This maybe a two-hanky story especially if you are a secret sentimental slob like me.
The train station at Mourmelon was not nearly as magnificent as the one they just left in Paris nor did it have a hostile looking Captain Winters towering over them with a face that looked like thunder. On the other hand, Captain Nixon decided to lean up against the wall. "This ought to pretty good," he said, then took a sip from his flask.
While they stood at attention, Winters lit into them, "Where in God's name have you been?" His voice was low, harsh, and angry. Edie knew that tone, and waited for him to finish. "Do you realize that every man from Easy Company who is not on leave has been tearing this town apart looking for you ladies? Granted you are not technically in the Army, but I thought I made it clear that as long as you are in those uniforms, I expect you to follow certain regulations or at the very least told someone where you were heading, which I assumed was Paris. You did not have enough time to blow your winnings so you must have had another objective, which I will save myself the trouble of asking about because frankly I do not give a good damn. Now if it is not too much trouble, please march yourselves back to your hotel where you will confine yourselves until I say otherwise, which maybe when hell freezes over or you leave for Holland. A guard will be posted outside the hotel and will escort you if you dare to show your faces until the men have had time to cool off. Now get out of my sight." The four looked at each other, picked up their bags, and followed the armed private from Fox Company to their hotel.
Meanwhile, Sergeant Luz was taking down a lengthy message for Captain Winters via the radio from a Major Harwood Rockwall who was the CO for the Army's military police, in Paris. When Winters returned to the CP, Luz greeted him with the message. "Sergeant, I do not want to see another goddamned piece of paper tonight. Please inform the men that the foolish foursome has returned."
"Yes, sir, I know. That's why I think you will want to read this message from Major Rockwall who is stationed with the Military Police in Paris." Luz held out the note with his famous impish grin, which expanded when Winters snatched the note. Luz nodded to Nixon and winked then left to let guys know the girls are back and unharmed. This behavior intrigued Nixon who felt somewhat deprived because Winters did not let the girls offer an explanation.
"Of all the lame brain stunts ever pulled by a member of this Battalion this one takes the cake. It is bad enough the men get into fights every time they go to Reims, we now have these four dragging the reputation of the 506th through the streets of Paris. If we stay here much longer, Ike might decide to drop us in Germany just to get us out of France. Winters got on the horn to Paris to let them know that them there had been some mistake. Here, I know you are dying to read this." Handing the note to Nixon, he watched as the latter headed off to drink himself to sleep. Dick could still hear Nixon's laughter long after he left the CP.
Meanwhile in the barracks, George Luz took delight in telling a story that was destined to become one of the greatest legends in Easy Company's history. Christiansen opened a bottle of champagne and the men took turns making toasts to the fearless, foolish foursome. Unfortunately, the men did not realize the stuff packs a punch. Soon for reasons forgotten, those present decided to tear the barracks apart. When Lipton returned in the wee hours of the morning, he made them clean the mess up. Guarnere, Toye, and Compton returned from their house-to- house, bar-to-bar search of Mourmelon to find Johnny Martin trying to repair broken beds. "What da hell happened here Peanut?"
"We had some champagne, and I guess it went to our heads," said a greenish looking Christiansen. "By the way, the fearless four are back. If you can get Luz to sober up he will tell you the greatest story ever." Then he ran back to the head and tossed his cookies.
"Will someone tell me what da fuck is going on here? Where is Edie? Are they OK?" Guarnere picked up Luz by the front of his jacket, and tried to wake him up. Come on George, wake the fuck up, and tell me what's going on." Deciding this was futile, Bill dropped George's head none to gently back on the table where it was laying. He and Joe decided to walk over to the Maison Bleu when Muck, Penkala, Malark, and Babe came in howling with laughter.
"Wild Bill, we just heard the girls are back, and you will never guess in a million years where they went, what they did and who they did it too," said Malark. "Edie, JoJo, Molly, and Katie are my heroines."
"I would have given Malarkey's left nut to have seen Sobel's face," said Muck.
"Gee thanks, Skip," said Don.
Ignoring his friend, Skip continued, "Can you imagine if we could have pulled that off back in England? Colonel Sink would have shot us himself."
"Thank God, he's in Reims," said Babe.
"It was brilliant," said Penkala. "I tell you the British could take lessons from them on how to plan as well as execute their next military operation."
"Will you guys stop jabbering nonsense and tell me what the hell you are talking about."
"You haven't heard? Sit down Bill, you are going to love this," said Malarkey. By this time, the barracks was in fair condition and some of the men were sober enough to remember why they got drunk in the first place. When Malarkey finished the story, he ended with a flourish. "When they get off the train, who do you think is there to greet them, none other than Captain Winters? After ripping them new assholes, he confines them to quarters. When he gets back to the CO, Luz hands him the message from the head MP in Paris to identify and arrest Joe Namath, Moe Rocca and Eddie Murphy of the 506th for assault on two officers then surrender them immediately to the military police here in Mourmelon. Winters calls this guy up and informs him that he has never heard of these men, and they certainly are not on the rosters of the 506th. In the background, Winters could hear Sobel screaming his head off."
Stone faced, Bill said, "I am going to murder 'em. Joe and me have been looking over hell and half of France for those four girls, and youse tell me that all dis time, dey've been in Paris bearing their asses in Paris just to piss off Sobel." Bill got up and Joe followed him as they made their way over to the hotel. Neither the guard nor the concierge would let the two inside. So the men started yelling up to the girl's rooms, "Edie, you betta wake up because I gotta bone to pick with ya," yelled Bill.
Hearing the sound of someone raising a window caused Bill and Joe to look up to see a groggy Edie sticking her head out. "Bill, I am sorry that I didn't tell you where we went. It was a spur of the moment thing, and we have our reasons for keeping our plan under wraps."
"We all know about whatcha did in Paris. Winters just got an earful from the military police in Paris. You had us worried out of our minds thinking something bad happened to ya and we come to find out you were in Paris," said Joe.
That is when JoJo stuck her head out of the window. "Joe Toye, it's a little late to start pretending that you actually give a damn. You have not given me the time of day in over a month. It sounds to me like you two are just jealous that we did not invite you along."
Katie and Molly looked down on the two guys. "See what did I tell you? Never say never," said Katie. "At least, this is the first time we ever got caught." The two girls stayed at the window to see what was going to happen next.
"Bill, please don't be mad. We did it for Easy because that man is holding up the supplies until he talks to Sink. It was my idea, and I take full responsibility."
"So, you really did what they say you gals did," asked Bill?
"Yes, it seemed like a good idea at the time. We were kind of fired up."
"Jesus, Edie, I was scared half to death." Bill sat down on a circular bench that wrapped around the bottom of a large tree in front of the hotel.
"Wait right there, I will be right down."
When the guard tried to stop Edie from leaving the hotel, Joe Toye threatened to break the private's neck if he did not step aside. Then Joe went past the concierge, who was a tiny little French lady in a robe and an old fashion nightcap. Even though he did not understand a word she was saying, Joe gathered that she was none too happy nor did she think too highly of what was happening in her establishment. JoJo greeted him on the stairs and motioned for him to have a seat in the lobby. This seem to satisfy the old woman, but she did not budge from behind the desk.
"May I sit down," asked Edie? Bill got up and wiped off the bench for her. She was wearing her pajamas and a big wool turtleneck that she grabbed from her backpack. Still the night air was damp and cold. "Bill, I truly am sorry. It never occurred to me that anyone might miss us or worry that something happened. When one of us gets a wild hair, all of us just go with it. It is no excuse, but that's the truth."
"You didn't think dat I wouldn't miss you?" Bill pressed his lips together. "Edie when I was in dat friggin' hospital, and I started feeling down, the one thing dat picked my spirits up besides going home to South Philly was youse. I thought if I could just see you your pretty face again and we'd kid around and have some laughs then being in dis joint was worth it. Not miss ya. When I think about how youse and your friends are going to leave soon, and I probably won't ever see youse again, well it hurts real bad Edie, I ain't gonna lie to you. We may just be friends, but we are good friends, and friends tell their friends when they are going to go out of town or don't they do dat wheres youse come from?"
Edie asked Bill to move around to the other side of the tree so the guard could not see them. After he did, and sat back down, Edie sat in Bill's lap, and put her arms around his neck. "William Guarnere, I am not the type of person who leaves a friend who I will not see for a long time without saying goodbye." Resting her head on his shoulders, "I am sorry that you are upset, but what made you think we might be in trouble?"
"Well, we heard JoJo took those officers to the cleaners. Now most of deese guys respect dat but there are some bums here who were low lives before they joined the Army and they ain't changed a bit. TThey are no like Taccoa men. We are here to fight Germans not Americans. I'd kill any man who so much as harmed a hair on your head. Not to change the subject, but you really dropped your pants and showed your pretty little tush to Sobel." When Edie whispered yes, a small smile began to creep across Bill's face.
"We call it mooning. In fact, it is a French tradition. Apparently, some French soldiers in the 1400s were none too pleased with the English invaders so they mooned them. Just think if the Germans did that imagine what Shifty might just shoot off besides their scrawny white behinds."
"I woulda given my whole back pay to have seen the expression on Sobel's face. Girlie, you are crazy sometimes, and I love you for it, but promise me dat you won't leave without saying goodbye."
"I promise, cross my heart and hope to cry."
"Now you betta not cry because it might get me to crying and dat wouldn't be good for old Bill's reputation now would it." Bill wrapped his arms around Edie and leaned his head against Edie's cheek.
"No, I guess not." They sat together like that for a while not saying a word. Two friends who knew that time would soon separate them. One not sure if he would live to see the other. The other knowing that he would but it would be over sixty years before they would lay eyes on one another.
While Edie and Bill made up, JoJo and Joe Toye were making their peace, only it was in front of the concierge. "Joe, if we discover that we can't go back, would you be interested in seeing me or would you still return to your girl back home?"
"It's hard to say Joanna. He never liked calling her JoJo. You and I come from different worlds. I have never been to college like you. Sooner or later you would miss your family and might even resent me."
"That sounds like a load of crap," said JoJo. "Did you ever have any feelings for me?"
"Yes, I do, but Joanna, I've got feelings too. If I let myself, I could fall so hard and deep for you they'd have to send a ladder down to find me. I would do my damndest to make you happy, but I can't for the life of me picture you here. Don't ask me how I know, but I am sure you will go back to your time, and then where will I be. One more broken hearted GI on the frontline. I gotta stay focused for the men's sake as well as for myself. Knowing that you are back where you belong and that you are safe, well that's going to have to be enough for me. I hope you understand. Bill tells me that he and Edie are just friends, but I know Bill Guarnere. If Edie, were to stay here, he'd be singing a different tune. Those two accept the situation for what it is, and they both know that they could easily hurt the other. Why can't you?"
"That's just it Joe, I do accept that, but I really do have feelings for you, and I wanted to share them with you. Do you know that you are the first man who did not treat me like just one of the fellows? That's why I fell in love with you. I know we can never have a life together, but I did think we could try and find a little happiness in the time that we do have. It passes by so quickly." Tears fell down JoJo's cheeks. Toye wiped them away with his thumb. Even the concierge was getting weepy eyed. Pulling an ancient rag from the pocket of her robe, she blew her nose loudly, then went into her room and closed the door. She might not have understood the words, but she knew that these two young people loved each other but there was something keeping them apart. The concierge was not so old that she could not remember what it was like to be young and in love during a time of war.
"Don't cry Joanna. You are the most beautiful, amazing woman that I have ever known. I'd be some kind of idiot not to love you, but I ain't the kinda guy to use a woman like that. If I were to make love to you like you deserve, it would be because I'd expect to see my ring on your finger in the morning. I will try and be friends with ya like Bill is with Edie, but don't push it ok."
"Ok Joe," said Joanna and kissed Joe on the cheek.
"Oh hell," said Joe. He pulled JoJo close and kissed her good and proper yet so tenderly that it surprised the two of them. "Get some rest, and I will see you tomorrow."
"Goodnight Joe," said JoJo. She nodded to Edie who just walked in the front door.
"Goodnight Joanna, Edie," said Joe. Then he joined Guarnere outside.
As the two girls went upstairs, the Bill and Joe stood outside watching to see the lights go off in their windows. The two lit cigarettes. "Ya know Joe, those are two of the finest broads that I have met since we left the states," said Bill.
"Yeah," said Joe. "Just don't let them hear you call them broads."
"Are you kidding me," said Bill. "I value my life more than that." Seeing it was now dark in the girls' rooms, the two men headed back to their barracks. "Can you believe they rode all the way to Paris just to stick it Sobel?"
Toye stood there for a minute to roll the question around in his head, took a drag off his cigarette, and said, "Yeah, I believe it."
"I wonder if Sobel saw Edie's tattoo."
"Edie's got a tattoo on her, uh, backside? How do you know?"
"Well, don't tell anybody or I might have to kill ya even though youse my buddy, but she showed it to me this afternoon. It's right here on her right hip, she's got a perfect set of paratrooper wings."
"No, kidding? Damn, she's gonna make some guy, one lucky son of a bitch."
"Yeah," said Bill. "Too bad, it ain't gonna be dis son of a bitch."
"It's a helluva thing for both of us," said Joe.
"You said it Joe."
Exhausted from lack of sleep and the excitement of traveling to Paris and back, the girls slept in the next day. When they did not report to breakfast, Winters had someone check to make sure they were still at the hotel. A sleepy Molly informed, Shifty Powers, that she was quite sure that the others were doing the same. "If you are feeling particularly brave, go knock on their doors, but if they are not in their rooms, I have no idea where they are. Night, night." Molly yawned and closed the door.
Shifty almost found himself saying "night, night" in return. However, Captain Winters gave strict orders that he was to make face-to-face contact with each of the young ladies. Tapping lightly on the next door, Shifty heard no response so knocked louder. This time, he heard someone that sounded like JoJo say, "Fuck off, I am not getting up." Put off by a woman using such language, Shifty almost skipped this room. Orders or orders, he thought so he tried again. This time he said, "Captain Winters wants to make sure that you and the other ladies are following his orders. I am suppose to make eye contact with each one of you." This brought forth a slew of expletives. He heard some stumbling around and finally JoJo came to the door. Wrapped in only a blanket, Shifty could only imagine that she did not own a pair of pajamas. "Are you happy now, Shifty? Tell Winters to go play with himself."
Another door opened and Katie stuck her head out and said, "For the love of sweet baby Jesus, keep it down for pity's sake. I am trying to get some sleep."
"Tell that to Captain American too," said JoJo. Then she closed the door in Shifty's face.
Three down and one to go, thought Shifty. Dreading what Edie's response might be, he knocked soundly. The door sprung open and Shifty was relieved to hear a cheerful, "Good Morning Shifty. Are you checking up on us?"
"Yes, m'am, Captain Winters was kinda concerned when none of y'all were at breakfast. So, he sent me ovah heah to check to see if y'all were all right, and it looks like ya'll are. I guess I'll be goin' now."
"Wait up Shifty; I am going to walk over with you to see Captain Winters. Let me grab my coat." When they reached the small lobby, the concierge sniffed loudly to let Edie know that she somehow met with disapproval. "Hold up, Shifty, I need to apologize to Madam Aubrey." Taking a seat, he lit a cigarette and looked out the window. Everday, it seems to get colder and colder, he thought. Although he tried not to he could not help but overhear the conversation between the older woman and Edie. It did not help that the woman spoke in French. However, what he had not counted on was the fact that Edie spoke French, and it seemed to Shifty that she was right good at it. For some reason, whatever Edie said appeased the concierge. Then he saw Edie slip her some money, which really seemed to put a smile on the old girl's face even though she seemed to protest at receiving it. Eventually, the concierge pocketed the money, and the two women shook hands. Sensing that an agreement had been reached, Shifty stood back up and waited as Edie put her gloves on.
As they stepped out side, Edie said, "Always remember Shifty, you get more flies with honey than you do vinegar."
"That's what my daddy always says too m'am," said Shifty.
After informing the guard that there was no need to follow along as she was under Sergeant Powers' watchful eye, the two made their way towards Winter's CP, waiting at one point as the different platoons marched down as part of their morning drills. Guarnere spotted Edie and winked then turned to the new replacement and asked the young boy if knew his ass from a hole in the ground.
Either Captain Winters was busy or he was still trying to cool off before meeting with Edie. The latter was quite likely because Edie knew he certainly did not want a repeat of what happened the last time the two argued. Remembering the look on his face as she started unbuttoning her blouse brought a smile to her face. She started laughing out loud. Looking out from the window, she saw that Easy was not the only company running through drills this morning. It looked as if the entire battalion rose early to prepare to go back to war. Knowing that it would be sooner than they thought, she pressed her forehead against the windowpane. Closing her eyes, Edie prayed for those men who would not make it back home as well as their families. She thought of Skip Muck, Alex Penkala, and Don Hoobler. Three of the nicest guys you'd ever meet in this or any other lifetime. It's not fair; Edie thought that such wonderful, brave young men who should be home going to college or starting their first jobs should be cut down in their prime. Fucking war, fuck Adolph Hitler. I think I could kill the man with my bare hands. What really sucks she thought is that no one learns anything from this war. In her own time, there had been genocides and wars fought more against innocent civilians than one army pitted against another. There is nothing honorable about that kind of war. These men think if they loose their life that at least this war will be the last one. "Ha," she said out loud.
"Ha, what," said Winters?"
Edie turned around. "I didn't hear the door open," she said as she dug around in her pocketbook for a hanky to wipe the tears that were rolling down her face. "Nothing, Captain, she said. Where is my fricking handkerchief, she thought. I know I put one in here."
Reaching into his pocket, Winters walked over to Edie he realized that she had been watching the men. Handing her the handkerchief, Winters said, "Yes, it's hard knowing that some of those men, mostly boys now, probably won't make it to their next birthday."
Dabbing her face, Edie said in a broken voice, "My mind knows that death is fact of life in war, but they are so young, and their families will miss them for the rest of their lives. I'm sorry. I don't know what is wrong with me." Edie was practically sobbing now. Placing his hands on either of her shoulders, Winters guided Edie into his office and gently sat her down in a chair.
"I came over here to apologize for embarrassing the 506th. It was a stupid idea, but we pull stuff like this all the time in college, but this is the Army. I should have more respect for the uniform, but things are different in my time. It's not as ingrained in me as it is you and born in this time. You respect authority. I was raised to question it. You know what they call casualties in my time, collateral damage. Human beings are just collateral damage. I guess it's better than what the Brits called them in World War I, cannon fodder. Nevertheless, I want you to know that it was my idea, and I take full responsibility for what took place. That's what I came to say. I won't keep too much of your time." Edie started to get up, but Winters stopped her.
"You have put me in a difficult position. Part of me wants to drive you and your friends up to Nuenen just to get you four out of my hair so the men as well as myself can return to preparing to return to action."
"And the other part," she asked.
"The other part wants to know if there is some sort of medal for telling that chicken shit officer exactly what the men of Easy Company think of him. Don't get me wrong. He transformed this company into one of the finest, most physically fit outfits in the ETO. We forged a special bond in Taccoa just by putting up with his crap, but it came at a price, one that he probably will pay for the rest of his life."
"As a matter of fact he does," said Edie somberly.
"All I can tell you is to hang tough, try and enjoy the rest of your time with the friends that you have made. I hope you will count me as one of them."
"I do," said Edie. "This is such a strange experience for me. I am never this emotional. Well, not since my grandmother died. It was very sudden and unexpected. In fact, her death is the reason my family did not make it for the 60th Anniversary of "D-Day" celebrations. Who knows if we had gone, I might have seen you there. Putting her hand over her mouth, Edie said, "Whoops I am sorry. I never intended to tell you that story. Dumb, dumb, dumb."
"Stop beating yourself up, I am a Battalion XO. Chances are I will never fire my weapon again," said Dick remorsefully. "Just the same, I do not want to know anymore."
"Agreed, now I think I will go over to the mess hall and grab some lunch. Care to join me?" Until now, Dick had refused every invitation Edie ever extended, but for once he surprised her.
"I would be delighted to accompany you Captain Witherspoon." Together, they walked over to the mess hall. Guarnere saw them go in, but he wasn't jealous. In a way, he was kind of happy for her. Bending over, he rolled the dice and was thrilled to see sevens roll out for him.
The fact that the two captains were having lunch together did not go unnoticed by some of the other men of Easy Company. "They sure seem to be yakking it up," said Frank Perconte. "Are you jealous Perco?" said Johnny as he lit a cigarette. "Everyone in the company including Lieutenant Peacock knows they are sweet on each other, but neither one is going to do a thing about it. They are both a couple of scouts; you know boy scout and girl scout."
"No," said George. "We are complete idiots. Why don't you spell it out for us Johnny?"
"Well, I think it's a damn shame they are leaving," said Bull. "It's kind of nice having women around who know how to take care of themselves as well as shoot the nose hairs off a Kraut." The boys laughed so hard, Johnny Martin almost choked on his coffee.
"What's so funny," asked Bill?
"Bull just made a joke," said George and he repeated the Bull's remark.
"Heah, heah, nose hairs, that's ripe Bull. Be sure to tell Edie."
"Hey Bill, you're not jealous of you know, Edie sitting with Captain Winters."
"No, Johnny. I ain't. Edie and I understand one another. We are paizons coppish?
"I do, Bill," said Frank, "but then I am an Italian."
Bill smiled, "Dat's right Perco. What's for lunch?"
When Edie returned to the hotel escorted by Captain Winters, the concierge shook her head until she saw the two captains shake hands. Then she started muttering, Je ne comprends pas. Americans."
Edie laughed and Dick looked puzzled until she translated. Then he chuckled. "I have removed the guard, but be careful. Do not go out alone."
"I promise," she said. "I think I will get some more rest. Thank you, I enjoyed lunch."
Lying on her bed, Edie started making a mental list of notes she wanted to leave for some of the men, and who she would ask to deliver them. Then she fell asleep and took a well-deserved nap.
Coppish is the Italian-American form of the Italian word capeche for understand.