All's Fair in Love and War... Yeah Right.
Chapter 1
Trust the Force, Air Force That is.
They're leaving me. my only friends, my brothers. I've known them my whole life and now they're leaving. I've been up here for hours. No one has come looking for me. Here comes Danny and there's Rafe going to him, he looks worried, now Danny does. Here they come. God, I need to find a new spot, this one's no longer a secret, actually it hasn't been a secret in fifteen years. What happens if when they leave that'll be the last time I ever see them? What if they crash? I started to cry. Josephine Heather McCawley! Do not let them see you cry! Here they come, if I don't move I can hear them.
"Rafe, I assure you, she's up there. It's been the same for twenty years. She's up there," I heard Danny say.
"Well, we were worried, I couldn't find her, thought she had run away or somethin'."
"No, where would she go?"
Rafe shrugged.
"Jo? Jo, we're leaving now."
I climbed down, seeing no point in hiding still. I hugged them both.
"My God, Rafe we're as good as dead. She's cryin'," said Danny, hugging me again.
Then they left me. I didn't know whether I'd ever see them again. I went back inside and did my chores, forgetting about breakfast and lunch. Before dinner, Ma came up to me.
"Josephine, are you all right?"
"Jo."
"What?"
"I go by Jo, I've told you that for the past twenty years."
"And for the past twenty years I've been telling you, I'll call you what I please. Go wash up for dinner."
I washed up for dinner but ate next to nothing. My mother noticed this and began her usual dinner lectures.
"Josephine, eat something!"
"I'm not hungry."
"Don't play with your food. We'll never get you married off."
"I don't understand you. You're treating me like I'm five! Ma, I'm twenty three!"
"Then why are you still here?"
"Because there won't be anyone to help out here. I need to go out, but I don't."
"Oh, so now you're blaming your problems on us?"
"What?"
"You heard me."
"Mother, dear Mother, I've always blamed at least one of my problems on you. The rest were Rafe's doin's."
"On me? Not your father?"
"Pa doesn't say enough to cause any problems."
"So now you're saying that you're only staying here because of us?"
"No, I said that five minutes ago."
"Oh, Andy, we're keeping her from all her social engagements and friends."
"God! You always do that!"
I couldn't stand it! I got up from the table and went up to my room. I think Pa came up to talk to me, but he heard me crying and didn't come in.
(Ten months later)
There was a knock on the door after dinner, I was helping Ma clean up, so Pa went to get it. I heard some mumbling and then Pa.
"Jo? Okay. Jo! Someone here to see you!"
I hoped that it was Danny in one piece with good news. I got there and I saw skinny blonde haired green- eyed Bobby Jones. I had to make at least one friend while Rafe and Danny were gone, and he was that one.
"Hey Jo!"
"Hi Bobby."
"How're you?"
"Okay. What about you?"
"I'm great! I got a-- does your Ma always stare like that?"
I turned around.
"Ma, go away."
"Fine."
Ma went upstairs, but kept coming down 'for water' which was a big lie.
"What did you say you had, Bobby?"
"Huh? Oh yeah. I've got a question for you. Follow me."
I wondered where he had to go to ask me a question. I thought just to get away from my mother, boy was I wrong. I followed him to the swimming hole, the sun was setting, I thought it was really pretty, but I didn't pay much attention, I was looking at the sky, wanting to get in a plane and fly to Rafe and Danny so I could be with them. Bobby cleared his throat, and I looked over to my right, he wasn't there. God no, not this, please no! I looked down slowly. Damnit!
"Jo, will you marry me? I don't have a ring, but I'm savin' up fer one."
"Bobby, get up. I can't marry you. I can't leave my Ma and Pa and sayin' yes would break a vow I made."
"What's that?"
"Rafe and Danny gotta approve of you. And one more thing, Bobby, I don't love you. You're my friend, that's better than marryin' me. I tell you more stuff."
"I don't get to sleep with you."
My God he didn't just say that! I choked.
"Bobby, I gotta go, I've still got chores to do."
I left him there, when I was in the corn field, I ran home as fast as I could.
(Two months later)
"Josephine are you done with your chores?"
"Not yet Ma. I still have to dust Mister Walker's crops then milk Madeline."
"Okay."
I walked out of the house and over to the Walker's barn and brought out the plane and got it in the air. When I'm up in the sky I forget about Ma pestering me, me being alone here, and Rafe being in the war in Europe. A while later, I'm done I land the plane and see a man waiting for me.
"Hello, I'm Colonel Rabb, you're one of the best pilots I've ever seen. Would you be interested in joining the Army?"
I coughed, dusting the crops always makes me sound deeper.
"Great! What's your name by the way?" he asked, taking out some papers.
"Jo, sir."
He asked me a bunch of questions, then before he left he asked me one more question.
"What is your full name?" he asked.
"Josephine Heather McCawley, sir."
I took off my goggles, and rubbed my eyes. Then I realized he hadn't known I was a girl.
"Oh, you're a girl."
"What do you mean by that, sir?"
"Nothing, I'll ask Washington. We need all the help we can get, I'm sure you'll be able to get in. I might be able to get you in with the nurses, for bunking.'
"Nurses, sir? I'd like to stay as close to the base as possible, sir. I don't mind being with the boys, sir. I practically lived with my brother and his best friend, sir."
"I'll take you to Washington with me. Where do you live?"
"Through the corn field, sir."
"You're very disciplined. The Army likes that. I'll speak with your parents. Good night."
He put his hat on and went back to his car, and went toward the house. I put the plane away, told Mr. Walker that I was done. Then he handed me something.
"Happy Birthday. That man came in here and asked about you, so I figured that I should give it to you now."
"Thank you Mister Walker."
I smiled and ran home as fast as I could. I saw Ma arguing with Colonel Rabb, she was trying to keep anyone from taking me away from her. I watched them from the door..
"Sir, we'll sleep on it. If she goes, she'll meet you at the station at ten forty five. If not, she won't be there," said Pa.
I went around back to milk Madeline and then I came back around, Colonel Rabb had already left, and my parents were arguing.
"Molly, if she wants to go, she should. This has been her life- long dream. Let her go. We can hire a boy to help us out and the Walkers," pleaded Pa.
"No! I've lost one child to the air. I won't loose another!"
"Molly-"
"Don't Molly me."
"She's an adult, let her make her own decisions."
"As long as she's living here, she'll do as I say."
"Molly. Let her do what she wants."
"Andy, n-" Ma saw me, I took a step back. She sighed. "Fine, she can do what she wants."
I smiled, brought the milk and ran into the sitting room, and hugged her.
"Thank you Ma, thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me."
She hugged me back. We went up stairs and packed a suitcase and Ma got out a dress suit for me to wear the next day, and for once, I didn't argue. The next day, I got up, and had everything done by eight thirty. I had the tan jacket and skirt on and a white shirt under the jacket, and Ma had my blonde hair in an elegant bun. I grabbed my bags and Pa took me to the train station. I looked around and found Colonel Rabb waiting on the platform, looking around for me.
"Good morning, Colonel," I said, saluting.
He saluted back.
"At ease. I'm glad your mother changed he mind," he said, smiling.
"Yes, sir, so am I, sir."
We got on the train and talked. Then I remembered, my gift from Mister Walker. I got it from my bag and opened it. It was a photo. One of me, Rafe and Danny as kids. We were working on the Walker's plane, I was hanging upside down from the wing with a wrench. Danny was in front of the propeller with a screwdriver, and Rafe was in the plane with another wrench. All three of our faces were dirty. I laughed at the picture.
"What is that?"
"It's my birthday present from my friend's dad, Mister Walker. It's a picture of me Danny, and Rafe, my brother. We were fixin' Mister Walker's plane that day. He came in and took a photograph. I'd forgotten about this."
Colonel Rabb looked at it.
"So, where would you like to be stationed?"
"Anywhere you put me sir."
"Ready to follow orders, good."
"Where do you think they'll but me sir?"
"Pearl Harbor, most likely. We need more pilot there."
"Okay, sir."
When we finally got to Washington wee went directly to the White House. Colonel Rabb told me to wait outside the President's office, and I did, I waited for two hours. It would have been much easier if the President's secretary wasn't stating at me. Then again, the President's secretary wouldn't have been staring at me like that is he weren't a he. After an hour and a half he sat next to me.
"Hi."
"Hello," I replied.
"My name is Jackson Smythe."
"I'm Jo McCawley."
"Why are you here?"
"I'm hoping to join the Army, Colonel Rabb said I'm one of the best pilot he's ever seen."
He tried not to laugh, I helped him out by glaring at him. He swallowed what he found funny and began to talk about the weather. After a few minutes of that Colonel Rabb came out and got me.
"Thank you for saving me," I whispered as I passed him.
He laughed, and I spoke with the President. That evening we were on the train to California. We got there the evening before my birthday and then another man took a plane to Hawaii with and we spent the night in a hotel, next to the airport. The next day, that man took me to Pearl Harbor. The let me into the bunk and the men were doin various things, but I wasn't paying attention to them.
"Men, this is your new roommate. Treat her well."
Then the man left me standing there in a room full of men I didn't know. All but two drooling, one hadn't noticed me, and the other was mooning over a picture of his sweetheart. I looked at the picture Mr. Walker had given me, and I took a deep breath.
"What on Earth are you doing? I expect you to treat me no differently than the man next to you. Got that?"
The man who hadn't noticed me got up to leave, I didn't bother to look at him, that would have made me nervous. The he grabbed me by the arms, and jerked me in front of him. For a split second I almost kicked him, then he spoke.
"Jo?"
"Danny?"
"Jo!"
"Danny!"
Then he hugged me tightly.
"Y'all this is my little sister," said Danny.
"You told us you were an only child," said the one with a greasy wrench in his hand.
"I am, Gooz, I am. This is actually McCawley's little baby sis. We were all close and she was like my sister. What are you doing here?"
"I joined the Army, as a pilot. Just like I've always wanted," I said, proudly.
"And the government, not to mention your Ma, let you?"
"Yup. I met the President himself! And I had to beg Ma, when Colonel Rabb left after asking them. And I didn't go lookin' to be in the Army, neither. I was dustin' your Pa's crops when he came lookin' for me! I was so shocked, and so was he when he found out I was a girl. But he took me to Washington, and I've worn the same damn skirt for a week! I hate skirts. Will y'all excuse me so I can change real quick? Oh Danny, guess what today is."
"What?"
"What day did I get stuff from Rafe, but never you. Jeez, I even got somethin' from your Pa."
"What-- Oh! Happy Birthday! What did my Pa get you?"
I handed him the photo. He smiled and hugged me again. I went in to change clothes and when I came back out the men were all crowded around Danny.
"Hey, Danny! Does she have a beau?" asked the one called Goose.
"No, I don't. And you know you could ask me these questions, you don't have to tackle Danny for the answers," I said laughing.
The men turned around, embarrassed.
"W- w- w- wow. You- you- you're q- q- q - quick," said the redhead.
"Chill out Red, she won't bite," said Danny.
"G- g- g- good to know."
I laughed even harder
"Hey Jo, we're going out to-" started Danny, but someone knocked on the door.
Red answered it, as I got my hair out of my face.
"D- D- D- Danny, it's for you."
Danny took it and the color instantly drained from his face. I noticed this and got worried.
"What? Danny is it your Pa? What?"
He handed her the yellow telegram. I took it, somehow feeling what was coming. I read it as Danny put on his jacket and hat.
"Rafe McCawley is dead. STOP Crashed when shot down by Nazi plane. STOP--My God. No, no, not Rafe, he never did anything to deserve this," I said, trying not to cry, as I fell to my knees.
Danny fell to his knees in front of me, trying to comfort me.
"Jo, Jo listen to me. It's okay. Don't do anything stupid, in other words, something I wouldn't want you to do. I'll be right back."
He stood up and left, leaving me alone. After he left, the men took me out. We went to a bar and I got a little drunk, I can't remember anything else. When he got back he caught my eye.
"Go to sleep," he instructed me.
"Where'd you go?" I wondered.
"Rafe's girlfriend is also stationed here. I went and told her."
"He told me a lot about her."
"I know, I wrote it for him."
I laughed, it was an empty laugh.
"I don't know why, but I'm expecting him to come back, trying to get you to help him on another of his crazy antics," I said.
"I know, so do I."
"Bobby Jones proposed to me. I accepted."
I said this with ann absolute straight face. Danny choked.
"What?"
"Actually, I'm joking. I did the same thing. I told him that I had to take care of my parents, you and Rafe had to approve of him then I told him that I didn't love him, that we were friend. I told him that way I'd tell him more stuff. but he said that us being only friends he couldn't sleep with me and I left. Ma and Pa don't know about it. Ma would have yelled at me."
Danny laughed.
"I'm glad you said no."
The next morning I got up because I felt sick. I went into the bathroom and then came out to see Danny looking worried.
"What?" I asked
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Why?"
I sat down on my bed, not seeing all the other men watching us. I got my glass of water and took a long drink from it.
"Are you pregnant?"
I spit out my water all over his face. The men laughed, but Danny just sat there, eyes closed, and face wrinkled up. I took a towel and dried his face.
"No, and I'm sorry. We went out last night. I can't remember anything else though."
"Oh, okay. It's better that you were drunk."
I got dressed and then waited outside for the guys to get dressed. Several officers walked by, staring at me. One came up to me and started asking me questions.
"Are you waiting for your boyfriend, soldier?"
"No sir."
"Then what are you doing here?"
"Waiting for the men in here to get dressed so I can finish getting ready sir."
"What do you have to do to finish?"
"Put my hair out of my face so I can work properly.
"Aren't you going to brush it?"
"Do I have to sir? Is it a requirement sir?"
Danny opened the door behind me.
"Jo you can come back in. Sir."
"You are excused."
I went under Danny's arm, he was leaning against the door frame. I knew that officer meant Danny, but I made it look like I thought he was talking to me. Danny came back in, his face red.
"What's wrong?"
"When you left, he said you were clever, and that he had to find a way to get you alone in his room. Stay away from him."
"Trust me, I will."
"You know, Danny. If you get her drunk she'll do anything you want her to," said Gooz.
"Gooz, shut up!"
"We didn't make her do anything, Danny. When we told her it was time to leave and to get in the car, she said 'Whatever you say.' And that was it," said Red, honestly.
"You guys! You're not supposed to tell him that! Or my Ma, Pa, or Rafe! No one but us is supposed to know that!" I said.
Danny and I didn't talk much for a long time and three months later Danny stayed out late. One night I got real worried, I had become paranoid. I was pacing around the room.
"Ya know, Jo, if you keep doin' that, you'll wear a hole in the floor," said Goose.
"That's not funny. I'm worried about Danny, he's actin' real strange. Y'all know it, too. He's never acted like this. And he was actin' really, really odd when Rafe's girlfriend came in today. I haven't seen him since then."
Right when I said that, Danny walked in and I ran into him.
"What are you still doing up?" he asked, innocently.
"Don't play stupid, Daniel Walker, you know very well why I'm still up," I said, seriously.
"No, Mother, I don't."
"Don't play that with me. I didn't like it when we were kids, I don't like it now. Now, please tell me the truth, where were you?"
"Out. Do I have to tell you where I go all the time?"
"No, but it would be nice if you told us you were takin' a plane out with Rafe's old girlfriend."
"Her name is Evelyn."
"Do I look like I care? I was worried, anythin' could have happened to you. You know I'm paranoid, ever since Rafe died. You know that! I couldn't bear to loose my other brother. I'm sorry if I'm a pain in the butt! If you really feel that way, I'll ignore you, do you want me to? Because I will!"
"Jo, calm down. I'm sorry. I don't want you to ignore me, and you're not a pain it the butt."
He kissed me on the forehead and I went to bed, The next day, I decided to meet this Evelyn. When I walked in a bunch of women giggled.
"New recruits!" they all said together, all except one with dark hair, and pale skin.
"No, actually I've been here for about three months. I'm not a nurse, I'm a pilot. I'm lookin'-"
"A woman pilot? That's the biggest lie I've ever heard," said one with brown, curly hair and glasses.
"Here's my dog tags. I'm lookin' for Evelyn. I'm Jo McCawley."
"As in Rafe McCawley?" asked the pale one with dark hair.
"He was my brother, my best friend. Are you the newest addition to his fan club?"
"No, I'm Evelyn."
"Oh, well, I just wanted to say, not to keep my brother out too late or break his heart. Just a warning."
I turned to leave, they were becoming annoying.
"Your brother's dead."
I sighed and turned back around.
"No, my other brother. Danny Walker, he was my brother's best friend, mine too. He's like my brother, I call him my brother. Good day. Oh, and by the way. Which ever one of you is Betty. Red talks about you a whole lot. You're all he ever talks about. Don't tell him I told ya, though, he's kill me."
A young blonde blushed, and smiled. I left. A month later, Danny got a telegram, this time on white paper, so we knew it wasn't a death, but he left after reading it. I picked it up and read it, though somewhat slowly, as I have the same type of problem with letters as Rafe, although mine's not as bad. But I pocketed the letter when I was done and I ran to the hospital. When I finally made it there, I saw Rafe. He was looking from Danny to Evelyn, he hadn't seen me yet. I looked different. My hair was almost white, my skin was much darker, I had a lot of freckles, and my eyes no longer sparkled with joy. It had gone out that day Rafe and Danny had left me, the sparkle never to return.
"You two stay away," said Rafe to Danny and Evelyn, not seeing Jo.
"Rafe?" I said, hoping he'd hear me.
He did. He turned around. I ran up, jumped and hugged him, now he was holding me off of the ground. I was hugging him with both my arms and legs.
"Wings? What are you doing here? You didn't do anything against me too did you?"
"What? No! I'm here as a pilot, as I always wanted. I'll tell you about it."
"Tell me over a drink, I'm buying."
"Okay."
We went down to the bar on the beach and Rafe and I got drunk. All I remember is trying to break up a fight between Rafe and Danny. The owner called the MP and we ran to Danny's car and I fell asleep in the back seat with Rafe. When we woke up we looked toward the Harbor. I pushed Danny out of the way and I drove to the Harbor. We called the smaller airfield nearby, because we could never get off the ground here. This time Rafe drove, I sat in the back with the camera guy, who kept falling on me trying to 'film' the Japs behind us. When we got there Red and Gooz and there rest of them were there. Rafe, Danny and another guy got in the three planes that were ready and I grabbed some ammo from the ammo closet and loaded up another one. The guys all had guns and I got in the plane and took off behind Rafe and Danny. We three got up, that other man was shot down before he even got up, that made me kind of nervous, but I followed Rafe and Danny's lead. I got behind this Jap and I shot him down. And another one pulled out in front of me, I don't think he saw me, I didn't know, there was another one behind me, the one in front of me slowed down and the one behind me speed up. I shot at the one in front of me and got out of there. The other one kept close behind me.
"Wings, you okay?" asked Rafe.
"Yes, I'm fine. Let's show these Japs who they're messing with!"
Danny shot down three, and Rafe four.
"Jo, look out behind you!" shouted Danny.
"I see 'im. Damnit, he's shooting at me. Rafe I'm gonna fly by the tower, get them to distract him for about two seconds until I get behind him. Damn he hit my wing, I gotta do this quick."
"Josephine Heather McCawley, watch your language!" said Rafe.
"Shut up, Rafe. I can't stay up much longer!"
I flew by the tower, and they shot a few bullets at him, I got behind him and I pulled the trigger. He went down.
"Jo! Land! Land! Now!" Danny yelled at me.
"I am!"
I landed. We went to the hospital, it was there I decided I didn't like Evelyn. I'd think of a reason later. I guessed it was the way she looked at both Rafe and Danny.
Chapter 1
Trust the Force, Air Force That is.
They're leaving me. my only friends, my brothers. I've known them my whole life and now they're leaving. I've been up here for hours. No one has come looking for me. Here comes Danny and there's Rafe going to him, he looks worried, now Danny does. Here they come. God, I need to find a new spot, this one's no longer a secret, actually it hasn't been a secret in fifteen years. What happens if when they leave that'll be the last time I ever see them? What if they crash? I started to cry. Josephine Heather McCawley! Do not let them see you cry! Here they come, if I don't move I can hear them.
"Rafe, I assure you, she's up there. It's been the same for twenty years. She's up there," I heard Danny say.
"Well, we were worried, I couldn't find her, thought she had run away or somethin'."
"No, where would she go?"
Rafe shrugged.
"Jo? Jo, we're leaving now."
I climbed down, seeing no point in hiding still. I hugged them both.
"My God, Rafe we're as good as dead. She's cryin'," said Danny, hugging me again.
Then they left me. I didn't know whether I'd ever see them again. I went back inside and did my chores, forgetting about breakfast and lunch. Before dinner, Ma came up to me.
"Josephine, are you all right?"
"Jo."
"What?"
"I go by Jo, I've told you that for the past twenty years."
"And for the past twenty years I've been telling you, I'll call you what I please. Go wash up for dinner."
I washed up for dinner but ate next to nothing. My mother noticed this and began her usual dinner lectures.
"Josephine, eat something!"
"I'm not hungry."
"Don't play with your food. We'll never get you married off."
"I don't understand you. You're treating me like I'm five! Ma, I'm twenty three!"
"Then why are you still here?"
"Because there won't be anyone to help out here. I need to go out, but I don't."
"Oh, so now you're blaming your problems on us?"
"What?"
"You heard me."
"Mother, dear Mother, I've always blamed at least one of my problems on you. The rest were Rafe's doin's."
"On me? Not your father?"
"Pa doesn't say enough to cause any problems."
"So now you're saying that you're only staying here because of us?"
"No, I said that five minutes ago."
"Oh, Andy, we're keeping her from all her social engagements and friends."
"God! You always do that!"
I couldn't stand it! I got up from the table and went up to my room. I think Pa came up to talk to me, but he heard me crying and didn't come in.
(Ten months later)
There was a knock on the door after dinner, I was helping Ma clean up, so Pa went to get it. I heard some mumbling and then Pa.
"Jo? Okay. Jo! Someone here to see you!"
I hoped that it was Danny in one piece with good news. I got there and I saw skinny blonde haired green- eyed Bobby Jones. I had to make at least one friend while Rafe and Danny were gone, and he was that one.
"Hey Jo!"
"Hi Bobby."
"How're you?"
"Okay. What about you?"
"I'm great! I got a-- does your Ma always stare like that?"
I turned around.
"Ma, go away."
"Fine."
Ma went upstairs, but kept coming down 'for water' which was a big lie.
"What did you say you had, Bobby?"
"Huh? Oh yeah. I've got a question for you. Follow me."
I wondered where he had to go to ask me a question. I thought just to get away from my mother, boy was I wrong. I followed him to the swimming hole, the sun was setting, I thought it was really pretty, but I didn't pay much attention, I was looking at the sky, wanting to get in a plane and fly to Rafe and Danny so I could be with them. Bobby cleared his throat, and I looked over to my right, he wasn't there. God no, not this, please no! I looked down slowly. Damnit!
"Jo, will you marry me? I don't have a ring, but I'm savin' up fer one."
"Bobby, get up. I can't marry you. I can't leave my Ma and Pa and sayin' yes would break a vow I made."
"What's that?"
"Rafe and Danny gotta approve of you. And one more thing, Bobby, I don't love you. You're my friend, that's better than marryin' me. I tell you more stuff."
"I don't get to sleep with you."
My God he didn't just say that! I choked.
"Bobby, I gotta go, I've still got chores to do."
I left him there, when I was in the corn field, I ran home as fast as I could.
(Two months later)
"Josephine are you done with your chores?"
"Not yet Ma. I still have to dust Mister Walker's crops then milk Madeline."
"Okay."
I walked out of the house and over to the Walker's barn and brought out the plane and got it in the air. When I'm up in the sky I forget about Ma pestering me, me being alone here, and Rafe being in the war in Europe. A while later, I'm done I land the plane and see a man waiting for me.
"Hello, I'm Colonel Rabb, you're one of the best pilots I've ever seen. Would you be interested in joining the Army?"
I coughed, dusting the crops always makes me sound deeper.
"Great! What's your name by the way?" he asked, taking out some papers.
"Jo, sir."
He asked me a bunch of questions, then before he left he asked me one more question.
"What is your full name?" he asked.
"Josephine Heather McCawley, sir."
I took off my goggles, and rubbed my eyes. Then I realized he hadn't known I was a girl.
"Oh, you're a girl."
"What do you mean by that, sir?"
"Nothing, I'll ask Washington. We need all the help we can get, I'm sure you'll be able to get in. I might be able to get you in with the nurses, for bunking.'
"Nurses, sir? I'd like to stay as close to the base as possible, sir. I don't mind being with the boys, sir. I practically lived with my brother and his best friend, sir."
"I'll take you to Washington with me. Where do you live?"
"Through the corn field, sir."
"You're very disciplined. The Army likes that. I'll speak with your parents. Good night."
He put his hat on and went back to his car, and went toward the house. I put the plane away, told Mr. Walker that I was done. Then he handed me something.
"Happy Birthday. That man came in here and asked about you, so I figured that I should give it to you now."
"Thank you Mister Walker."
I smiled and ran home as fast as I could. I saw Ma arguing with Colonel Rabb, she was trying to keep anyone from taking me away from her. I watched them from the door..
"Sir, we'll sleep on it. If she goes, she'll meet you at the station at ten forty five. If not, she won't be there," said Pa.
I went around back to milk Madeline and then I came back around, Colonel Rabb had already left, and my parents were arguing.
"Molly, if she wants to go, she should. This has been her life- long dream. Let her go. We can hire a boy to help us out and the Walkers," pleaded Pa.
"No! I've lost one child to the air. I won't loose another!"
"Molly-"
"Don't Molly me."
"She's an adult, let her make her own decisions."
"As long as she's living here, she'll do as I say."
"Molly. Let her do what she wants."
"Andy, n-" Ma saw me, I took a step back. She sighed. "Fine, she can do what she wants."
I smiled, brought the milk and ran into the sitting room, and hugged her.
"Thank you Ma, thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me."
She hugged me back. We went up stairs and packed a suitcase and Ma got out a dress suit for me to wear the next day, and for once, I didn't argue. The next day, I got up, and had everything done by eight thirty. I had the tan jacket and skirt on and a white shirt under the jacket, and Ma had my blonde hair in an elegant bun. I grabbed my bags and Pa took me to the train station. I looked around and found Colonel Rabb waiting on the platform, looking around for me.
"Good morning, Colonel," I said, saluting.
He saluted back.
"At ease. I'm glad your mother changed he mind," he said, smiling.
"Yes, sir, so am I, sir."
We got on the train and talked. Then I remembered, my gift from Mister Walker. I got it from my bag and opened it. It was a photo. One of me, Rafe and Danny as kids. We were working on the Walker's plane, I was hanging upside down from the wing with a wrench. Danny was in front of the propeller with a screwdriver, and Rafe was in the plane with another wrench. All three of our faces were dirty. I laughed at the picture.
"What is that?"
"It's my birthday present from my friend's dad, Mister Walker. It's a picture of me Danny, and Rafe, my brother. We were fixin' Mister Walker's plane that day. He came in and took a photograph. I'd forgotten about this."
Colonel Rabb looked at it.
"So, where would you like to be stationed?"
"Anywhere you put me sir."
"Ready to follow orders, good."
"Where do you think they'll but me sir?"
"Pearl Harbor, most likely. We need more pilot there."
"Okay, sir."
When we finally got to Washington wee went directly to the White House. Colonel Rabb told me to wait outside the President's office, and I did, I waited for two hours. It would have been much easier if the President's secretary wasn't stating at me. Then again, the President's secretary wouldn't have been staring at me like that is he weren't a he. After an hour and a half he sat next to me.
"Hi."
"Hello," I replied.
"My name is Jackson Smythe."
"I'm Jo McCawley."
"Why are you here?"
"I'm hoping to join the Army, Colonel Rabb said I'm one of the best pilot he's ever seen."
He tried not to laugh, I helped him out by glaring at him. He swallowed what he found funny and began to talk about the weather. After a few minutes of that Colonel Rabb came out and got me.
"Thank you for saving me," I whispered as I passed him.
He laughed, and I spoke with the President. That evening we were on the train to California. We got there the evening before my birthday and then another man took a plane to Hawaii with and we spent the night in a hotel, next to the airport. The next day, that man took me to Pearl Harbor. The let me into the bunk and the men were doin various things, but I wasn't paying attention to them.
"Men, this is your new roommate. Treat her well."
Then the man left me standing there in a room full of men I didn't know. All but two drooling, one hadn't noticed me, and the other was mooning over a picture of his sweetheart. I looked at the picture Mr. Walker had given me, and I took a deep breath.
"What on Earth are you doing? I expect you to treat me no differently than the man next to you. Got that?"
The man who hadn't noticed me got up to leave, I didn't bother to look at him, that would have made me nervous. The he grabbed me by the arms, and jerked me in front of him. For a split second I almost kicked him, then he spoke.
"Jo?"
"Danny?"
"Jo!"
"Danny!"
Then he hugged me tightly.
"Y'all this is my little sister," said Danny.
"You told us you were an only child," said the one with a greasy wrench in his hand.
"I am, Gooz, I am. This is actually McCawley's little baby sis. We were all close and she was like my sister. What are you doing here?"
"I joined the Army, as a pilot. Just like I've always wanted," I said, proudly.
"And the government, not to mention your Ma, let you?"
"Yup. I met the President himself! And I had to beg Ma, when Colonel Rabb left after asking them. And I didn't go lookin' to be in the Army, neither. I was dustin' your Pa's crops when he came lookin' for me! I was so shocked, and so was he when he found out I was a girl. But he took me to Washington, and I've worn the same damn skirt for a week! I hate skirts. Will y'all excuse me so I can change real quick? Oh Danny, guess what today is."
"What?"
"What day did I get stuff from Rafe, but never you. Jeez, I even got somethin' from your Pa."
"What-- Oh! Happy Birthday! What did my Pa get you?"
I handed him the photo. He smiled and hugged me again. I went in to change clothes and when I came back out the men were all crowded around Danny.
"Hey, Danny! Does she have a beau?" asked the one called Goose.
"No, I don't. And you know you could ask me these questions, you don't have to tackle Danny for the answers," I said laughing.
The men turned around, embarrassed.
"W- w- w- wow. You- you- you're q- q- q - quick," said the redhead.
"Chill out Red, she won't bite," said Danny.
"G- g- g- good to know."
I laughed even harder
"Hey Jo, we're going out to-" started Danny, but someone knocked on the door.
Red answered it, as I got my hair out of my face.
"D- D- D- Danny, it's for you."
Danny took it and the color instantly drained from his face. I noticed this and got worried.
"What? Danny is it your Pa? What?"
He handed her the yellow telegram. I took it, somehow feeling what was coming. I read it as Danny put on his jacket and hat.
"Rafe McCawley is dead. STOP Crashed when shot down by Nazi plane. STOP--My God. No, no, not Rafe, he never did anything to deserve this," I said, trying not to cry, as I fell to my knees.
Danny fell to his knees in front of me, trying to comfort me.
"Jo, Jo listen to me. It's okay. Don't do anything stupid, in other words, something I wouldn't want you to do. I'll be right back."
He stood up and left, leaving me alone. After he left, the men took me out. We went to a bar and I got a little drunk, I can't remember anything else. When he got back he caught my eye.
"Go to sleep," he instructed me.
"Where'd you go?" I wondered.
"Rafe's girlfriend is also stationed here. I went and told her."
"He told me a lot about her."
"I know, I wrote it for him."
I laughed, it was an empty laugh.
"I don't know why, but I'm expecting him to come back, trying to get you to help him on another of his crazy antics," I said.
"I know, so do I."
"Bobby Jones proposed to me. I accepted."
I said this with ann absolute straight face. Danny choked.
"What?"
"Actually, I'm joking. I did the same thing. I told him that I had to take care of my parents, you and Rafe had to approve of him then I told him that I didn't love him, that we were friend. I told him that way I'd tell him more stuff. but he said that us being only friends he couldn't sleep with me and I left. Ma and Pa don't know about it. Ma would have yelled at me."
Danny laughed.
"I'm glad you said no."
The next morning I got up because I felt sick. I went into the bathroom and then came out to see Danny looking worried.
"What?" I asked
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Why?"
I sat down on my bed, not seeing all the other men watching us. I got my glass of water and took a long drink from it.
"Are you pregnant?"
I spit out my water all over his face. The men laughed, but Danny just sat there, eyes closed, and face wrinkled up. I took a towel and dried his face.
"No, and I'm sorry. We went out last night. I can't remember anything else though."
"Oh, okay. It's better that you were drunk."
I got dressed and then waited outside for the guys to get dressed. Several officers walked by, staring at me. One came up to me and started asking me questions.
"Are you waiting for your boyfriend, soldier?"
"No sir."
"Then what are you doing here?"
"Waiting for the men in here to get dressed so I can finish getting ready sir."
"What do you have to do to finish?"
"Put my hair out of my face so I can work properly.
"Aren't you going to brush it?"
"Do I have to sir? Is it a requirement sir?"
Danny opened the door behind me.
"Jo you can come back in. Sir."
"You are excused."
I went under Danny's arm, he was leaning against the door frame. I knew that officer meant Danny, but I made it look like I thought he was talking to me. Danny came back in, his face red.
"What's wrong?"
"When you left, he said you were clever, and that he had to find a way to get you alone in his room. Stay away from him."
"Trust me, I will."
"You know, Danny. If you get her drunk she'll do anything you want her to," said Gooz.
"Gooz, shut up!"
"We didn't make her do anything, Danny. When we told her it was time to leave and to get in the car, she said 'Whatever you say.' And that was it," said Red, honestly.
"You guys! You're not supposed to tell him that! Or my Ma, Pa, or Rafe! No one but us is supposed to know that!" I said.
Danny and I didn't talk much for a long time and three months later Danny stayed out late. One night I got real worried, I had become paranoid. I was pacing around the room.
"Ya know, Jo, if you keep doin' that, you'll wear a hole in the floor," said Goose.
"That's not funny. I'm worried about Danny, he's actin' real strange. Y'all know it, too. He's never acted like this. And he was actin' really, really odd when Rafe's girlfriend came in today. I haven't seen him since then."
Right when I said that, Danny walked in and I ran into him.
"What are you still doing up?" he asked, innocently.
"Don't play stupid, Daniel Walker, you know very well why I'm still up," I said, seriously.
"No, Mother, I don't."
"Don't play that with me. I didn't like it when we were kids, I don't like it now. Now, please tell me the truth, where were you?"
"Out. Do I have to tell you where I go all the time?"
"No, but it would be nice if you told us you were takin' a plane out with Rafe's old girlfriend."
"Her name is Evelyn."
"Do I look like I care? I was worried, anythin' could have happened to you. You know I'm paranoid, ever since Rafe died. You know that! I couldn't bear to loose my other brother. I'm sorry if I'm a pain in the butt! If you really feel that way, I'll ignore you, do you want me to? Because I will!"
"Jo, calm down. I'm sorry. I don't want you to ignore me, and you're not a pain it the butt."
He kissed me on the forehead and I went to bed, The next day, I decided to meet this Evelyn. When I walked in a bunch of women giggled.
"New recruits!" they all said together, all except one with dark hair, and pale skin.
"No, actually I've been here for about three months. I'm not a nurse, I'm a pilot. I'm lookin'-"
"A woman pilot? That's the biggest lie I've ever heard," said one with brown, curly hair and glasses.
"Here's my dog tags. I'm lookin' for Evelyn. I'm Jo McCawley."
"As in Rafe McCawley?" asked the pale one with dark hair.
"He was my brother, my best friend. Are you the newest addition to his fan club?"
"No, I'm Evelyn."
"Oh, well, I just wanted to say, not to keep my brother out too late or break his heart. Just a warning."
I turned to leave, they were becoming annoying.
"Your brother's dead."
I sighed and turned back around.
"No, my other brother. Danny Walker, he was my brother's best friend, mine too. He's like my brother, I call him my brother. Good day. Oh, and by the way. Which ever one of you is Betty. Red talks about you a whole lot. You're all he ever talks about. Don't tell him I told ya, though, he's kill me."
A young blonde blushed, and smiled. I left. A month later, Danny got a telegram, this time on white paper, so we knew it wasn't a death, but he left after reading it. I picked it up and read it, though somewhat slowly, as I have the same type of problem with letters as Rafe, although mine's not as bad. But I pocketed the letter when I was done and I ran to the hospital. When I finally made it there, I saw Rafe. He was looking from Danny to Evelyn, he hadn't seen me yet. I looked different. My hair was almost white, my skin was much darker, I had a lot of freckles, and my eyes no longer sparkled with joy. It had gone out that day Rafe and Danny had left me, the sparkle never to return.
"You two stay away," said Rafe to Danny and Evelyn, not seeing Jo.
"Rafe?" I said, hoping he'd hear me.
He did. He turned around. I ran up, jumped and hugged him, now he was holding me off of the ground. I was hugging him with both my arms and legs.
"Wings? What are you doing here? You didn't do anything against me too did you?"
"What? No! I'm here as a pilot, as I always wanted. I'll tell you about it."
"Tell me over a drink, I'm buying."
"Okay."
We went down to the bar on the beach and Rafe and I got drunk. All I remember is trying to break up a fight between Rafe and Danny. The owner called the MP and we ran to Danny's car and I fell asleep in the back seat with Rafe. When we woke up we looked toward the Harbor. I pushed Danny out of the way and I drove to the Harbor. We called the smaller airfield nearby, because we could never get off the ground here. This time Rafe drove, I sat in the back with the camera guy, who kept falling on me trying to 'film' the Japs behind us. When we got there Red and Gooz and there rest of them were there. Rafe, Danny and another guy got in the three planes that were ready and I grabbed some ammo from the ammo closet and loaded up another one. The guys all had guns and I got in the plane and took off behind Rafe and Danny. We three got up, that other man was shot down before he even got up, that made me kind of nervous, but I followed Rafe and Danny's lead. I got behind this Jap and I shot him down. And another one pulled out in front of me, I don't think he saw me, I didn't know, there was another one behind me, the one in front of me slowed down and the one behind me speed up. I shot at the one in front of me and got out of there. The other one kept close behind me.
"Wings, you okay?" asked Rafe.
"Yes, I'm fine. Let's show these Japs who they're messing with!"
Danny shot down three, and Rafe four.
"Jo, look out behind you!" shouted Danny.
"I see 'im. Damnit, he's shooting at me. Rafe I'm gonna fly by the tower, get them to distract him for about two seconds until I get behind him. Damn he hit my wing, I gotta do this quick."
"Josephine Heather McCawley, watch your language!" said Rafe.
"Shut up, Rafe. I can't stay up much longer!"
I flew by the tower, and they shot a few bullets at him, I got behind him and I pulled the trigger. He went down.
"Jo! Land! Land! Now!" Danny yelled at me.
"I am!"
I landed. We went to the hospital, it was there I decided I didn't like Evelyn. I'd think of a reason later. I guessed it was the way she looked at both Rafe and Danny.