Emily - 1942

Emily leaned exhausted against the dark mahogany butler's buffet which doubled as a bar and storage cabinet in her father's study. She was fatigued from the conversation she was having with her parents. She had waited until they had finished at least one of their evening cocktails before interrupting them with her news, but the liquor wasn't doing her any favors.

"Do you really want to do that to your mother?" her father demanded. Her mother clutched her handkerchief dramatically to her chest for effect.

Emily sighed, "of course I don't want to upset anyone but with John gone-,"

"I knew we shouldn't have let her work at that firm." Her mother may as well have been referencing hell the way she spat that last word.

"And after we invested in your education! There's plenty to do here on the home front. An accomplished young woman like you," her father continued on his tirade.

"But that's exactly the point, Dad!" This argument was going in circles but Emily couldn't stop herself, "I'm educated, I have a lot more to offer than just working in a factory!"

"You are dear," her mother said reassuringly, "but do you really think they'll need you? There are plenty of young men signing up! Do you really think they'll have any need for you in the army? Them military really isn't the place for-"

"I think so! Men will be needed for soldiering," Emily cut her off, "women - I - can work as staff! Typing, filing, researching, stuff like that! The army needs people for that." Emily wasn't sure how true that was but she was gambling that her parents didn't know either.

Her father shook his head angrily, "this is what happens when women get a male's education."

"Dad," Emily hissed.

"We sent you to that school so you could meet a fella. You were meant to establish yourself as a dignified young woman."

"Which I did!"

"Which she did," her mom added simultaneously.

Emily exhaled exasperatedly, "look, I have every intention of settling down with John. But for the time being, while he's gone, I want to do something meaningful with my time. I want to contribute to the war effort in the best way I can."

Emily's father opened his mouth to argue.

"Look, I'm twenty, I don't need your permission anymore."

"Oh is that the game we're going to play?" her father challenged, "What are you going to do about money huh?" "I have a job-"

"I could close that bank account of yours, missy."

That scratch of a threat re-opened a very raw point for Emily and it took all of her willpower to keep her voice coaxing and persuasive, "If I have to I'll cash out what I can. But," she said as her father made to respond, "I would much prefer having your support, Dad." She coated her voice in every bit of honey she could muster. Emily knew she was right there with her Dad, he was about to cave. She had always been a Daddy's girl despite their near-constant battles. She recognized that his argument was getting more erratic, emotional. This was her moment to go in for the kill; when he stopped arguing with calm logic.

"I'm just going to be working an office job, something completely respectable. I'll wear a uniform and work with officers and academics."

"And you won't consider nursing?" her mother asked.

Emily shuddered at the thought of working with flesh, "no, I already have academic and professional training. There's no time to start completely new. I want to help now."

"What does John say?" her father's voice was still demanding but had lost some of its fire.

"Uh, I haven't told him yet."

"If he's okay with it, fine." Her father threw back the rest of his scotch and picked up his book. The conversation was over.

Telling John was a whole other thing. Emily hadn't fully intended on asking John's opinion, or permission. In fact, she had no intention of telling him anything until she had secured a position she was proud of. What did he have to do with it anyway? He was with the Marines now, he had no power over her. He barely seemed to have time to write her anyways. If she was supposed to wait for her fiancee to give his approval the war might be over before Emily got a chance to participate. No, she would write to John, tell him everything but she would tell her father he supported her sooner than later.

Emily was surprised when she got a response from John quicker than she expected. He hadn't responded to her letter from two weeks ago and within a week of her latest letter containing her news he had responded.

My dearest, the letter had begun, although John had never called her my dearest before. Thank you for your last letter. Each one I receive is a treat. I don't have a lot of time to write but want you to know I love you and miss you. I can't wait for the next time we see each other. All my love, John.

The letter was brief, and oddly vague. It wasn't at all what she had expected but it counted as a confirmation in her eyes, and more importantly in her father accepted it.

"Did you tell John what you'll be doing?" her mother asked as she wrapped a scarf around her neck. A train whistled loudly across the tracks. Her family stood with her on the platform as she waited for the train that would take her to Virginia to arrive.

"Mom," Emily clawed the scarf away from her neck, "it's barely September. I'm hot."

"Well don't complain to me if you get a chill," her mother chided through pursed lips.

"I couldn't tell him much," Emily answered her question, "I'm not allowed to say much. He knows as much as you two."

"You're going to draw maps?" her Dad asked.

"Sort of," Emily sighed, this was the hundredth time she had explained her new position with the O.S.S. to him, "it's cartography, it's more involved than just drawing."

"And you know how to do that?"

"I got my degree in Geography, Mom."
"Well, I didn't realize," her mother assumed a familiar tone of offense.

Emily tried to recover their farewell, "I'll miss you guys."

"Right, well," her Dad's chin quivered slightly, "keep us updated on your progress." Emily kissed his cheek and then her mother's.

"I will, love you guys."

"And you darling." Her mother gave her hand a little squeeze and then they were off, leaving Emily behind to find her way to her train.