Life Stories
Evelyn
Evelyn Rose Johnson- Birthdate: October 19, 1917. Birthplace: Hartford, Connecticut. College/Further Education: University of Connecticut(1936-1940). Family: Father: Gerald Johnson III(12-07-1880)/Mother: Joan Johnson(05-26-1885)/siblings: Gerald Johnson IV(02-17-1915) Rebecca(08-09-1920). Occupation: Nurse.
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October 22, 1932
Age: 15
The teenager walked gracefully down the steps. "You look so beautiful!" Joan, her mother, shrieked. Evelyn smiled, and carefully touched her hair to make sure it was all in place.
"Thank you, mother," she said politely. Rebecca was eyeing her from her spot in the living room. "Don't worry, little sis, this will be you in due time," she said to her eleven year old sister.
"Whose the boy?" her father, Gerald, growled from behind the newspaper.
"His name is Andrew, father. Andrew McCormick."
"I know them. They own that meat place, don't they?" he asked.
"Yes, daddy," Evelyn said.
"Well, put down that paper and look at your daughter," Joan said.
He put the paper down, cocked an eyebrow, than raised it again. "You look nice," he growled.
They heard the doorbell ring. "Mother, would you mind getting the door?" Evelyn asked. She heard the door creak open and a few mumbled words. She timed her entrance perfectly. "Hello, Andrew."
"Wow, Evelyn," he said. "You sure look swell."
"Thank you. Mother, I'll be seeing you later on tonight, then," she said before heading out the door.
Andrew openned the door for her before walking over to the other side and getting in himself. "You sure live in a nice neighborhood," he said as they passed mansions and other beautiful houses.
The Johnsons had come from money. Her father was a pilot, the best in her opinion, so he only earned a modest living. But her grandfather had owned many plants and companies. Since Gerald was an only child, he was the recipient of all of her grandfather's money. After the depression began, they still were able to live their usual luxurious life. Most other families in the city probably didn't have half of what Evelyn's had. "Depends on what you consider nice. The families are so snooty. The little girls would never play with me because they were too busy practicing for great dinners with all sorts of nice people. I usually just played with the boys."
Andrew gave a slight laugh. His dark blond hair was gelled back, and he was wearing a freshly pressed suit. He left the tie at home, which made him look even cooler to Evelyn. And the fact that he was 16 made all of her friends envious.
When they stopped in front of the school, she waited for him to come open her door. He walked over and helped her out. Her arm was linked with his as they walked into the gym.
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After the last slow dance, Andrew walked Evelyn back out to the car. He got in on the other side once again. "Evelyn, this night's been real special to me," he said as they started moving.
"It's been real special to me, too, Andrew," she said.
"Well, I've been wond'rin...um, would it be okay if....Evelyn Johnson, will you go out with me?" he asked nervously.
He was so cute when he was nervous. Evelyn couldn't help but smile. "I'd love that, Andrew McCormick," she said smiling.
He sighed. "Well, good then."
He pulled to a stop in front of her house. "I'll see you Monday, then," Evelyn said. "Unless, you know, you wanna walk me to the door..."
"Of course!" he said wondering how forgetful he was.
On the porch, he grabbed her hand. "Thank you for a real nice evening, Andrew," Evelyn said.
"Thank you, ma'am. I was real happy to take you," he said, nervously fiddling with his thumbs. "Would it be okay, now, if I, um, kissed you?" he asked.
"I would love that," she said. He leaned down to her height. She wrapped her hands around his neck and brought his face closer to her own. They kissed, and magic burst through their lips. Evelyn wouldn't have been surprised if fireworks lit up the night sky then. Then the door openned, ruining their magical moment. They quickly broke away. "Thanks again, Andrew," Evelyn said, walking in to her house.
Andrew waved to her father before heading down to his car.
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May 29, 1934
Age:16
Andrew knocked on the Johnson's door. Joan openned it. "Hello Mrs. Johnson," Andrew said.
"Andrew, come in. Evelyn's up in her room."
"Thank you, Mrs. Johnson," Andrew said, running up the stairs. He walked down the hall, past three doors on his right, and into Evelyn's huge room.
The sixteen year old was sitting cross legged on her bed, painting her nails. "Hey," she said, not looking up.
"Hey," he said sitting next to her on the bed. "Can I talk to you?"
"Sure," she said putting the nail polish on her dresser.
"After I graduate," he started. He lifted his chin up. "I'm joining the Navy," he said.
"What? Is that some kind of joke?" she asked.
"No, I'm serious. You've seen my report cards, Ev. I'm not like you. I hardly got a chance to go to Hartford, let alone UConn. I wanna be something. You understand right?"
"What if there's a war?" she asked.
"Then I'll fight."
"That's what I'm afraid of. How long will you be gone? I can't wait forever, Andrew. Daddy already doesn't like it because of you're not like us..."
"But you, Evelyn, you aren't like that! Because I love you. And I thought you loved me too!"
"I do, but the Navy, Andrew? Why?"
"Because I want to make you proud," he said.
"I'm already so proud of you, for being you," she said hugging him. "You don't have to go and be a big bad soldier just to prove that you're a hero. I already think you are."
"But, Evelyn, it's different. When I come back, I'm gonna be respected."
"What if you don't come back?" she protested.
"I will," he promised. He stood and walked to the door, then turned around. "I will come back."
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May 26, 1936
Age: 18
I told him, I told him the day he left that I would be sign up to be a nurse the day I graduated. But, the University of Connecticut accepted me. And not only would I dishonor my family if I didn't go, I would dishonor myself and all women everywhere. I got accepted to college! And I wanna be a nurse, but not until I learn about it. And so, I've made a decision. Whether Andrew likes it or not, because he left me to go be a hero. And all he had to do was give me a ring.
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June 1, 1940
Age: 22
Evelyn sat in the recruitment office. She didn't know why she was doing it. Andrew and she obviously shared no love anymore. It was apparent in the last letter she wrote. But she was still sitting there, ready to give her life to her country. It was in her blood. Her father was the last to let her go, he knew what war was like. But her mother, a former navy nurse herself, persuaded him nothing would happen to his precious daughter.
She stared blankly out the window. She saw Andrew running towards the building. She sighed as he came bursting into the office. "Evelyn...wow," he said, seeing her for the first time in about a year. "You look amazing. But...I need to talk to you. Now," he said.
She followed him outside. "What is it?" she demanded.
"Do you love me?" he asked her as soon as the door closed. "Because you tell me you don't then you turn around and go enlist. I'm not sure what to think anymore. I want you to love me, I always have, but you sure have a strange way of showing it."
"I don't love you anymore. Does that answer your question?" she asked him.
"No. Why don't you love me? And why are you here if you don't love me?" he demanded.
"Because, Andrew, I loved you. And you thought I didn't. And you went into the damn Navy, and you knew I couldn't wait on you forever. Because I only get to see you once a year. Because you could've had a hell'ofa life here, Andrew. You didn't need to leave to make me love you. I already did. And now...I have to move on with my life. I am a nurse. I'm enlisting. And it's not because of you."
"Just..."he started. "Just look me in the eyes and tell me you don't love me."
She looked him square in the eyes. "I don't love you."
He nodded painfully, then walked away. She wiped a tear off of her face before heading back inside.
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Bottom line: Evelyn didn't need a hero in her life since she already thought her father one, but since of their high class, she might have been neglected enough to crave love.
Evelyn
Evelyn Rose Johnson- Birthdate: October 19, 1917. Birthplace: Hartford, Connecticut. College/Further Education: University of Connecticut(1936-1940). Family: Father: Gerald Johnson III(12-07-1880)/Mother: Joan Johnson(05-26-1885)/siblings: Gerald Johnson IV(02-17-1915) Rebecca(08-09-1920). Occupation: Nurse.
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October 22, 1932
Age: 15
The teenager walked gracefully down the steps. "You look so beautiful!" Joan, her mother, shrieked. Evelyn smiled, and carefully touched her hair to make sure it was all in place.
"Thank you, mother," she said politely. Rebecca was eyeing her from her spot in the living room. "Don't worry, little sis, this will be you in due time," she said to her eleven year old sister.
"Whose the boy?" her father, Gerald, growled from behind the newspaper.
"His name is Andrew, father. Andrew McCormick."
"I know them. They own that meat place, don't they?" he asked.
"Yes, daddy," Evelyn said.
"Well, put down that paper and look at your daughter," Joan said.
He put the paper down, cocked an eyebrow, than raised it again. "You look nice," he growled.
They heard the doorbell ring. "Mother, would you mind getting the door?" Evelyn asked. She heard the door creak open and a few mumbled words. She timed her entrance perfectly. "Hello, Andrew."
"Wow, Evelyn," he said. "You sure look swell."
"Thank you. Mother, I'll be seeing you later on tonight, then," she said before heading out the door.
Andrew openned the door for her before walking over to the other side and getting in himself. "You sure live in a nice neighborhood," he said as they passed mansions and other beautiful houses.
The Johnsons had come from money. Her father was a pilot, the best in her opinion, so he only earned a modest living. But her grandfather had owned many plants and companies. Since Gerald was an only child, he was the recipient of all of her grandfather's money. After the depression began, they still were able to live their usual luxurious life. Most other families in the city probably didn't have half of what Evelyn's had. "Depends on what you consider nice. The families are so snooty. The little girls would never play with me because they were too busy practicing for great dinners with all sorts of nice people. I usually just played with the boys."
Andrew gave a slight laugh. His dark blond hair was gelled back, and he was wearing a freshly pressed suit. He left the tie at home, which made him look even cooler to Evelyn. And the fact that he was 16 made all of her friends envious.
When they stopped in front of the school, she waited for him to come open her door. He walked over and helped her out. Her arm was linked with his as they walked into the gym.
***************************************************************************************************************
After the last slow dance, Andrew walked Evelyn back out to the car. He got in on the other side once again. "Evelyn, this night's been real special to me," he said as they started moving.
"It's been real special to me, too, Andrew," she said.
"Well, I've been wond'rin...um, would it be okay if....Evelyn Johnson, will you go out with me?" he asked nervously.
He was so cute when he was nervous. Evelyn couldn't help but smile. "I'd love that, Andrew McCormick," she said smiling.
He sighed. "Well, good then."
He pulled to a stop in front of her house. "I'll see you Monday, then," Evelyn said. "Unless, you know, you wanna walk me to the door..."
"Of course!" he said wondering how forgetful he was.
On the porch, he grabbed her hand. "Thank you for a real nice evening, Andrew," Evelyn said.
"Thank you, ma'am. I was real happy to take you," he said, nervously fiddling with his thumbs. "Would it be okay, now, if I, um, kissed you?" he asked.
"I would love that," she said. He leaned down to her height. She wrapped her hands around his neck and brought his face closer to her own. They kissed, and magic burst through their lips. Evelyn wouldn't have been surprised if fireworks lit up the night sky then. Then the door openned, ruining their magical moment. They quickly broke away. "Thanks again, Andrew," Evelyn said, walking in to her house.
Andrew waved to her father before heading down to his car.
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May 29, 1934
Age:16
Andrew knocked on the Johnson's door. Joan openned it. "Hello Mrs. Johnson," Andrew said.
"Andrew, come in. Evelyn's up in her room."
"Thank you, Mrs. Johnson," Andrew said, running up the stairs. He walked down the hall, past three doors on his right, and into Evelyn's huge room.
The sixteen year old was sitting cross legged on her bed, painting her nails. "Hey," she said, not looking up.
"Hey," he said sitting next to her on the bed. "Can I talk to you?"
"Sure," she said putting the nail polish on her dresser.
"After I graduate," he started. He lifted his chin up. "I'm joining the Navy," he said.
"What? Is that some kind of joke?" she asked.
"No, I'm serious. You've seen my report cards, Ev. I'm not like you. I hardly got a chance to go to Hartford, let alone UConn. I wanna be something. You understand right?"
"What if there's a war?" she asked.
"Then I'll fight."
"That's what I'm afraid of. How long will you be gone? I can't wait forever, Andrew. Daddy already doesn't like it because of you're not like us..."
"But you, Evelyn, you aren't like that! Because I love you. And I thought you loved me too!"
"I do, but the Navy, Andrew? Why?"
"Because I want to make you proud," he said.
"I'm already so proud of you, for being you," she said hugging him. "You don't have to go and be a big bad soldier just to prove that you're a hero. I already think you are."
"But, Evelyn, it's different. When I come back, I'm gonna be respected."
"What if you don't come back?" she protested.
"I will," he promised. He stood and walked to the door, then turned around. "I will come back."
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May 26, 1936
Age: 18
I told him, I told him the day he left that I would be sign up to be a nurse the day I graduated. But, the University of Connecticut accepted me. And not only would I dishonor my family if I didn't go, I would dishonor myself and all women everywhere. I got accepted to college! And I wanna be a nurse, but not until I learn about it. And so, I've made a decision. Whether Andrew likes it or not, because he left me to go be a hero. And all he had to do was give me a ring.
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June 1, 1940
Age: 22
Evelyn sat in the recruitment office. She didn't know why she was doing it. Andrew and she obviously shared no love anymore. It was apparent in the last letter she wrote. But she was still sitting there, ready to give her life to her country. It was in her blood. Her father was the last to let her go, he knew what war was like. But her mother, a former navy nurse herself, persuaded him nothing would happen to his precious daughter.
She stared blankly out the window. She saw Andrew running towards the building. She sighed as he came bursting into the office. "Evelyn...wow," he said, seeing her for the first time in about a year. "You look amazing. But...I need to talk to you. Now," he said.
She followed him outside. "What is it?" she demanded.
"Do you love me?" he asked her as soon as the door closed. "Because you tell me you don't then you turn around and go enlist. I'm not sure what to think anymore. I want you to love me, I always have, but you sure have a strange way of showing it."
"I don't love you anymore. Does that answer your question?" she asked him.
"No. Why don't you love me? And why are you here if you don't love me?" he demanded.
"Because, Andrew, I loved you. And you thought I didn't. And you went into the damn Navy, and you knew I couldn't wait on you forever. Because I only get to see you once a year. Because you could've had a hell'ofa life here, Andrew. You didn't need to leave to make me love you. I already did. And now...I have to move on with my life. I am a nurse. I'm enlisting. And it's not because of you."
"Just..."he started. "Just look me in the eyes and tell me you don't love me."
She looked him square in the eyes. "I don't love you."
He nodded painfully, then walked away. She wiped a tear off of her face before heading back inside.
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Bottom line: Evelyn didn't need a hero in her life since she already thought her father one, but since of their high class, she might have been neglected enough to crave love.
