...
...
Things were tense between Winters and Astrid the next morning. After saying goodbye to the Winters's, the two Paratroopers left the family home and got on a train back to camp. Things were tense because Astrid didn't apologise for fighting in a pacifist's house and party. She didn't apologise to anyone for punching Brian in the face because Astrid believed he deserved it. Her knuckles were still bruised and sore from delivering those hard punches. But it was pain and Astrid accepted it – she liked it. After five or so minutes of silence, Winters looked up from his journal and stared at Astrid, who was sitting opposite her. Conversations had been brief, and to the point with the pair of them since last night. Winters wanted the dust to settle before they arrived at camp.
"Give me a reason why you punched that man last night".
Astrid continued to stare out of the window. Softly, she replied, "He hits Ellen".
Yeah, that was a good enough reason. He thought. But he knew Astrid wouldn't have done that if she was sober. Winters also knew Astrid wasn't an angry or violent person. Well, most of the time she wasn't angry or violent. She was softly spoken, quiet, and rarely cussed. "And you thought punching him was going to solve Ellen's problems?" Winters questioned.
She shrugged. "Yeah, maybe".
"What if it doesn't?" Winters continued to question. "What if you made things worse for her?"
Astrid frowned softly at the window. "I didn't".
"You aren't around to help, are you?" He said, "Astrid, you've 'gotta think before you react. I understand why you were angry, I'm angry that Brian hurts Ellen. But punching him in the face, is not the answer. Our actions have consequences".
"He's a bully". Astrid whispered. "It's not fair that he treats Ellen badly".
"No, it isn't". Winters agreed quietly. "I've written to Trent and Dorothy. They'll take it from here. Maybe Ellen will go back to them".
"Yeah, maybe". She mumbled softly. "I hope so".
"Me too, kiddo".
A feeling of guilt tugged at her heart. Because Astrid knew Winters had already forgiven her and she didn't even have to apologise for his forgiveness. If he wasn't around to pull her out of trouble and danger, Astrid wouldn't have lasted three days in America. She needed him, right from the start. Winters was hope, comfort, and security. And more often than not, a voice of reason. Astrid looked up at Winters. "I sometimes forget how to act in public after being trapped inside a room for so long". She said softly, "I'm just glad I've got you around to remind me how to act like an actual human sometimes".
A small smile lifted the corners of his mouth. "I know". Winters said, "And I don't mind helping you along the way, Astrid. I've never minded". He told her, "But you've 'gotta remember to pull some weight too, alright?"
"Yeah, of course".
"Alright, let's put this behind us". Winters said, "What are you 'gonna do about Ellen?"
Sighing softly, Astrid rubbed the back of her neck and shrugged. "Tell her I'm sorry. Even if I don't mean it. I just want to be her friend still".
"I think she was more embarrassed for Brian". Winters concluded.
"Yeah".
"But sorry is a good start". He smiled kindly at Astrid. "Maybe tell her you mean it though, huh?"
Lips twitching, Astrid nodded.
"You want coffee?" Winters asked. "They'll be serving coffee soon".
"Oh, have they got tea?"
"Probably". He said, "Do you want something to eat? You didn't eat breakfast".
Humming softly in thought, Astrid replied, "I'll see how I feel after a cup of tea".
Winters smirked. "Hungover?"
She huffed and shrugged. "Yeah, a little bit". After a short pause, Astrid asked, "Are we leaving Benning soon?"
"I'm not sure". He replied. "Guess we'll find out when we get back".
"Maybe we'll end up in Croft after".
Winters snorted. "That would be something, huh?"
"Was Sink serious?"
"About men getting drummed out who show up late? Probably".
Astrid frowned softly. "I hope no one from Easy turns up late".
"Yeah, it would be a shame". Winters said, "They've trained hard for their wings".
Changing the subject, Astrid decided to bring up the previous night. "Brian said he didn't like you that much".
Winters looked confused. "Why would he say that?"
She shrugged. "I think he says that about all the guys".
"What do you mean?"
"Maybe he doesn't want Ellen speaking to any man except him".
Winters sighed. "He's got issues". He said, "I can't remember us ever being that close if I'm honest. He was more of a mutual friend".
"It was a bit…weird". Astrid admitted softly, "Being around guys who haven't enlisted".
"I know". Winters agreed quietly. "It's like they don't know a war is going on".
"Yeah, that's how I felt".
"Things haven't changed in Lancaster". He said, "I'm not sure how I feel about that".
Frowning a little, Astrid told him, "Your parents worry a lot. They just won't show it to your face".
"I can tell". Winters murmured. "And I don't blame them for hiding their worry".
"I think it's changed the families of the enlisted a lot". She said, "But we just didn't see it because all your friends didn't enlist and don't have families who don't need to worry".
He nodded, agreeing with her. "Yeah, that's true".
Chewing on her thumbnail, Astrid turned her head to the side and looked out of the window. Winters brought out his journal and jotted some thoughts down. They sat in silence for a few minutes, waiting for the train's staff to offer them refreshments. Soon, Winters had his coffee and Astrid had a hot cup of tea. While the train thundered down the track, the two Paratroopers sipped at their hot drinks and talked about training, mostly.
"Remember when I got bit by that spider?"
Winters huffed. "You almost gave me a heart attack".
Shaking her head, Astrid smiled small. "I thought I was going to die".
"Nix wasn't much help".
She shrugged. "He was okay". She mumbled, "He kept me calm at the start…until I started feeling ill".
"We've been through a lot, huh?" Winters said fondly. "That horrible flu in Croft…remember that?"
Astrid shuddered. "Yeah, I do".
He smiled. "You handled that well". Winters said, "This was before your training, as well".
"I was so scared". She said, "I hate being sick".
"No one likes being sick".
Finishing off her tea, Astrid put the paper cup down. Looking over at Winters, she watched him read through his journal. She wondered how much Winters had written down since they first met him on the train to Croft. A lot had happened. His pages must have been filling up. Carson kept a journal too, Astrid noticed he'd mostly write before lights out. Christenson kept a journal as well. "Dick?"
Not looking up from the page he was reading, Winters replied. "Yeah?"
Softly, she told him, "Thank you".
"What for?"
Shrugging, Astrid leaned back against the seat. "Oh, just for everything, really".
Smiling gently, Winters looked up from his journal and ruffled her hair.
…
John Doe from Easy Company turned up late and he was drummed out of the Airborne. A handful of men from the Regiment were drummed out and to add to their embarrassment, the whole of the 506th witnessed the entire act. The drumming out ceremony made the men physically cringe and squirm with second-hand embarrassment. Colonel Sink would read out the names of those who were late in turning up. The men would approach the platform, where a Lieutenant would rip off their jump wings and order them to take off their boots and wear normal shoes. After, two armed Sergeant's would march them to a jeep and then empty their footlocker before the jeep took them out of the Airborne. The men who watched were relieved when it ended. There was a lesson to be learned from that event – don't be late and don't piss off Colonel Sink. The man kept his promises and warnings. Sitting in their barracks the same night of the drumming out ceremony, the men were especially quiet. So, Astrid decided to write out her letter to Ellen.
"Ellen,
I'm sorry. I shouldn't have punched Brian; it was wrong of me. I'm sorry that it added more drama and upset to your relationship and life. I only have the excuse of being drunk and stupid. What I want is for us to still be friends and continue writing to each other. I like reading your letters, they make me happy. Dick gave me a telling off for what I did, and I honestly feel really bad about it, Ellen. I hope you're okay and I hope you can forgive me.
So long, friend.
Astrid the medic".
It was slightly stressful. Astrid didn't mean to hurt Ellen. But Astrid did feel a little relief knowing she had apologised. It was the first step; the ball was in Ellen's court now. To her left, Carson was writing in his journal and to her right, Skip was writing a letter to Faye. It felt nice to be back with Easy Company after their furlough. Across from her, Jackson raised his head and looked over at Astrid.
"How was your furlough, Astrid?"
"Yeah, good". She replied softly. "Yours?"
Jackson smiled. "Felt great seeing my folks again". He said, "My little sister was tickled to see me. She had no idea I was coming home".
Smiling small, Astrid nodded. "Yeah, that's nice".
"You do much?"
"No, not really". She mumbled, "Just relaxed about the house".
"Were you with Winters?" Toye asked.
"Yeah".
Guarnere snorted. "What's the Quakers house like?"
Astrid frowned softly. "Pardon me?"
Malarkey rolled his eyes. "Jesus, Bill…he's not a Quaker".
"Yeah? We'll see". Guarnere remarked.
"Ignore him, Astrid". Skip told her lightly, "Did you have a good break?"
Still slightly confused by Guarnere's remark, Astrid nodded to Skip's question. "Did you?"
Smiling, Skip told her, "It was great. Saw my mom, brother, and sister. And of course, Faye".
"That's nice, Skip". Astrid said softly and then looked to Malarkey. "Did you see Bernice, Donnie?"
"Nope". Malarkey replied. "We're off again".
Rolling his eyes, Skip smirked. "Ah…young love". He said, "Off and on again like a light switch".
"I saw my parents". Malarkey mumbled. "And my grandmother".
"I mean, there has to be something between you and Bernice". Skip said, "You keep on going back with her, Donnie".
Sighing, Malarkey looked at his friend. "I don't know, Skipper. It's complicated".
"Why?"
Rubbing the back of his neck, Malarkey cleared his throat and told him lowly, "I lied. I saw her".
Skip grinned. "Oh, boy…what happened?"
"I – uh – I opened my big mouth, that's what happened".
"What did you say, Donnie?"
Malarkey looked a little nervous. "Well…she changed since I last saw her".
Skips eyebrows twitched. "Changed? How?"
"I guess – uh – she put on a little weight…".
Skip's face dropped. "You didn't…".
Malarkey grimaced. "I did".
"You told her she put on weight?"
"Yeah".
Skip huffed. "You-"
"idiot". Astrid cut Skip off softly. Giving her head a shake, she looked at Malarkey. "You're a massive idiot, Donnie".
Grinning, Skip nodded. "She's right, Malark".
"I know!" Malarkey stressed. He groaned into his hands. "I just – I'm worried to be with her".
"Why?" Skip asked.
Malarkey sighed. "I'm worried something's going to happen to me out there".
Frowning, Astrid shook her head. "You should have just told her that, Donnie". She said, "But you hurt her feelings instead".
"I'm a jerk". Malarkey muttered. "Grade A jerk".
Smirking, Skip winked at him. "Top of the class, buddy".
Folding the letter into an envelope, Astrid sealed it shut and left the barrack to the camp's small post office. Handing the letter over to a Corporal, she left the office and stepped back into cool, winter's night. Hands going into her pockets, Astrid stepped onto the pavement, just as a jeep drove past her on the road. The street lamps were on, and she could spot George Luz standing under a strip of light. A small smile tugging on the corners of her mouth, Astrid approached Luz and was soon standing next to him. Luz smiled at her, and his brown eyes softened tenderly.
"Hey, Astrid".
"Hello". She greeted back softly. "How was your furlough?"
Luz nodded. "Not bad". He said, "Not bad at all…yours?"
"Same". Astrid said, "But I did punch a man…twice".
Luz's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Is that so?"
"Yeah".
"Is he in hospital?" He asked, "Did you put the fella in hospital, Astrid?"
Smiling, Astrid shook her head.
"Too bad". Luz grinned. "Bet he deserved it, huh?"
"I think he did".
Chuckling quietly, Luz shrugged. "Well, congrats, Astrid".
She huffed out a tiny laugh. "Thanks". Astrid said, "He was a pacifist who hit women".
Luz laughed. Thinking she was kidding him on. But her eyes told a different story. "Shit, really?" He stopped laughing when Astrid nodded. Luz cleared his throat. "The bastard did deserve it, huh?"
Giving a nod ahead of them, Astrid took a step forward and Luz followed. "I always wanted to fly planes". She told Luz out of the blue. "When I was a kid".
Luz smiled. "I wanted to perform or something".
"I can see that".
"Yeah?"
"Yeah". Astrid mumbled. "Maybe comedy or something".
His smile widened. "I like making people laugh".
"Why?"
Luz shrugged. "Nice to hear". He said, "Some people just need a good laugh, 'ya know". He kicked a stone away and it rolled onto the road. "If you find something to make you laugh every day, then you're 'gonna be okay. You're still alive cause you can't laugh if you're dead".
"That's offensive to ghosts".
Looking at her, Luz chuckled. "You made a joke". He said, "You never make jokes".
Smiling small, Astrid looked back at him and shrugged. "I have my moments".
Bringing out a cigarette, Luz placed it between his lips and lit it up. "You know, I don't know nothing about your parents".
The smile left her face. "Oh". Astrid said softly, "Well, pappa was a bus driver. And mamma was a dinner lady at the school before she had Svein".
"Bus driver, huh?" Luz commented gently. "That Island of yours big enough for a bus?"
"Yeah, it is". She confirmed quietly. "It's a nice place".
"What about Svein?" Luz asked, "What's big brother like?"
"Quiet". Astrid softly said, "Tall, kind. And he plays piano wonderfully".
"Do you play?"
She shook her head. "No – um – no, I can't play".
Sighing, Luz jokingly told her. "I just play the fool".
Smile playing on her lips, Astrid looked down at the ground. "I think you play more than a fool, George". She told him, almost shyly.
Smiling softly, Luz nodded slowly. "Uh…thanks, Astrid. I think – was that a compliment?"
She shrugged. "Maybe".