All's Fair in Love and War... Yeah Right
Chapter 5
Inga? Who's Inga?
"Where am I?" I asked, in German.
"At out humble camp, m'lady," said one of them, bowing.
Nazis. Great. And I'm tied up, so no seduction can be used at the moment. Well, I can just act like a cute little German girl who was captured by the Allies, no that wouldn't be good if they attacked. I'll say that I just acted like one of their nurses to keep them from killing me. There. That's what I'll say.
"How did a beautiful young lady like yourself get in such an awful camp?" one asked me, in German. (A/N: All of this conversation will be in German, but will be written in English)
"They came through our village, and I posed as one of their nurses to keep them from killing me. I won't be accused of treason will I?" I said.
"No, miss. We rescued you. We thought you were a prisoner," said another.
I counted about ten of them, I couldn't escape through fighting, I'd have to talk my way out.
"Not true! You thought she was one of them!"
"I did not!"
"Boys! Stop arguing! It doesn't matter what you thought I was. What matters is that you have an innocent woman tied up," I said, then I smiled.
That did it, they fell all over each other to untie me. The one who was obviously in charge, took my hand and led me to his room. Well, what the hey! I'm doing this for my country. And note to self: Never ever tell Rafe about this!
"Well, miss, what is your name?"
I had to think of something German.
"My name is Shoemaker (A/N: Pronounced Shoemakker, with a short a) Inga Shoemaker."
Well, Inga isn't German, but oh well.
"Beautiful name. Would you like something more comfortable to wear?"
"Yes, please."
Then he left and came back with this long, tight blue, satin dress. I was shocked, first that he brought me back a dress, and that what he was trying to get me to do. I knew he was going to try to get me out of it in a while. I thanked him, took it and put it on. It was very clingy, and it was very low cut. What did these German women wear? My mother would kill me if she saw I had even seen this, much less put it on. I brushed my hair, which was kinda painful, as I don't own a brush or comb. When I was done, he came up behind me and kissed my shoulder. He picked me up and dropped me on the bed.
"Where did you live, miss?"
"Berlin, but we moved outside Berlin to the country when I was five."
"Oh?"
He was now on top of me and I was not comfortable. I instantly remembered Danny.
"I can't do this, I must have my parents approval, first."
"They won't know, come on, relax."
I sighed, there was no way of getting out of this.
"Okay."
Well he eventually did get me out of that dress, I felt so guilty. Luckily, he was called away, so I had time to get redressed. He kept me in his room to do the same thing every night, for a week. By then I had seven dresses, they were blue, red, green, black, white, yellow, and purple. Then one night, about midnight he was called away and when he came back at about six, he led me to a car, I was dressed in the red dress.
"Come with me."
"Where are we going?"
"I'm taking you back to the Americans, so they don't get suspicious, although it has been a week. I'll miss you terribly. I'll find you after this war, and we'll get married."
"I can't my parents have all ready promised me to someone, although they won't tell me who."
"Oh. Well, remember I love you."
I smiled, pretending to be sad. I was forcing myself to cry. He handed me a large package.
"What's this?"
"It's the dresses among other things. Keep them, from me to you."
He kissed my shoulder and worked his way up, right before we reached the camp. When we did, he stayed a mile or so away, and dropped me off. I'm so glad I still had my army clothes, it'd be kind of hard to fight in these dresses. When I got to the camp they all stared at me.
"Rafe?" I called.
He came out of the tent and his jaw dropped. He ran to me and I hugged him.
"Jo! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, those German lessons came in handy this past week."
"What happened?"
"I've got some German secrets."
"Really? How?"
Gooz, Red, Earl and Tony came out of the tent, their eyes bulged.
"Well, they captured me, and this one guy wouldn't shut up, so I found out things, and they gave me a dress for every day I was there. All in different colors, and don't say a word about it."
A few of the guys began to whistle, and Ian heard the commotion and came out. He saw me. Great, he'll drool on me more than that German man did. Rafe noticed everyone staring and took off his jacket and covered me up, leading me into the tent so I could get a shower and dressed. I took a shower and listened to the music that one of the men was playing. Without realizing it, I began to sing to it. When I was dressed I went to dinner and the men began to clap for me. I was so confused.
"Why are they clapping?" I asked Rafe, when I sat down next to him.
"No one knew you could sing, not even me."
"I don't sing."
"Liar, everyone heard you when you were in the shower, you're great!" said Red.
"For a dying animal," said Gooz.
I smacked him and ate my dinner, When I was done, I told the man in charge about the secrets and he told Washington. Over the next few months, everyone forgot about me being captured, either that or they got tired of asking. I never told any of them about what happened. But the only thing that had changed was Ian, I noticed he followed me and stared at me constantly. That June, Normandy happened. I was shocked to hear about it. I mean, the American bombers even bombed their own men, by accident! How stupid can men get? After dinner was when we sat and talked about whatever we thought of.
"Apples," said Gooz.
"Huh?" I replied.
"What do you think of when you think of apples, it tells about your personality. I'll say a word and you tell me what comes to your mind. Apples."
"Fruit."
"Fruit."
"You acting like an idiot after Pearl on the way to Japan."
Red, Rafe, Tony, and Earl laughed.
"Me acting like an idiot on the way to Japan."
"Danny not bein' there to save me."
"Okay, next one. Coffee."
"Danny's eyes."
"Okay. The color white."
"Teeth."
"Teeth."
"Smiles."
"Smiles."
"Danny's smiles."
They all sighed.
"Does everything remind you of Danny?" asked Red.
"Just about."
"Here's a hard one. Feet," said Red.
"Walkin'."
"Walking."
"Walkin' on the beach..."
"Walking--"
"...with Danny."
They groaned.
"Ships," said Tony.
"Pearl Harbor."
"Pearl Harbor."
"Doolittle Raid."
"Doolittle Raid."
"Japs."
"Japs."
"Danny."
They sighed.
"Earl, it's your turn."
"Ooo, um, music."
"Dancin'," I said.
"Dancing,"
"When we were kids Rafe used to lock me in the barn, once he locked me and Danny in, Danny by accident, and turned on the radio, and the music came on and we got tired of sittin' and listenin' to the music, so we danced. Then worked on Pa's plane after a few songs."
"Okay, Rafe, your go."
"Okay, here's a hard one. Acting immature."
"Stickin' out your tongue."
"Oh, I'm leavin'. So far everything reminds you of Danny, and I don't want to hear this."
And he left, although I knew he was waiting outside the tent.
"So? What does sticking out your tongue make you think about?" asked Gooz.
I blushed.
"Kissing."
"Not Danny?"
"Danny's only ever kissed me on the cheek."
"Oh."
"I'm tired I'm goin' to bed."
And I left them there, but before I was out of earshot, I heard what they said about my personality.
"She doesn't let things go easily," said Red.
Over the next few months we moved closer and closer to the French coast, close to England. When we finally got there, the Germans found us out.
"Okay, no one talk, act like you have a disability of some sort, blindness, deafness, muteness, something like that. I'll do all the talking," I instructed them.
That German who had drooled on me the year before saw me.
"Inga!" (German translated into English)
"Gerard!"
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm helping these disabled men to Spain. They need help, and I heard that Spain can help them fit in."
"Why are they dressed like American soldiers?"
"We had to stop to eat, and they took us in, and gave them clothes, because theirs were all dirty, and smelly."
"They didn't know you were German?"
"They did, but since I was not fighting physically against them, they helped us out, although reluctantly."
"Oh, okay. How will you get there?"
"I was going to find a plane to fly them there, I was going to fly them, it's cheaper."
"Yes, you are right, we'll give you this plane to get you there, it has no markings on it, so the Allies won't shoot you down, or us by accident."
"Thank you."
"Where in Spain is it?"
"Northern Spain."
He nodded. I got them into the plane, and smiled at Gerard, still acting. I handed him a note.
"Don't open it until I'm out of sight, okay, promise me that. Do you swear?"
He nodded.
"May I die at your hand if I read it before."
"Good."
I got into the plane and I took off, heading North , although I did go over Spain, I never landed there, I went straight to Britain. When we got there they were so happy. They hugged me and asked me what I had said, and I told them.
"So, Jo how do you know him?"
"He was that German I spent a freaking week with. I told him my name was Inga. And he believed every word I said!"
"What did that note say?" asked Ian.
"It told him that I had lied and that my real name was Jo McCawley, born and raised in Tennessee, USA, and that I'm a General in the American Army, and that I was about to be married to a pilot, and that I would never tell anyone about what happened as a favor to him, since he did let me go."
"You're too nice."
"Me? Too nice? No way! I'm only nice to people who have done me favors. If you haven't done me any favors or have annoyed me, such as stalking me, I'm only nice when I have to be."
When I mentioned stalking, Ian got nervous.
"Who's stalking you?" asked Rafe.
"Ask around. Most people know, but haven't said anything."
Rafe turned around and asked Josh McClellan.
"Yeah, I'm surprised you haven't noticed, we all stare, but Ian scares us all from doing it. He brags that she's going to marry him and all that."
"Really?" said Rafe.
"Yeah, well I'm going to send word to my family."
A man walked by me and handed me a telegram. I opened it, hoping it was news from Ma and Pa. 'To Generals J. McCawley and R. McCawley STOP You mother and father were killed in a car accident on April 17 of 1945 STOP We send you our deepest sympathy sincerely, President Wilson STOP.' I sat down and put my head in my hands.
"What's wrong Jo?" asked Rafe, sitting next to me.
I handed him the telegram, and he hugged me, rocking back and forth as I cried.
"I want to go home."
"Okay, well, Minister Churchill is sending all of us home, we are no longer needed here."
"Okay."
I went into the room Gooz, Red, Tony, Earl, Rafe and I were sharing with a few others and I fell asleep. When I woke up, I saw William Wallace from the year before. We talked, and he said he was doing fine, and that he was going home to Scotland. I told him what I had been doing (excluding the German incidents) and he told me about what he had done, although I wasn't listening very carefully. The next day we were on our way home. When we got there we went to Tennessee, and we paid our respects to our parents. And went through who got what. I didn't want the house, but Rafe did, so he got the house, and Pa's things and I got the money and Ma's jewelry. I stayed a few days with Rafe, Evelyn and Danny Jr., but I didn't feel right. I left, for Washington, to buy a house or apartment. I stayed with Gooz, but before I could even look for an apartment, Doolittle came for a visit. I was alone, Gooz had gone somewhere, and someone knocked on the door. I went to open it and Doolittle walked in. I saluted, he saluted back.
"I'm going to get to the point, we need you in the Pacific, back at Pearl. Are you up for it?" he said.
"Hello, sir. How are you? And I'd be glad to, it's boring doing nothing here. When do I leave?"
"Tomorrow, seven hundred hours. I'm fine, thank you. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
And he left. I closed the door behind him and went to pack. After a few minutes of packing, Gooz came back.
"Find an apartment?" he asked.
"Nope. Doolittle's assigned me to the Pacific. I'm leaving tomorrow."
"Well, the apartment upstairs is for sale, want it?"
"Sure. I need to get it today, though."
"Good. Come with me."
He grabbed my arm and led me down to the bottom floor and knocked on the door.
"Come in," said a scratchy voice from inside.
Gooz dragged me in.
"Lenny, I got a buyer for the apartment above mine," said Gooz.
"Who?"
"Me," I said.
"You? If you two are so involved, why don't you continue to live together."
"Huh?"
"You two are livin' together, right?"
"No sir, I'm just staying with him until I find an apartment. I'm leaving tomorrow for the Pacific."
"Why? You work out there or somethin'?"
"Sort of, I'm going to help with the end of the war."
He laughed. I stood there and my eyes narrowed, he stopped laughing and looked at me.
"You're serious, aren't you?"
"Yes sir, I'm a pilot. That's how I met Gooz."
"Who's Gooz?"
"Him," I said pointing to Gooz, who raised his hand slightly.
"Gooz? I thought your name was Eugene."
"That's my given name, Gooz is my nickname, I go by Gooz."
I burst out laughing. Gooz elbowed me.
"I like you lady, it's yours. You can pay me when you get back from the Pacific."
We shook hands, and I gave him my name, and answered his questions. Then I went back upstairs to pack. Gooz and I sat up all night playing games.
"Twister!" he shouted.
"No! I can't play twister, it needs another player, so someone can spin."
"I'll spin, I'll drag the spinner around with me."
I sighed.
"Fine."
"Left foot green."
"Okay."
"Right hand yellow."
"Okay."
"Right foot yellow."
It went on like that for a while, until we realized, it Gooz fell, he's land on top of me. Someone knocked on the door, and he jumped.
"Come in!"
The door opened and closed, but no one came into the den. Gooz tried to get up, but fell, and landed on top of me. Then Red came in.
"Did I interrupt something?"
"No, we were playing twister, and Gooz fell, pulling me down with him," I said pushing him off of me and getting up.
"Hey Red," said Gooz.
"Did I pack everything?" I asked myself.
"Pack? Where are you going?" asked Red.
"She's going to the Pacific, Doolittle came by today," said Gooz, while I thought about what I forgot.
"My sock drawer!" I shouted.
They looked at me.
"Are you okay Jo?" asked Gooz, taking a step back from me.
"Yeah, I forgot to pack my sock drawer."
I went into the guest room and finished packing. I heard the telephone ring and Gooz pick it up, I didn't hear what he said. When I went back out Red had left, and Gooz was putting Twister away.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, you're not alone in going to the Pacific, Red and I are going too. He left to go pack. I'm going to pack now, then we can play more games. Red's gonna bring his stuff over and play with us."
"Okay."
We played games until we fell asleep. I woke up first, and got dressed and started breakfast. They eventually woke up.
"Morning beautiful," said Gooz, sitting at the table.
"Are you talking to yourself again?" I asked.
"Ouch," said Red, sitting down too.
I handed them their food, and gave myself a little, and we got ready and left for the train station.
When we finally made it back to Hawaii we went straight to put our things away, we had the same bunk as we did when we were there before. We each got our own bed. Everyone who was still alive from then were there, I sat on Danny's bed, and realized something was under his mattress. I stood up and flipped the mattress over.
"Jo, what are you doing?" asked Tony.
"My letters to him and Rafe, he kept them under his mattress. And here are some he never sent. There are pictures here. And a journal."
I read the letters out loud.
"Oh your life was just so exciting," said Earl sarcastically.
"Shut up. Why do you think I joined the Army? I couldn't stand being on that farm, that's why Rafe got it. Should I read the journal? I don't want to read it, I feel as if I'm invading his privacy."
"If you don't want to, I will," said Gooz, trying to get it from me.
"No, that's okay. I'll read it to myself first. 'Month three of training- Surprise, surprise Rafe got us in trouble, again. Talking me into doing barrel rolls. I got another letter from Jo. Poor thing, everyone's still making fun of her, because she has no life. That's not her fault. I miss her, so does Rafe. He says he only misses her because he doesn't have to beg her to do things like barrel rolls or outside loops, or chicken. She loved doing that.' I'll read the one's I approve of. 'Month three, week two- Today Rafe yet again got us n trouble, and out of it. Today we played chicken, and he was such a suck up to Major Doolittle, again. Rafe's leaving for England tomorrow. Tonight we're going to the city to dance with the nurses. I'm so not excited. Yet again, I wish Jo were here, she'd be able to help me. Rafe's not much of a help, all he ever talks about is Evelyn, Evelyn, flying, doing tricks, Evelyn and his favorite subject in the world Evelyn. Every now and then I can get him talking about Jo. I don't get much of a response there.' 'Well, we're in Hawaii, we made some friends, I miss Rafe and Jo awfully. Without them, I have no one. I hate being shy! I really need Jo here. I had a dream last night. It was of Rafe being shot down and dying, then Jo came with a halo and white wings to tell me about it. It was awful, because then she told me that she was dead too, crashing in my Pa's plane, dusting our crops for us. I think she will be an Angel when she dies, which I pray is not anytime even close to soon. I love her, as a sister, although I'm not sure it's in that way anymore.' Whoa. Why didn't he tell me?"
Then I realized I was crying and I left for a long walk on the beach.
Chapter 5
Inga? Who's Inga?
"Where am I?" I asked, in German.
"At out humble camp, m'lady," said one of them, bowing.
Nazis. Great. And I'm tied up, so no seduction can be used at the moment. Well, I can just act like a cute little German girl who was captured by the Allies, no that wouldn't be good if they attacked. I'll say that I just acted like one of their nurses to keep them from killing me. There. That's what I'll say.
"How did a beautiful young lady like yourself get in such an awful camp?" one asked me, in German. (A/N: All of this conversation will be in German, but will be written in English)
"They came through our village, and I posed as one of their nurses to keep them from killing me. I won't be accused of treason will I?" I said.
"No, miss. We rescued you. We thought you were a prisoner," said another.
I counted about ten of them, I couldn't escape through fighting, I'd have to talk my way out.
"Not true! You thought she was one of them!"
"I did not!"
"Boys! Stop arguing! It doesn't matter what you thought I was. What matters is that you have an innocent woman tied up," I said, then I smiled.
That did it, they fell all over each other to untie me. The one who was obviously in charge, took my hand and led me to his room. Well, what the hey! I'm doing this for my country. And note to self: Never ever tell Rafe about this!
"Well, miss, what is your name?"
I had to think of something German.
"My name is Shoemaker (A/N: Pronounced Shoemakker, with a short a) Inga Shoemaker."
Well, Inga isn't German, but oh well.
"Beautiful name. Would you like something more comfortable to wear?"
"Yes, please."
Then he left and came back with this long, tight blue, satin dress. I was shocked, first that he brought me back a dress, and that what he was trying to get me to do. I knew he was going to try to get me out of it in a while. I thanked him, took it and put it on. It was very clingy, and it was very low cut. What did these German women wear? My mother would kill me if she saw I had even seen this, much less put it on. I brushed my hair, which was kinda painful, as I don't own a brush or comb. When I was done, he came up behind me and kissed my shoulder. He picked me up and dropped me on the bed.
"Where did you live, miss?"
"Berlin, but we moved outside Berlin to the country when I was five."
"Oh?"
He was now on top of me and I was not comfortable. I instantly remembered Danny.
"I can't do this, I must have my parents approval, first."
"They won't know, come on, relax."
I sighed, there was no way of getting out of this.
"Okay."
Well he eventually did get me out of that dress, I felt so guilty. Luckily, he was called away, so I had time to get redressed. He kept me in his room to do the same thing every night, for a week. By then I had seven dresses, they were blue, red, green, black, white, yellow, and purple. Then one night, about midnight he was called away and when he came back at about six, he led me to a car, I was dressed in the red dress.
"Come with me."
"Where are we going?"
"I'm taking you back to the Americans, so they don't get suspicious, although it has been a week. I'll miss you terribly. I'll find you after this war, and we'll get married."
"I can't my parents have all ready promised me to someone, although they won't tell me who."
"Oh. Well, remember I love you."
I smiled, pretending to be sad. I was forcing myself to cry. He handed me a large package.
"What's this?"
"It's the dresses among other things. Keep them, from me to you."
He kissed my shoulder and worked his way up, right before we reached the camp. When we did, he stayed a mile or so away, and dropped me off. I'm so glad I still had my army clothes, it'd be kind of hard to fight in these dresses. When I got to the camp they all stared at me.
"Rafe?" I called.
He came out of the tent and his jaw dropped. He ran to me and I hugged him.
"Jo! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, those German lessons came in handy this past week."
"What happened?"
"I've got some German secrets."
"Really? How?"
Gooz, Red, Earl and Tony came out of the tent, their eyes bulged.
"Well, they captured me, and this one guy wouldn't shut up, so I found out things, and they gave me a dress for every day I was there. All in different colors, and don't say a word about it."
A few of the guys began to whistle, and Ian heard the commotion and came out. He saw me. Great, he'll drool on me more than that German man did. Rafe noticed everyone staring and took off his jacket and covered me up, leading me into the tent so I could get a shower and dressed. I took a shower and listened to the music that one of the men was playing. Without realizing it, I began to sing to it. When I was dressed I went to dinner and the men began to clap for me. I was so confused.
"Why are they clapping?" I asked Rafe, when I sat down next to him.
"No one knew you could sing, not even me."
"I don't sing."
"Liar, everyone heard you when you were in the shower, you're great!" said Red.
"For a dying animal," said Gooz.
I smacked him and ate my dinner, When I was done, I told the man in charge about the secrets and he told Washington. Over the next few months, everyone forgot about me being captured, either that or they got tired of asking. I never told any of them about what happened. But the only thing that had changed was Ian, I noticed he followed me and stared at me constantly. That June, Normandy happened. I was shocked to hear about it. I mean, the American bombers even bombed their own men, by accident! How stupid can men get? After dinner was when we sat and talked about whatever we thought of.
"Apples," said Gooz.
"Huh?" I replied.
"What do you think of when you think of apples, it tells about your personality. I'll say a word and you tell me what comes to your mind. Apples."
"Fruit."
"Fruit."
"You acting like an idiot after Pearl on the way to Japan."
Red, Rafe, Tony, and Earl laughed.
"Me acting like an idiot on the way to Japan."
"Danny not bein' there to save me."
"Okay, next one. Coffee."
"Danny's eyes."
"Okay. The color white."
"Teeth."
"Teeth."
"Smiles."
"Smiles."
"Danny's smiles."
They all sighed.
"Does everything remind you of Danny?" asked Red.
"Just about."
"Here's a hard one. Feet," said Red.
"Walkin'."
"Walking."
"Walkin' on the beach..."
"Walking--"
"...with Danny."
They groaned.
"Ships," said Tony.
"Pearl Harbor."
"Pearl Harbor."
"Doolittle Raid."
"Doolittle Raid."
"Japs."
"Japs."
"Danny."
They sighed.
"Earl, it's your turn."
"Ooo, um, music."
"Dancin'," I said.
"Dancing,"
"When we were kids Rafe used to lock me in the barn, once he locked me and Danny in, Danny by accident, and turned on the radio, and the music came on and we got tired of sittin' and listenin' to the music, so we danced. Then worked on Pa's plane after a few songs."
"Okay, Rafe, your go."
"Okay, here's a hard one. Acting immature."
"Stickin' out your tongue."
"Oh, I'm leavin'. So far everything reminds you of Danny, and I don't want to hear this."
And he left, although I knew he was waiting outside the tent.
"So? What does sticking out your tongue make you think about?" asked Gooz.
I blushed.
"Kissing."
"Not Danny?"
"Danny's only ever kissed me on the cheek."
"Oh."
"I'm tired I'm goin' to bed."
And I left them there, but before I was out of earshot, I heard what they said about my personality.
"She doesn't let things go easily," said Red.
Over the next few months we moved closer and closer to the French coast, close to England. When we finally got there, the Germans found us out.
"Okay, no one talk, act like you have a disability of some sort, blindness, deafness, muteness, something like that. I'll do all the talking," I instructed them.
That German who had drooled on me the year before saw me.
"Inga!" (German translated into English)
"Gerard!"
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm helping these disabled men to Spain. They need help, and I heard that Spain can help them fit in."
"Why are they dressed like American soldiers?"
"We had to stop to eat, and they took us in, and gave them clothes, because theirs were all dirty, and smelly."
"They didn't know you were German?"
"They did, but since I was not fighting physically against them, they helped us out, although reluctantly."
"Oh, okay. How will you get there?"
"I was going to find a plane to fly them there, I was going to fly them, it's cheaper."
"Yes, you are right, we'll give you this plane to get you there, it has no markings on it, so the Allies won't shoot you down, or us by accident."
"Thank you."
"Where in Spain is it?"
"Northern Spain."
He nodded. I got them into the plane, and smiled at Gerard, still acting. I handed him a note.
"Don't open it until I'm out of sight, okay, promise me that. Do you swear?"
He nodded.
"May I die at your hand if I read it before."
"Good."
I got into the plane and I took off, heading North , although I did go over Spain, I never landed there, I went straight to Britain. When we got there they were so happy. They hugged me and asked me what I had said, and I told them.
"So, Jo how do you know him?"
"He was that German I spent a freaking week with. I told him my name was Inga. And he believed every word I said!"
"What did that note say?" asked Ian.
"It told him that I had lied and that my real name was Jo McCawley, born and raised in Tennessee, USA, and that I'm a General in the American Army, and that I was about to be married to a pilot, and that I would never tell anyone about what happened as a favor to him, since he did let me go."
"You're too nice."
"Me? Too nice? No way! I'm only nice to people who have done me favors. If you haven't done me any favors or have annoyed me, such as stalking me, I'm only nice when I have to be."
When I mentioned stalking, Ian got nervous.
"Who's stalking you?" asked Rafe.
"Ask around. Most people know, but haven't said anything."
Rafe turned around and asked Josh McClellan.
"Yeah, I'm surprised you haven't noticed, we all stare, but Ian scares us all from doing it. He brags that she's going to marry him and all that."
"Really?" said Rafe.
"Yeah, well I'm going to send word to my family."
A man walked by me and handed me a telegram. I opened it, hoping it was news from Ma and Pa. 'To Generals J. McCawley and R. McCawley STOP You mother and father were killed in a car accident on April 17 of 1945 STOP We send you our deepest sympathy sincerely, President Wilson STOP.' I sat down and put my head in my hands.
"What's wrong Jo?" asked Rafe, sitting next to me.
I handed him the telegram, and he hugged me, rocking back and forth as I cried.
"I want to go home."
"Okay, well, Minister Churchill is sending all of us home, we are no longer needed here."
"Okay."
I went into the room Gooz, Red, Tony, Earl, Rafe and I were sharing with a few others and I fell asleep. When I woke up, I saw William Wallace from the year before. We talked, and he said he was doing fine, and that he was going home to Scotland. I told him what I had been doing (excluding the German incidents) and he told me about what he had done, although I wasn't listening very carefully. The next day we were on our way home. When we got there we went to Tennessee, and we paid our respects to our parents. And went through who got what. I didn't want the house, but Rafe did, so he got the house, and Pa's things and I got the money and Ma's jewelry. I stayed a few days with Rafe, Evelyn and Danny Jr., but I didn't feel right. I left, for Washington, to buy a house or apartment. I stayed with Gooz, but before I could even look for an apartment, Doolittle came for a visit. I was alone, Gooz had gone somewhere, and someone knocked on the door. I went to open it and Doolittle walked in. I saluted, he saluted back.
"I'm going to get to the point, we need you in the Pacific, back at Pearl. Are you up for it?" he said.
"Hello, sir. How are you? And I'd be glad to, it's boring doing nothing here. When do I leave?"
"Tomorrow, seven hundred hours. I'm fine, thank you. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
And he left. I closed the door behind him and went to pack. After a few minutes of packing, Gooz came back.
"Find an apartment?" he asked.
"Nope. Doolittle's assigned me to the Pacific. I'm leaving tomorrow."
"Well, the apartment upstairs is for sale, want it?"
"Sure. I need to get it today, though."
"Good. Come with me."
He grabbed my arm and led me down to the bottom floor and knocked on the door.
"Come in," said a scratchy voice from inside.
Gooz dragged me in.
"Lenny, I got a buyer for the apartment above mine," said Gooz.
"Who?"
"Me," I said.
"You? If you two are so involved, why don't you continue to live together."
"Huh?"
"You two are livin' together, right?"
"No sir, I'm just staying with him until I find an apartment. I'm leaving tomorrow for the Pacific."
"Why? You work out there or somethin'?"
"Sort of, I'm going to help with the end of the war."
He laughed. I stood there and my eyes narrowed, he stopped laughing and looked at me.
"You're serious, aren't you?"
"Yes sir, I'm a pilot. That's how I met Gooz."
"Who's Gooz?"
"Him," I said pointing to Gooz, who raised his hand slightly.
"Gooz? I thought your name was Eugene."
"That's my given name, Gooz is my nickname, I go by Gooz."
I burst out laughing. Gooz elbowed me.
"I like you lady, it's yours. You can pay me when you get back from the Pacific."
We shook hands, and I gave him my name, and answered his questions. Then I went back upstairs to pack. Gooz and I sat up all night playing games.
"Twister!" he shouted.
"No! I can't play twister, it needs another player, so someone can spin."
"I'll spin, I'll drag the spinner around with me."
I sighed.
"Fine."
"Left foot green."
"Okay."
"Right hand yellow."
"Okay."
"Right foot yellow."
It went on like that for a while, until we realized, it Gooz fell, he's land on top of me. Someone knocked on the door, and he jumped.
"Come in!"
The door opened and closed, but no one came into the den. Gooz tried to get up, but fell, and landed on top of me. Then Red came in.
"Did I interrupt something?"
"No, we were playing twister, and Gooz fell, pulling me down with him," I said pushing him off of me and getting up.
"Hey Red," said Gooz.
"Did I pack everything?" I asked myself.
"Pack? Where are you going?" asked Red.
"She's going to the Pacific, Doolittle came by today," said Gooz, while I thought about what I forgot.
"My sock drawer!" I shouted.
They looked at me.
"Are you okay Jo?" asked Gooz, taking a step back from me.
"Yeah, I forgot to pack my sock drawer."
I went into the guest room and finished packing. I heard the telephone ring and Gooz pick it up, I didn't hear what he said. When I went back out Red had left, and Gooz was putting Twister away.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, you're not alone in going to the Pacific, Red and I are going too. He left to go pack. I'm going to pack now, then we can play more games. Red's gonna bring his stuff over and play with us."
"Okay."
We played games until we fell asleep. I woke up first, and got dressed and started breakfast. They eventually woke up.
"Morning beautiful," said Gooz, sitting at the table.
"Are you talking to yourself again?" I asked.
"Ouch," said Red, sitting down too.
I handed them their food, and gave myself a little, and we got ready and left for the train station.
When we finally made it back to Hawaii we went straight to put our things away, we had the same bunk as we did when we were there before. We each got our own bed. Everyone who was still alive from then were there, I sat on Danny's bed, and realized something was under his mattress. I stood up and flipped the mattress over.
"Jo, what are you doing?" asked Tony.
"My letters to him and Rafe, he kept them under his mattress. And here are some he never sent. There are pictures here. And a journal."
I read the letters out loud.
"Oh your life was just so exciting," said Earl sarcastically.
"Shut up. Why do you think I joined the Army? I couldn't stand being on that farm, that's why Rafe got it. Should I read the journal? I don't want to read it, I feel as if I'm invading his privacy."
"If you don't want to, I will," said Gooz, trying to get it from me.
"No, that's okay. I'll read it to myself first. 'Month three of training- Surprise, surprise Rafe got us in trouble, again. Talking me into doing barrel rolls. I got another letter from Jo. Poor thing, everyone's still making fun of her, because she has no life. That's not her fault. I miss her, so does Rafe. He says he only misses her because he doesn't have to beg her to do things like barrel rolls or outside loops, or chicken. She loved doing that.' I'll read the one's I approve of. 'Month three, week two- Today Rafe yet again got us n trouble, and out of it. Today we played chicken, and he was such a suck up to Major Doolittle, again. Rafe's leaving for England tomorrow. Tonight we're going to the city to dance with the nurses. I'm so not excited. Yet again, I wish Jo were here, she'd be able to help me. Rafe's not much of a help, all he ever talks about is Evelyn, Evelyn, flying, doing tricks, Evelyn and his favorite subject in the world Evelyn. Every now and then I can get him talking about Jo. I don't get much of a response there.' 'Well, we're in Hawaii, we made some friends, I miss Rafe and Jo awfully. Without them, I have no one. I hate being shy! I really need Jo here. I had a dream last night. It was of Rafe being shot down and dying, then Jo came with a halo and white wings to tell me about it. It was awful, because then she told me that she was dead too, crashing in my Pa's plane, dusting our crops for us. I think she will be an Angel when she dies, which I pray is not anytime even close to soon. I love her, as a sister, although I'm not sure it's in that way anymore.' Whoa. Why didn't he tell me?"
Then I realized I was crying and I left for a long walk on the beach.