The newly engaged couple cuddled up on the couch, Erin sniffling a little as she dried her happy tears. Jim Bob sat with Ginny on his lap, listening to the old radio. The twenty year old wasn't that interested in girls anymore, so you could rely on him for an honest answer about pretty much anything without him zoning out. Serena, Jeffrey and John Curtis, or-as Mary Ellen had named them- The Three Troublemakers, played hide and seek upstairs. That left Jonsey and Mary Ellen plenty of time to talk.

Grandma was sleeping, as today was one of her bad days. On her good ones she could do what seemed double the amount of work she used to, but when she had a bad day it was the opposite. Elizabeth and Emma cleared up the dishes and wiped the table down. Reckless, who was very old now, fifteen, lay beside the back door.

"Emma, were you scared to date Ben? To get married?" Elizabeth said softly.

Emma nodded slowly. "Yeah, I sure was. Why, something goin' on with Drew?" She teased.

"Not really. I-I mean, I guess he is gonna join up after he graduates if the war keeps up like this. I'm so scared," Elizabeth paused and blinked back tears. "They could die anytime. I hate war. I hate it, hate it, hate it."


It was dark. Ben could hear the sloshing of the water, it almost seemed to be in his ear drum. The beating on his heart seemed to echo and he could feel his pulse if he lay on his wrist. It was squished in the cabin that he shared with five other men. They were all as apprehensive as each other.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a letter that Emma had given him the previous night. A last letter.

Dear Ben,

I don't know when you will read this. Maybe you won't. You probably will, actually. I just don't know when. Well, we will miss you a lot. I love you. Take care of yourself, don't get into any pointless fights. Reserve your strength. Stay safe. You have to keep living for us.

Love, Emma

Ben closed his eyes and breathed in the faint scent of home. He was anywhere but home. He was on his way to Japan.

One of the boys, Matt, sat up and let out a loud chuckle. "A letter from your girlfriend?"

"Wife, actually." Ben nodded at Matt.

"You old enough to be married? To be here even? You look like you just got out of high school, red boy." Matt sneered. Ben clenched his fists, but kept his voice nice and even.

"I'm twenty three, thanks." Ben put the letter back in his pocket and rolled on his side. Maybe he would get some uncomfortable sleep.


Emma walked into Ike's store, the doorbell ringing behind her. Instantly, John Curtis led Ginny over to the candy and they stood, transfixed at all the kinds they could get and devour in a matter of minutes. Emma said hello to Ike before picking up a bag of potatoes. She payed, then noticed Corabeth come down from the back of the store.

"Oh, Mr Godsey, couldn't you have told me she was here?" She put a hand on her forehead. "Oh Emma, this war is so horrid. I'm now glad I didn't have a son, as you don't know where he could end up!"

Emma smiled weakly, but inside her stomach was churning.