It was strange, sitting inside a pub in Rheims.
The last time Easy had ventured into the city, the entire pub broke out into a huge fight. Tables were thrown across the room, as were chairs. Fists collided into faces; bottles were smashed. And eventually, the military police broke the fight up. But after coming off the line this time around, men were quiet and too tired to fight. They enjoyed a very civil beer. Of course, the whole of France was different that time around.
In Mourmelon, they no longer slept inside barracks.
Instead, they were billeted in twelve-man tents.
Nights weren't as wild as they used to be. They didn't plan on raising hell. The men just wished for peace and quiet. They wanted hot meals, hot showers and a bed to sleep on. Though they did not have wooden walls to shield them from the rain and wind, tents did them just fine. It was a luxury. Men weren't tormented by shells or heavy artillery. Instead, they had yelling NCO's to wake them up each morning. It was heaven.
Music played in the background.
It was a French song, but the Americans didn't yell for the bartender to change the station. They were happy, the song didn't bother them. Topics were light, they were mostly about home. For the first time, they could discuss the future. It was interesting, hearing what the men wanted to achieve after the war. Most men wanted to marry their sweethearts, get a job and start a family. Some had college on their minds, relationships pushed to one side. Others were just content with living in peace.
Dallin looked forward to a day without war.
More importantly, she looked forward to her life with Shifty Powers.
"You've 'gotta pick one".
"That ain't fair".
"It's how it works, Shifty". McClung reminded him, "so, who's it 'gonna be, huh?"
Sighing, Shifty looked between Popeye and McClung.
Leaning back against his chair, he shook his head;
"I ain't 'gonna pick".
Popeye flicked the bottlecap towards Shifty;
"you've 'gotta give me time to write the damn speech, Shift".
McClung smirked at Popeye;
"yeah…cause as we know; Popeye don't have many profound thoughts".
Shifty's eyes looked over at Dallin, who was at the bar, buying the next round.
Leaning forwards, he reminded them;
"I ain't even asked her yet".
"Times-a-ticking, pal". Popeye said, "you 'oughtta ask her".
"Yeah, I would". McClung added, "been long enough".
Shifty could feel his lips twitch;
"I will". He said, "ask her, that is…but I don't even got a ring".
"She don't need a ring". Popeye remarked, "make one".
"That ain't proper at all". Shifty mumbled, "Dill deserves a ring, Popeye. And a good one at that".
"How much you got saved?" McClung asked.
He shrugged;
"few hundred".
"That's enough". McClung approved, "you'd get a good rock with a few hundred, Shift".
"But it's 'gotta be more than good". Shifty said quietly, "it's 'gotta be…the best".
Popeye rolled his eyes;
"Jesus…".
"Shut up". McClung muttered to Popeye, "kids in love…let him spoil the girl".
When noticing Dallin walk back over, Shifty shut his bickering friends up.
Getting up, Shifty helped Dallin carry the tray over to the table. Beers were shared out between the four of them. Sitting down next to Shifty, he took her hand and kissed her knuckles. Popeye and McClung grinned at the couple. And, noticing their grins, Dallin pulled a confused face.
"Why…do you smile like that?"
They both shrugged, giving out their excuses;
"we're drinking beer-"
"wars almost over".
"Oh". She mumbled, "yes…the war is…winding down".
"Not long 'till the Krauts all surrender". Popeye said, "then it's home-time. Schools out".
"Ah, you're forgetting". McClung hated to burst his bubble, "Pacific is still going on".
Popeye sighed;
"you think they'll send us there?"
Shifty cast a worried look between the three of them.
Shaking his head, he told them softly;
"oh, well…we've surely done our duty. We 'oughtta be going home soon".
They all hoped Shifty was right.
No one wanted to step into another war.
When a small frown appeared on Dallin's face, Shifty gave her hand a squeeze;
"do you 'wanna dance?"
She looked confused;
"we…never do that".
Smiling, he shrugged;
"why, let's start now".
Taking off her jacket, Dallin was soon pulled onto her feet. Men from Easy cleared a small space, where they created a dancefloor in the middle of the pub. Their hands clasped together, while her hand went on Shifty's shoulder, he took hold of her waist. Looking up at him, her eyes softened, as they slowly danced in circles to the gentle music playing in the background.
"The men…do they know?" She asked him.
"Know what, baby?"
Her lips twitched;
"that…you are mine?"
Shifty smiled;
"you're asking me to be yours, Dill?"
Dallin nodded;
"yes…because you don't"
He chuckled;
"I would've…was just 'gonna wait until it was someplace special".
"So…will you be mine?"
"I've always been yours, Dill". Shifty mumbled, "and I hope you keep me forever. Cause I sure ain't letting you go anytime soon".
Nodding slowly, she concluded;
"the men do not know".
Shifty huffed out a laugh;
"I ain't sure what they'd make of it, Dill. Maybe one of them will rat us out, tell Speirs or Winters".
Shaking her head, Dallin assured him;
"Winters would not mind…he is very…kind".
"He surely is a fair man". Shifty agreed, "and I can't keep nothing from Popeye and Earl".
"I know". Dallin smiled.
Looking around him, Shifty noticed a few curious stares their way. It looked like an innocent dance between two friends. But for some, they sensed something more. Shifty was as proud as punch to call Dallin his and the war was winding down, whatever consequences he faced, didn't bother him anymore. Staring back at Dallin, he thought of her as perfect. Letting go of her hand, his hand went to the side of her face.
Head tilting to the side, he leaned down.
And their lips met.
Someone whistled and called out;
"get a damn room!"
…
Knocking on his office door, Dallin was soon granted permission to enter. It was a very long process, trying to get an appointment with Colonel Sink but after going through Winters and Strayer, Sink accepted her invitation. As she had requested, the man was alone. She stood before his desk, standing at attention and saluted him.
Sink nodded;
"take a seat, Sergeant".
Pulling out a chair, Dallin sat herself down.
Sink poured out a glass of whiskey;
"drink?"
"Yes…thank you, sir".
He handed her the glass and poured one out for himself;
"I don't get many requests from NCO's, Sergeant". Sink told her, "I believe, this might be the first".
Taking a sip of whiskey first, she told him;
"this is…a very…risky favour, sir".
Sink looked interested;
"I'm listening, Gorski".
Dallin could feel her breathing pick up when saying;
"Poland…is free".
"It is". He confirmed, "Red Army and the Poles pushed the Nazis from the east. Your country has been free since January, Sergeant".
Licking her bottom lip, she whispered;
"I have to…go, sir".
He raised his eyebrow;
"out of the question. It's too far away. And it's too damn risky, Sergeant".
Shaking her head, Dallin told him;
"it is…safe, sir". She said, "no one…blocks Poland. They would let me inside, sir. I wear American uniform. It is not risky, sir…not right now".
"I'm more worried about the Russians".
"They will be…pushing into Germany". Dallin said, "they do not care about Poland, sir".
Sink's voice sounded kind when telling her;
"I know you 'wanna see your home again, Gorski. But the men also 'wanna see home. You understand? It wouldn't be fair".
Dallin's shoulders dropped.
Because Sink was right.
It wasn't fair.
She took another sip of whiskey and grimaced;
"I do not like…".
Sink smiled with amusement;
"my apologies, Sergeant. But back home, nothing beats a good whiskey".
With a smile of her own, Dallin's eyes wandered across his desk.
Her stare eventually stopped a framed photograph.
Smile softening, she asked;
"you have wife and children, sir?"
"I do". Sink confirmed, "been married to Margaret for some years now. That's my two sons and our only daughter, Robin. She's the youngest".
"She looks like your wife, sir".
"She does". Sink said, "I have high hopes for my children, Sergeant Gorski. Before I was assigned to the 506th, all I wanted was for my Robin to marry a nice gentleman and settle down, with children of her own".
"Yes…my Abba wants me to marry boy from Israel".
Smiling, Sink added;
"however, I've had a change of heart". He said, "I hope you understand, Sergeant Gorski, you've done something quite remarkable for young women across the world".
Dallin frowned and looked at him;
"me?"
He nodded;
"tell me, have you ever heard of a female Paratrooper, a Sergeant at that, leading her own men?"
She shook her head.
Sink's smile widened;
"I believe, my Robin will accomplish many things in life, Gorski. Many great things. I wouldn't wish her to live through war, but I hope her to be strong, brave and extraordinary…such as yourself, Gorski".
Dallin wasn't expecting those comments from Sink.
Clearing her throat, she whispered;
"well…she has you as her father, sir…Robin will do…very well in life".
Leaning back against his chair, Sink said;
"I hope you have some idea of what you want to do after the war, Gorski".
She was going back to Clinchco with Shifty.
But Dallin couldn't tell him that.
Shrugging, she said;
"I just…want to be normal, sir".
Sink smiled;
"you deserve that, Sergeant".
With a tiny smile of her own, Dallin mumbled;
"when I first meet you, sir…I was running away from Poland…now, I ask to go back".
Sink hummed;
"I remember that day well". He said, "I'm glad I put you in Easy, Sergeant. You've done well".
"I am…very lucky, sir".
Dallin finished off her whiskey, saluted Sink and left his office. She was a little sad at the refusal to see her country again but understood the Colonel completely. Dallin was just relieved that Poland was finally free, and she hoped Leon was still alive to celebrate the news. When walking into the tent she shared with others, she noticed a crate of vodka. Her friends had heard the news and wanted to further celebrate with Dallin.
Picking up a bottle, she asked;
"do I want to know...where you get these?"
"Nope". Grant smirked, "just be happy we go them".
"They weren't cheap". Malarkey joked.
"Yeah, 'cause we stole them". Eddie Joint grinned.
Rolling his eyes, Heffron muttered;
"idiot…you weren't supposed to tell her that".
Shaking her head with a tiny chuckle, Dallin popped open the bottle;
"czl owiek nie ad, pic musi!"
And then took a long sip of vodka.
Grant was about to drink but asked;
"what're we toasting to?"
Smiling, she told him;
"man is not a camel, he must drink".
"To camels!" Heffron announced.
"To camels!" The others cheered.
Wally spat out the vodka as soon as it reached his throat;
"what the hell is this?!"
Heffron grimaced;
"probably shouldn't have looted the whole fucking crate".
"You'll get used to it". Malarkey said, in a rather hoarse voice.
"Eventually". Grant added.
"It's like gasoline". Bellino said, "but if Dill can handle it, then we can too".
Dallin was glad that her friends wanted to celebrate with her, and she was ecstatic that her country was finally free from the Nazis, but she could only begin to imagine how devastated Poland would be now. A lot of children would be orphaned, families had been torn apart. And innocent blood had been spilt on the streets. For Dallin, it was an evening to celebrate but to also mourn the loss of thousands of lives.
Sitting down on her bed, Dallin took another sip of vodka.
Malarkey smiled sadly at her;
"okay, Dill?"
With a tiny nod, she mumbled;
"yes…I am fine, Donnie".
He sat down next to her;
"you don't look in the mood to celebrate".
"I think". Dallin whispered, "I think about Poland…it will be very quiet now".
Frowning, Malarkey nodded and mumbled softly;
"suppose it will, huh? You put up a good fight".
"Yes…they did". Dalli agreed, "but I do not trust Russians".
He snorted;
"I don't blame you…they're a bunch of scary sons of a bitches".
Looking up at Malarkey, Dallin admitted to him;
"I ask Sink to go back home".
"I figured you would". He said softly, "and I'm guessing the Colonel said no?"
"He did". Dallin confirmed quietly, "I agree with him…I don't think I go back home again. I have new home. In Clinchco, with Shifty".
Malarkey smiled;
"he's a lucky guy, Dill".
She shook her head;
"I am lucky one, Donnie. He saves me".
Malarkey clapped her shoulder;
"you're both lucky". He murmured, "so, what're you 'gonna do in Virginia?"
Dallin sighed.
And decided to give Malarkey the same answer as Sink;
"to live normal life again".
He huffed out a laugh;
"feels weird talking about home again".
Letting go of her shoulder, Malarkey rubbed the back of his neck, adding;
"wouldn't have talked so much about it in Bastogne".
A small shiver rolled down Dallin's spine.
Men still looked tired from Bastogne. Some suffered from terrible nightmares, that left them screaming and paralyzed to their beds. Dallin couldn't shake the feeling of her body still feeling the effects of being cold for months. They had gone through hell.
"Thinking about a pass to London". Malarkey said, changing the subject, "probably go alone".
She frowned;
"you want to be by yourself, Donnie?"
He nodded;
"yeah…think it'll do me some good".
Sighing, Dallin gave his arm a pat;
"look after yourself, Donnie".
"I will…don't you worry 'bout me".
Looking at her, he smiled small;
"and you? Think Shifty is 'gonna take you someplace nice?"
"I don't think there is anywhere nice in Europe left, Donnie". Dallin whispered, "I look forward to returning to America…".
"Paris is nice".
Dallin huffed;
"it is?"
"Yeah…still got that tower, you know".
"When I visit Paris…we do not see tower. Popeye throws cat at waiter".
Malarkey looked confused;
"pardon me?"
"I would not mind…visiting the countryside". Dallin said, "a very quiet place".
He smiled;
"Aldbourne?"
"Somewhere in Britain". She said softly, "it would be nice to see the village again".
When the tent flaps opened, Dallin looked up to see who had entered.
It was Vest.
He was holding an envelope, Dallin assumed it was addressed to one of her friends inside the tent, but Vest was making his way towards her. She was confused. Getting onto her feet, Vest handed her the letter.
"Thank you". She whispered, with a small frown.
He smiled;
"you're welcome, Sarge".
When Vest walked out of the tent, her friends faced her.
"You 'gonna open it?" Grant asked, sharing her frown, "you don't usually get letters, Dill".
Nodding, Dallin opened the envelope and brought out a letter.
She read it all inside her head;
"Dallin,
My heart is broken. I don't think I will ever heal. Walter informed me about Carl, one day after he received the letter written by your Captain. Know that I don't hold any grudge over you, sweetie. The promise I asked you to make back in Chicago, wasn't realistic. Because war is cruel, and it will take whoever it pleases. Carl was my only love. If the world could ever see some sense, I had hoped to marry him one day. I hope you don't think of me as naive for thinking that, Dallin. But like you, I know there is always a chance that the world may become a kinder and more understanding place to live.
When Carl wrote to me, he always mentioned you, sweetie. He was so proud of you and hearing that you were doing such great things, made me just as proud. I wish that bullet wasn't intended for him, Dallin. Life will be so dull and colourless without him.
Please, come by and see me in Chicago when you return to the States. I miss you greatly.
Love,
Fred".
Dallin blinked the sting out of her eyes.
"Who was it?" Malarkey asked her quietly.
Shaking her head, she whispered;
"Carl's sweetheart".
With a small sigh, Dallin put the letter inside her pocket;
"I will…get some air outside now".
Grant frowned;
"you okay?"
"Yes…I am fine".