War. It seemed so surreal in Emma's mind. Since she was born, she had never had to think about what it would be like to live during a war. Well, she had found out. 1940 May was moodily cold, and Emma had started to wear a coat and her gloves to work. She had also been saving up her money, in case something happened.
Life hadn't changed much. John Curtis was a little older, Elizabeth had turned twelve in October, Emma and Ben were nineteen. Seeing how fast her life was flashing by, Emma had begun to think about her future.
Her relationship with Ben was sometimes strained. Everything wasn't perfect, as they had once thought it was. Because when she was younger, she'd been sold this dream idea of love and relationships, marriage and kids, and actually, what it really took was communication and compromise. Living in the same house didn't help. Ben and Emma were dating, but they were also forced to live in the lifestyle everyone else lived in, the lifestyle where they thought of each other as brother and sister.
Erin hopped into Emma's new car which she had been saving up for. "Wow, nice car." She smiled, setting her bag down.
"Thanks." Emma grinned, starting to drive. They two sisters sat in silence for a while. "Ben is so irritable lately."
"Trouble in paradise?" Erin teased. But when she saw that Emma was serious, her face clouded. "Oh."
"It's just, he's started to go out to the Dew Drop Inn with Jason more and more. I know he doesn't drink that much, but I hate it. All those types of girls are there. And when I ask him about it, he snaps at me." Emma blinked back tears, cross with herself for breaking down.
Erin bit her lip."Ben really likes you. I don't think he'd do anything behind your back. He's blatantly honest, you know that."
"I'm also worried about this war. Mary Ellen said that there is a big chance that Curt may have to go as a doctor, even though America isn't even in the War yet." Emma sighed, her forehead creasing with stress.
"Aww, Emma. You're working too hard." Erin said softly. "You need to relax and forget about the war sometimes."
"I'm trying, but it's so hard." Emma's voice was barely above a whisper.
That night, Mary Ellen burst in the porch door, tears running down her cheeks. Struggling to keep her composure as everyone turned to stare at her, Olivia helped her into Grandpa and Grandma's room. Emma and Erin followed.
"Curt is going," Mary Ellen cried. "He's been called up. And I'll be left, a twenty year old with a baby."
"Mary Ellen, you can come and stay with us if you want to." Olivia held her eldest girl close, rocking her like a baby.
"I don't know mama. I don't know anything. It's this war. This stupid darned war."
Curt came to say goodbye to the family before he left. It was a troublesome time for everyone, losing the brother they had only recently, really, gained. Of course he should be safe enough, but with how strange and unsure everything was at the minute no one could be certain.
Mary Ellen and John Curtis decided to move in with the family again. Since John Boy was in New York, she would take his room and set up a crib for her son. It wasn't the same as sharing with her sister, but Emma was happy enough.
"Ben..." Emma giggled as they kissed in his car. His arms were around her waist, and she planted kisses on his lips.
"I love you." Ben said without thinking, grinning happily.
"What?!" Emma near shrieked, moving away. "What...?"
Realization of what he had said brought heat to Ben's cheeks. "Uh, I-I didnt mean to say that. I dont love you! I mean, I love you, but, that just- I like you!" Ben freaked out.
Emma stared at him in shock. "Uh." Ben glanced down awkwardly. Of course he had to go and blow it.
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay."
""I'm really sorry, I didn't mean for it to sound that way." Ben apologized, taking her hand.
"I know!" Emma sighed, glancing up at him. "It was just unexpected, that's all." They sat there in uncomfortable silence, until Ben finally decided to drive them home.