Bella's Story
Ch. 11
White Houses
Crashed on the floor when I moved in
This little bungalow with some strange new friends
Stay up too late, and I'm too thin
We promise each other it's 'til the end
Now we're spinning empty bottles
It's the five of us
With pretty eyed boys girls die to trust
I can't resist the day
No, I can't resist the day
"You need to do what you need to do," I told him and left, making my way back to my own room. Hoping I could be strong for the both of us.
My room felt like an icebox. He would be gone, be leaving soon. As more and more young boys singed up to be drafted out, I felt a pang in my heart. He would leave me when I needed him the most.
Mine. I thought to myself. I…I needed him like air, without him I would surly die. I how could I live without air? He was my air.
I left the house early the next mourning, no one was up yet. The summer was coming to an end. White houses past me as I walked. The summer air passed me as I walked; I wished I could go with him to war. I could cut my hair? Make myself a boy?
Would they be able to tell I was a girl? Surly they would be able to. I was weak, how could, would I be able to go to war. Edward is able to live without me, but I couldn't, wouldn't live without him.
When I finally made it to the city. It was crowed with people, moving fast, above all this I heard one voice, "extra, extra emerging threat of a flu epidemic" a little boy yelled out.
Jenny screams out and it's no pose
'Cause when she dances she goes and goes
Beer through the nose on an inside joke
And I'm so excited, I haven't spoken
And she's so pretty, and she's so sure
Maybe I'm more clever than a girl like her
Summer's all in bloom
Summer is ending soon
No one seemed to stop for him. I did. I paid for the paper, and left him. The little I could read, sounded awful.
The flu hadn't reach Chicago yet, but I knew it would, we were a big city, people passed though all the time.
The smell of gas passed though my nose and I started to cough, people stopped and looked at me. Did they think I was sick? Surly I wasn't.
I kept on walking to the bread shop. All I wanted was sweet bread, it was lush, and to die for, if I do say so myself.
It's alright and it's nice not to be so alone
But I hold on to your secrets in white houses
I paid for the bread and took it from the saleslady hand, and said thank you.
Outside I broke off a piece to eat, while I walked home, with my newspaper in one hand and the bag of bread in the other.
EPOV
Bella wasn't here, she wasn't anywhere in the house. Was she really mad at me? After all I was in love with her. I was spinning an empty milk bottle.
Mother would be mad at me later for that. Summer was ending soon. And I would be leaving soon.
But I knew she was only scared for me. If I die young, she would be able to find someone good for her, better then me.
Maybe I'm a little bit over my head
I come undone at the things he said
And he's so funny in his bright red shirt
We were all in love and we all got hurt
I sneak into his car's cracked leather seat
The smell of gasoline in the summer heat
Boy, we're going way too fast
It's all too sweet to last
The door open and closed I stopped spinning the milk bottle. It was Bella.
She walked to me.
"Hey" she said and smiled
"Where were you, I missed you" I said and took the newspaper from her hand.
"Hey that's mine," she said jokingly.
"I just want to read the top story, do you want me to read it to you too" I said, I knew she didn't know how to read the best, after all I only thought her to read a little bit.
"Fine" she said and sat down at the table putting a bag on the table.
It's alright
And I put myself in his hands
But I hold on to your secrets in white houses
Love, or something ignites in my veins
And I pray it never fades in white houses
Emerging threat of a flu epidemic
How to fight the influenza
So high has become the death toll of the Spanish influenza in the army and navy and citizenry of this country that the surgeon general of the army had issued rules to observe in avoiding the disease.
President Wilson urges that the direction be distributed widely throughout the country. The president will later order the directions placarded and posted in all government departments and army and navy post.
I stopped and looked up at her.
"Are you alright Isabella?" I asked her
"No I'm not, how can I be alright if you could die at war from the influenza?" she said pissed off
"Should I keep reading?" I asked shyly
"Yes" she said
My first time, hard to explain
Rush of blood, oh, and a little bit of pain
On a cloudy day, it's more common than you think
He's my first mistake
1 -Avoid needless crowding-Influenza is a crowd disease
2-Smother your coughs and sneezing, others do not want the germs which you throw away
3-Your nose not your mouth, was made to breathe through-get the habit
4-Remember the three 'C's- a clean mouth, clean skin and clean clothes
5-Try to keep cool when you walk, and warm when you ride and sleep
6-Open the windows-always at home at night: at the office when practicable
7-Food will win the war if you give it a chance-help by choosing and chewing your food well
8-Your fate may be in your own hands-wash your hands before eating
9-Don't waste product of digestion accumulate-drink a glass or two of water on getting up
10-Don't use a napkin, towel, spoon, fork, glass, cup that has been used by another person and not washed
11-Avoid tight clothes, tight shoes, tight gloves-seek to make nature your ally, not your prisoner
12-when the air is pure; breathe all of it you can-breathe deeply
Maybe you were all faster than me
We gave each other up so easily
These silly little wounds will never mend
I feel so far from where I've been
So I go, and I will not be back here again
I'm gone as the day is fading on white houses
I lied, wrote my injuries all in the dust
In my heart is the five of us
In white houses
When I was done I looked up at her, she looked as if she was about to start crying.
"It will be okay," I told her
"No it will not" she said and grabbed something out of the bag. "Do you want some?" she asked pointing to the bag of bread.
"Sure" I said hoping she would feel better soon. And hoping Chicago would stay the cleanest city in America.
She left to get a plate for me. Another headline caught my eye. "'Influenza Frequently complicated with Pneumonia' is prevalent at this time throughout America. This theatre is co-operating with the department of health. You Must Do The Same, if you have a cold and are couching and sneezing, do not enter any theater. Go home and go to bed until you are well. Coughing, sneezing or spitting will not be permitted in any place or theater. In case you must cough or sneeze, do so in your own hand, kerchief and if the coughing or sneezing persists leave the theatre at once. Help us to keep Chicago the healthiest city in the world."
Bella came back with the plate, and grabbed my hand and held it tightly.
And you, maybe you'll remember me
What I gave is yours to keep
In white houses
-As Always love you all katy