On the 2nd of September 1945, the war ended.
The Japanese army surrendered, and the boys went home.
Families and loved ones were reunited with soldiers from all across the country. And the celebrations continued when each man returned. Most nights, the veterans were drunk. And if they had wives, they'd turn up back home, stinking drunk, to a very pissed off wife. It was a great time to be alive and celebrate the end of a horrific war. Men came home to children they hadn't met, they got married, they found new sweethearts. Music was always playing, the veterans let loose on the dancefloor to swing music. The cities never slept.
But underneath all that, they each had a scar from the war.
Some more visible to others.
Some scars were deep in the souls of many.
But for Bill Guarnere, his battle scar was visible for the whole world to see.
Sitting at the table, with a cold drink, his crutch leaned against his chair.
On the chair next to him was Martin and on his side, it was Heffron.
Just like they had promised, the three of them had a drink together.
However, they were missing two very important people.
The table was quiet.
The three friends tried to talk about anything.
Well, anything except the war.
No one talked about the war.
Martin went on about his wife, Guarnere told his friends about his wedding and Heffron spoke about his job and a girl he was dating. They talked, as if their life had been normal all along. Like they hadn't dropped into Normandy, sat in the constant rain in Holland or almost froze to death in Bastogne. According to Heffron, it was best not to talk about the war.
And the three of them agreed, to never bring it up.
It was 1946, they were heading into September.
Guarnere had an idea to set up an Easy Company reunion.
His wife, Frannie, was going to help him.
And Guarnere was excited to see his old buddies again.
Eyes lingering towards the empty seat, Guarnere felt his gut twist.
Running a hand down his face, he grabbed his whiskey.
Martin cleared his throat;
"Pat's pregnant".
"Get out of here…". Heffron grinned, "really?"
Martin smiled and nodded;
"yeah…I'm 'gonna be a dad".
"Good luck, Johnny". Guarnere smirked, "Eugene's great and all but damn…he sure knows how to scream the house down".
Heffron shrugged;
"you'll do fine, Johnny". He said lightly, "I 'wanna be a dad someday too".
"Well, what 'bout this broad your seeing?" Guarnere asked him, "what's she like?"
"Okay".
Martin raised an eyebrow;
"just okay?"
Heffron shrugged;
"I mean…she's okay, huh? But she sure likes to complain a lot".
"That's cause you don't got a decent suit". Guarnere pointed out, "come see my pop, huh? He'll sort you out".
Heffron sighed, "Bill, I don't need a damn tailor".
"Yes, you do, you stupid mick". He grunted, "look, you'll get a special buddy discount, huh? Pop will give you a good price".
Heffron sighed again;
"I'm still trying to pay off the damn phone bill".
Guarnere smirked;
"then quit calling me".
Heffron laughed;
"you always got something to say, Bill-"
"me?! You never shut the hell up and let me speak!"
Martin soon shut his friends up;
"fellas – quiet, huh?"
"What? We disturbing your genius thoughts, Johnny?" Heffron teased.
Shaking his head, a smile soon reached his lips;
"nope. Look at this, fellas".
Following his stare.
The four of them watched, while Grant walked into the pub.
He gave his three friends a smile;
"hey, fellas!" He called.
A few men were standing in his way.
Grant cleared his throat;
"I've 'gotta get passed, guys".
When the men cleared a space, Grant pushed his way through the gap.
And smiling, while being pushed in her wheelchair by Grant.
Was Charlotte.
"Alright there, lads?" She greeted, "how's it going?"
A spell of silence fell over the five of them.
And the smiles soon softened.
Just like they had said, they all met up for a drink after the war.
Guarnere was paying.
Because like they had all hoped;
They were home.