AN: Ignore the introduction. What a mess haha Anyway, welcome to my new story! Hope you enjoy this one. Updates will be numerous times a week as always :)
"I can't afford this…".
"I'm sorry, Mr Bowie…if you can't pay this month, then your daughter will be discharged".
Sighing heavily, Gary Bowie stared down at the slip of paper in his hands.
He owed the hospital three hundred dollars. Usually, Gary could make the payments each month but after losing his second job as the school janitor, he was struggling to make ends meet. Not only did he have one daughter in the hospital, but he had one more at home, who had to drop out of high school in order to find work. But no one would take her as their employee.
Leaning against the pale wall, Gary ran a hand down his face;
"Rosie needs this place, doctor". He stressed, "she feels…comfortable and accepted here".
The doctor smiled sadly;
"and we love having her here, Mr Bowie. I can see you love your daughter a lot, you packed up and moved your girls to America for this very reason, so Rosie could get help. But there are other hospitals, not in Pennsylvania but I've heard of a good one in Kentucky".
Shaking his head, Gary whispered;
"no…no, this is the best hospital, doctor. Rosie deserves the best". With a tiny smile, the tired father added, "you all treat her with respect, doctor. We never got that back in Scotland".
The doctor placed a hand on Gary's shoulder and asked;
"what about your youngest daughter? Is she finding any work?"
Gary shook his head with a sigh;
"no one will hire her…she dropped out of high school, with nothing to show for it. They might have taken her on if she was a lad but…not my wee Robin".
"I admire you, Mr Bowie. Raising two girls by yourself".
Shaking his head, Gary whispered;
"they've been great, doctor. Never had any bother with them".
Letting go of his shoulder the doctor told him;
"there might be something I can do to help Robin".
Gary looked interested;
"like what, doctor?"
"You need the money, Mr Bowie". He reminded him, "and Robin needs employment. I'm a well-respected doctor, who graduated at the top of his class in psychology and medicine. Many of my work has been printed and read by thousands. So, if I were to offer my ideas, they would be taken very seriously".
Confused, Gary asked;
"what are you talking about?"
"As you know, Mr Bowie, the world is at war. Since the enemy bombed Pearl Harbour, thousands upon thousands of young men have enlisted in order to fight for freedom. During this time, a brand-new branch has opened up, giving men a big opportunity…and a bigger paycheck. The Airborne Infantry. Better yet, it's an experiment. But they plan on seeing it through. I happen to know the man who oversees the entire 101st Division. General Lee happens to be big on the idea of women joining the army. Though his ideas are a little outlandish, he'd be happy to know that he and I, share the same vision".
Frowning, Gary whispered;
"are you suggesting Robin joins the army?"
"Not just the army, Mr Bowie". The doctor corrected him, "the Airborne. They get an extra fifty dollars a month, Mr Bowie. That's more than Robin would make working in a store. And might I add, it's a far more rewarding job".
Shaking his head, Gary mumbled;
"no…no, she can't". He said, "I've…I fought in the Great War, doctor. She can't-"
"as did I". The doctor cut him off, "I was a doctor. It's how I became friends with General Lee. He's a very well-respected man, Mr Bowie. With my word, your daughter will join the Airborne".
…
She smiled;
"dad…I can't join the Airborne. I'm not a soldier".
Sitting down next to her on the couch, Gary told her;
"I wasn't either, pet. I worked the farm with my dad. But then the war happened, and everyone had to sign up, even my dad signed up".
"But he died, dad". Robin mumbled, "and…I might die too".
Gary shook his head;
"you're too smart to die, Robin".
She let out a quiet laugh;
"I'm not…I failed all my classes over here, dad".
Smiling softly, he told;
"that's not the smart I was on about, pet. You're smart in other ways".
Sighing, she said;
"I'm too scared, dad".
Gary frowned;
"me too, pet but I'm thinking of Rosie, eh? She needs this hospital. But I can't afford it".
"I thought you were doing fine?"
"I lied". He said quietly, "I didn't want to admit it, Robin. We're in serious trouble here".
Leaning back against the old secondhand couch, Robin pulled a thoughtful frown.
Tilting her head back, she stared up at the mouldy ceiling;
"how much is it?"
"Well, you'll get fifty a month…and another fifty on top of that for being in the Airborne". Gary said, "so, one hundred a month. You only have to send back fifty. The rest is yours".
"I didn't say aye". Robin mumbled.
Gary's lips twitched;
"no, but you're thinking about it, eh?"
"Just a wee bit".
"It's been three years since you dropped out of high school, you're nineteen now". He reminded her softly, "and you've still not got a job, pet. I didn't mind it at the start 'cause I had two of my jobs but…well, now I just have the one and I'm struggling with the bills, Robin. I can't-"
"right, okay". Robin cut her dad off, "fine…I'll do it".
The worst-case scenario was her either dying in training or dying out in battle. Either way, Robin had to help her dad and her older sister. And Gary was right, Robin wasn't getting anywhere in life from having dropped out of high school. For whatever reason, no one wanted to hire a Scottish uneducated woman. So, she was bound for the Airborne.
Word got back to her that she'd be joining the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, commanded by West Point graduate, Colonel Sink. It was stationed in someplace called Toccoa, a small town in Georgia. Robin was to join in September, meaning she only had a few weeks to get herself mentally ready to leave her dad and Rosie. Robin had never left her family before. She was terrified of missing them. Despite their struggles for money, Robin lived a comfortable life with her dad and older sister in America. The two sisters got two presents each on Christmas and one on their birthday. Gary would save all year round to get them something special. And having such a loving and accepting father, Robin and Rosie were never short on love and affection.
Hugging Gary at the train station, was Robin's hardest goodbye.
And Gary's.
"Love you, pet".
"Love you, dad". She mumbled into his chest.
He kissed the top of her head;
"I'm so proud of you".
Blinking back the tears and swallowing down the lump in her throat, Robin pulled away from the hug and took a step back. Giving him a tight smile and nod, she turned around and headed for the train, which had stopped at the platform. It wasn't a troop train, Robin decided to take a direct public train to Georgia. The doctor purchased her a ticket, which Gary promised he'd payback.
Before entering the train, Robin turned around and waved to her dad one last time.
His smile was tearful, but he waved back.
Then, turning around again, Robin stepped onto the train.
And headed for Camp Toccoa.