This was my first fan-fiction. During the summer, I had an appendectomy, which required weeks of recovery. That is when I dreamt about sequences that became "A Fine Vacation." Recently, I re-read the story, and was appalled by poor quality of my writing. Consequently, I revised each chapter and made numerous corrections. Please accept my apologies, and I hope to finish this story.
By the first week in February, it seemed the more it snowed, the more restless the men of Easy Company became. Luckily, the weather created demanding physical work that kept them busy most of the day. Many of them began studying building plans, history, as well as literature. While others like Joe Toye learned the art of making glass panes as well as blowing glass bottles, jars, and other wares. For the children, school started up again, and the men continued to escort the children to and from school because food sources became scarcer in the surrounding woods. Amon reported seeing a mountain lion in the refuse dump. No one wanted to take any unnecessary chances.
This morning saw Bill Guarnere and Babe Heffron escorting a group of children, including the Toye, Winters, Luz, Malarkey children as well as Dick Nixon. While they laughed and threw intermittent snowballs at one another as well as Bill and Babe, the latter's mood was more subdued than usual. Not much went unnoticed by Bill Guarnere, especially the state of mind of his best friend. On the way back, Bill could not stand the quiet anymore. "So Babe, how are thing goings with you and Julie? She's a real pretty girl."
"Yeah, she is," said Babe.
Bill waited for Babe to say something else, but he was not forthcoming.
"Jesus Christ Babe, talk to me. What's eating ya? We haven't had time to have a real conversation since we got here, and you are acting like a monk who just took a vow of silence. What gives?"
"It just looked to me that you and Toye are tight now, which is understandable considering what youse went through back there."
"Whatsa matter Babe, you jealous or something?"
"Don't' be a wise ass."
Bill stopped and turned to Babe. The latter could tell his buddy was serious. "Look you and I are pals. We have been since I saw you doing the South Philly shuffle in the barracks at Aldborne. Even after the war, we remain the best of pals throughout are lives. I don't see how being here can change that."
"No, Bill, it ain't that. It's just that," Babe stopped talking and started walking down the road.
"It's just what? Come on, Babe this is me you are talking to."
"It's just that this ain't South Philly. All we have talked about for months is what we were going to do when we got back home. Now you are so keen on staying here, and I'm not so sure this is where I want to spend the rest of my life. I mean what the hell do I know about living in the wilderness. What the hell do you know?"
Bill threw his head back and laughed aloud. "Not a goddamn thing Babe. Dis here ain't gonna be easy, but it is a helluva of an adventure. Bill's face turned dark, and he realized the serious undertones in Babe's comments. "Are you thinking of going back."
"I'd be lying if I said it hadn't crossed my mind, and that ain't the only thing."
"What else is there?"
"There ain't no priests here, Bill. Nobody's Catholic, shoot, I don't even know if they are Protestant. I mean we sit in silence, and there's no sermon, no Eucharist, no confession, it just feels weird."
"I know what you mean Babe. It's definitely different, but you know I kinda like sitting there talking to God with nobody interrupting my thoughts. In fact, I have had some of the best conversations with the man upstairs than I've had in a long time."
"And you call yourself a Catholic," snorted Babe.
"Don't irrigate me. Mostly, I think about my brother Henry. I wish he could be here. Listen, I've been reading these history books about America and the rest of the world, as well as what happened to it. Over time, religion divides people and nations. People kill one another over how they worship God. Jesus Christ Babe, you saw those camps. I mean, I just assumed since you hit it off with Julie and those kids, who by the way are a credit to the Heffron name that you would jump at the chance to take part in this mission. I don't know what I will do if you don't stay."
"Well, thanks a lot for not putting any pressure on me," complained Babe. "I am just not sure I am ready to settle down just yet and all the other stuff."
"Well, no one is saying any of us have to marry right away. There is going to be so much work in establishing a town, and it will probably be awhile before we become a city. You are right about one thing though, dis ain't South Philly."
"Do you miss it?"
"Course I do, but Fran and kids feel the hole. Dey needs me, and to tell you the truth I need them. I am glad that there is a Guarnere back there in '45 who returns home and marries Franny, has two kids and the best friend a guy could have which is you, ya big dope. Haven't you looked at your life back then?"
"No, I haven't had the nerve."
"Christ Babe, you can endure Bastogne, you can handle anything. Check it out, maybe it will help remove any doubts you have about staying here."
By this time, they were back at the barracks. "All right Bill, I will do just that. Thanks for listening."
"Anytime kid, you know I am always here for you." With that the two men walked the rest of the way back in silence.
Babe Heffron was not the only man carrying a load of second thoughts on his shoulders. It seemed throughout the morning; Bill counseled a lot of the men for whom the real sacrifice became all too clear. After Babe finished watching his life's story as he thought of it, he sat down and joined in what it seemed to be a bull session about that very subject.
For the first time that anyone could recall, George Luz was serious. "I'm just saying this is a lot of ask of us after all we've been through together. When I signed up for the paratroopers, that was my choice and I am not complaining about that. We had a job to do and we did it, but this situation is entirely different."
"Yeah," said Perconte. "It's one thing to ask us to help rebuild a country, but not to go back home and see my parents let alone my wife, well, that's something else altogether."
Donald Malarkey stood nearby listening to the conversation. He made his decision shortly after viewing the film about his life. Before Don could walk away and finish reading American History 2000-2100, Bill called him over and asked him to put in his two cents. Shrugging his shoulders, Don said he was staying here. "Sure I will miss seeing my folks, but at least I won't get drunk every goddamn Christmas because of Bastogne. Don't get me wrong, I have a good life, but what happened to Muck and Penkala then to Bill never left me, and I am not sure it will now, but I think it will be better staying here with them. This way I get to grow old and hopefully happier with my three best friends. Plus, I am planning to marry a sweet Irish girl and continue the fine name of Malarkey. Now, if you guys will excuse me, I have some reading to catch up on."
"Whoo hoo, Malarkey, tell us how us how you really feel," said Luz. Then turning to Babe, George asked him, "What about you Babe? Are you still sure you want to stay here?"
"Funny you should ask George," said Babe. "This morning I talked to Bill, and I told him I wasn't as sure as I was a few days ago, but I just got through looking at my life when I go back home after the war. It's a good life. I marry a nice woman. She has a couple of kids, and we have a beautiful daughter together.
"Yeah, that's nice, but it sounds like you are leaving something out," said Shifty.
"Yeah, there is something else. Besides, my wife, my family and the church, there is one constant in my life and that's my friend over there," said Babe as he pointed to Bill. Then there is seeing you guys at the reunions. We all get together and shoot the shit, get drunk, and have a bang up time, but Bill and me; we see or talk to each other every day. He's the best man at my wedding and godfather to my daughter. We travel all over the world together. So, if Bill stays then I stay. Otherwise, what kind of buddy would I be leaving him here alone in the goddamn middle of fricking nowhere?"
After everyone stopped laughing, Bill wiped his eyes and said, "I am touched Babe," said "but before we all start crying in our beers and singing Mother McCrea, I don't want any man to remain here unless he is 100 sure. It wouldn't be fair to you or the lady involved as well as the kids. They have lost too much as it is. Talk it out amongst yourselves or with me. Hell, even try Major Winters. I am sure he probably has doubts of his own. Who wouldn't?"
At that very moment, Dick Winters was studying the trail that would take them to New Harmony. Someone knocked at the door, "Enter, I mean come in please." It was Sarah with a cup of tea and some scones. "I'm sorry. I am still adjusting to being around civilians." He put his pencil down, took a sip of tea, and bit into a scone, which he discovered was full of cranberries.
Sara massaged his neck a bit and finally said, "That is quite understandable. I think most of your men are too as well as having some second thoughts about staying here."
"What makes you say that?" Dick patted her hands then pulled her onto his lap.
"Oh, my friends tell me that their beaus do seem to be less attentive as they did when they first got here, but that is to be expected."
Looking confused, Dick said, "Care to explain."
Sarah rested her head on top of Dick's as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "For the first time in three years, none of you are training for or fighting in combat. You come off the line greeted like heroes by pretty, young women and children bearing your names. Here you are young, normal men who want the war to be over with so you can make up for the time you lost. For most of you that would be to marry your sweetheart or someone, you meet then return to school, start families and build careers. Now for some of you, they make a connection with someone and everyone thing is going fine. Then it hits you, if you stay here, you never see your family again, or the neighborhood you grew up in or marry your sweetheart. That is a lot to ask of anybody, and if ever a group of men deserve to experience the joy of reuniting with your loved ones, it is you and your men."
"I gather you thought about this before our arrival," mumbled Dick as he drew Sarah closer to him.
"Yes, I did."
"Beautiful, smart and wise, how did I get so lucky?"
"That is lovely, but you haven't told me whether or not you are having second thoughts about remaining here."
"Sara, I am not the type of man who makes a decision as important as this without weighing the factors both pro and con, reach that decision then change my mind in mid-stream. Is that a sigh of relief?"
"Yes," she said quietly.
"What do we now?"
"Now we wait."
"Hmm," nodded Dick. "Now we wait." The sat there quietly holding very tightly to one another as they both realized the miracle of what they felt for one another despite the vast passages of time that once separated them.
Back at the barn/barracks, Lieutenant Lipton walked inside. Taking his coat, gloves, scarves and other gear off, he sat down at the table with the fellows. "What's the word, guys?"
Everybody exchanged glances out of the corner of their eyes, until Bill spoke up. "Well, Lip to tell ya the truth, these scalawags are having second thoughts about staying here. It looks like youse might have some company when you go back to 1945."
"You don't say. Why the change of hearts guys?" Lip sat down and Shifty brought him a cup of coffee. "Thanks Shifty."
Bill eyed Lip carefully then he recalled something. "Hey, Lip, remember that little speech you gave us back in the Bois Jacques when were freezing our asses off and singing Dike's praises."
"Vaguely," said Lip as he sipped his coffee. "Why bring that up now."
"Well, I was thinking about what you said about us being the toughest, most professional, most dedicated sons of bitches in the entire ETO, and I think that's why we are here."
"Come again," said Babe?
"Just this, like most guys in the ETO, we come from all parts of the countries with different backgrounds, religions, you name it we got it. However, unlike most guys in the service, we trained together, shipped out together, fought together, and in the process some got killed or like me wounded. We know each other in ways that no other person will ever be able to understand. We've seen things nobody should see. Somehow, our reputation for being the best, goddamned company has landed us here in the future. Not only that, our descendants were tough enough to survive through all the chaos, wars, famines, floods, and other miseries that this planet has seen for the past god knows how many years."
"What's your point Bill," said Lip.
"The way I see it, these scientists chose us to re-establish a colony in America because we are the best of the best, we know the meaning of hard work, and we remember what it is to love your country enough to fight for it. I have been reading the history of dis country. I tell ya fellas, the changes dat happen in our lifetime make me sick to my stomach. Youse guys that haven't looked at any of dose history films should take a look at what takes place in just thirty years after we get back home. I'm telling youse dere is a reason they need us to stay here because we have heart and dere ain't one fella here dat I wouldn't kill for, and I know youse feels the same way. Now, youse might think I am staying here cause now I have two legs. I don't know if there ain't some truth in dat, but I will tell anybody I have a great life with one and half leg and so Joe Toye. I never let it get me down. That Bill Guarnere who goes back home is one lucky bastard to be loved by a great woman, and now I met one here. Not only dat, dose kids need a father, and dey are my blood, and dat's all I've got to say about it." With that, Bill went into his room, grabbed his hat, coat, and gloves. When he stepped back out, Bill said, "Now I want all of you to keep on talking amongst yourselves. Get everything off your chest and make your own decision."
"Where you going," asked Babe?
"Where do you think Einstein," said Luz?
"Dat's right, I think I figured something, and I am off to see if I'm right."
As they watched their favorite Sergeant amble out the door, the men smiled at one another.
Cocking his head to the side, Luz said, "Ya know I think I will check out some of those films."
He got up to go into the recreation room, but Perconte stopped him. "George, bring them out here, and let's all take a look. Is that all right with you guys?"
"Sure Frank," said Carwood. "I think Wild Bill maybe onto something."