred started, "how are you?"

Matthew looked at him. "I thought I told you to stop asking that the last time I was here."

"Are you any better?"

Matthew shook his head. "How are you?"

"Me?" Alfred asked.

A small smile tugged at Matthew's lips. "No, the other Alfred that you miss by a split second every time. Yes you."

Alfred smiled back. "I'm fine."

"You're in a depression." Matthew stated.

"Well, it's gotten much better since the New Deal started. This sounds horrible, but the war has helped some because of the profit we're making off of supplies. So it's getting better."

Matthew nodded. "That's good."

"Hey Mattie, can I ask you something?" Alfred wondered.

"Anything, Al." Matthew replied.

Alfred paused before speaking. "Why do you tell me to stay safe when we say our goodbyes?"

Matthew gave Alfred a confused expression. "Because I want you to stay safe."

"But I'm not in the war. I am safe."

"Anything could happen, Al."

A look of fear crossed Alfred's face. "Are you saying I could get pulled into the war?"

"Well, it's not impossible..." Matthew replied, looking away and to the ocean.

A cold shudder hit Alfred. Why did he always get a horrible feeling at the words? At even the thought of getting pulled into the war? Alfred shook his head. "Ah, with my government trying so hard to stay out of it, you don't have to worry, we won't get pulled into it." He said, trying to reassure both himself, and his brother.

Matthew gave Alfred a strange look, then turned back to the sea.

"But," Alfred began, "we're not talking about the war. We're going to talk about something else." Alfred stated, trying to make his voice sound cheerful.

"What else is there to talk about?" Matthew asked in monotone. "Everyone talks about it all the time."

"How was your trip over here?" Alfred asked, changing the subject.

Matthew took a long, deep breath. "Fairly well. How has your day been?"

Small talk. That's is what Alfred and his brother resort to. Small talk. "My day has been pretty good. Woke up a bit late, though."

"Not as late as last time?" Matthew teased.

Alfred shook his head. "No, not that late." Silence fell on the brothers. It seems that all they ever talked about on every visit was the war, and Matthew was right. No one can shut up about it, even in America, where there was no war. Alfred let out a long sigh, running his fingers through his dirty blonde hair.

"Do you have any questions about the war?" Matthew asked, knowing that the war was the only thing anyone talked about nowadays.

"You said that you don't want to talk about it." Alfred reminded his brother.

Matthew turned to Alfred. "Well, what else are we talking about? It's obvious that you have questions, so ask them."

"You said you don't want to talk about it."

"Go ahead and ask. I changed my mind."

Alfred sighed, closing his eyes. "What happened to your leg?" He said, reopening his blue eyes.

Matthew looked up to the sky, thinking. "I got shot in the calf. Right after that I got caught in the concussion of an explosion, and twisted up my knee."

"Damn." Alfred replied. "I'm sorry"

"Did you shoot me?" Matthew asked.

Alfred narrowed his eyebrows. "What?"

"Did you shoot me?"

"Uh," Alfred started, "no."

"Did you throw the grenade?" Matthew asked.

"No."

Matthew smiled. "Then it's not your fault."

"I'm being sympathetic." Alfred replied.

Matthew let out a short chuckle. "Thanks, Al. It appreciate it."

"No problem, Mattie." Alfred said, giving his brother a large smile.

"Sir Williams! We need to get going!" The captain called.

Matthew's eyes darkened at the words. "Coming." He mumbled.

"Are you well enough to go back?"

"I will be when I get there."

Alfred tilted his head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I'm a country, Al. I'll be healed by the time I get back." Matthew explained.

"Right." Alfred said.

"Anyway, they need me over there. Goodbye, Al"

Alfred gave Matthew a sad look. "Goodbye."

Matthew adjusted himself on his crutches. "Don't look at me like that, and thank you."

"You're welcome." Alfred started. "Stay safe."

Matthew started to crutch away. "You too." He said over his shoulder.

Alfred ignored his bad feeling. "Keep sending letters!" He called. "It keeps me from worrying!"

Matthew, who was now on his ship, gave his twin a fake smile. "Don't worry, I will." His ship began its departure.

Matthew's ship was barely in sight, and Alfred already began to worry. Don't worry, Alfred. He'll be fine. He'll keep sending letters, and I will probably see him next time, He told himself…

But why did he doubt that?