Chapter 7
Unpredictable

Rafe was left speechless as he slowly made his way back to his barracks. Berenger was on his bunk when Rafe came in. "What'd he say?" He asked.

"Not too much. Go to sleep, Berry." Rafe was extremely distant, and didn't say a word as he drifted off to sleep.

"Evelyn, you read this?" Danny asked, hardly believing his ears.

"I'm sorry, Danny. I didn't mean to invade your privacy, it's just that I thought-"

"Ev, please don't explain. I don't need it. I know you're worried about Rafe, and I really don't blame you. So am I. I don't even mind if you read my mail, just ask me next time, will you?"

"Of course, Danny." Evelyn replied. Danny's reaction was far better than what she had expected. She wondered how Rafe might have handled it, probably the same way. Evelyn embraced Danny, and turned to the radio where Glenn Miller's Stars and Stripes Forever was playing. She let out a long sigh, how long was this war going to go on?

The next morning, the raiders boarded the USS Hornet, where they were surprised to find their planes lined up ready for action. They all continually were working on their planes, Doolittle had said if there was one thing wrong, they would be sent back. None of the men wanted that.

Rafe had done a wonderful job at keeping distance from Devon. Even when he sought him out. They shared the same cabin, but Rafe always found a way to be asleep before he got in there, and was always awake with the sun. Devon got the hint after a while, and found more time to work on his plane than to spend with the men.

After picking up the battleships and cruisers from Hawaii, an occasion Rafe, Red, Anthony, and Goose found a reason to miss, Devon decided to confront his friend. It was early in the evening when the men were playing card in their cabins, waiting for the bugle to sound for dinner, Devon walked into the cabin alone, and was shunned by Rafe, who turned over in his bed on the top bunk. Devon swiftly walked to his bunk, and quietly whispered, "What's wrong with you?"

Rafe ignored him. "Rafe, did I do something to offend you?" Rafe turned over in the bunk to resist temptation to speak.

Just at that moment the bugle sounded for dinner, and the men quickly left their card game for supper. After the last man left, leaving just Rafe and Devon, Rafe turned to look at him. "Doolittle told me."

"Told you what?"

"He told me who you really are."

Devon was silent for a moment, "I don't know what to say. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, but-"

"Sorry? But what? I poured my heart out to you, and it turns out you've been lying to me all this time. Not just to me, to everyone."

"What else am I supposed to say? I wouldn't have been able to fly if they knew about me."

"How come Doolittle knows?"

"It was his idea. Listen, please don't tell anyone, Rafe. I don't think I can handle it right now."

Rafe was silent while considering this. "Do you wear a corset or something?"

"Yeah, a straight one, like the ones they wore in the twenties. Are you going to tell?"

"No, I won't tell. Let's get to dinner."

Devon thanked Rafe and followed him out the door. Rafe still didn't fully comprehend, Devon Berenger was a woman.*******

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*********This is what I was talking about. I did this to give the story an interesting twist. This is not historical fact! Though, wouldn't it have been pretty great?