AN: thanks Dawnie-7 for the encouragement!
1940
Danny and Grace were together for two years when Rafe announced that he and Danny were
going to the army. Needless to say, Grace was terribly upset with the news. Her only brother
and her boyfriend were headed to Long Island, far away from her. They were only 19 and 18!
And they were the only things she enjoyed about Shelby, Tennessee. With the two of them
gone, she would have her parents and nobody else. Then, she got an idea that made her think
that Long Island was a great idea...
"I know Grace is really upset, Danny, but I knew she would be. We both did. When she turns
18 next year, she'll follow us out to Long Island and everything will go back to normal. Don't
worry!" Rafe consoled Danny.
"I know, Rafe, but I hate to see her so upset like this. Your right, though. She would've been
upset anyway that we told her." Danny sighed. He was leaving the small town he grew up in,
where his girlfriend was to go somewhere he didn't know to do what he was born to do, what
he loved to do. But he loved Gracie, too, and she was hurting right now.
Grace walked into the room and both men stood up and started speaking at once. Grace shhed
them and started to talk herself. "I've done some thinking and I've decided that if this is what you
two want to do, I'm not going to stand in your way, but I WILL be expecting letters EVERY
WEEK from both of you." When she finished she was already in the air, Danny swinging her
around.
"Oh, Gracie! I'm so glad you aren't upset anymore! And I promise to write every week!" Danny
said and kissed her quickly. "I love you, Gracie."
"I love you, too, Danny." She replied and kissed him again.
"I'll leave the two of you alone." Rafe laughed and left the couple standing in the kitchen, caught
up in the moment.
AT THE TRAIN STATION
"Goodbye, Danny." Said Maggie McCawley.
"Goodbye, Mrs. McCawley. I'll miss your cookin', ma'am."Danny joked.
"Your practically family so it's Maggie or mom and thank you. I knew you always appreciated my cooking" She replied and kissed him on the cheek. Then she said goodbye to Rafe while Danny said goodbye to Tom. Then he moved to Grace.
"Goodbye, Gracie. I'll miss you." Danny said picking her up easily into a hug.
Grace couldn't help the few tears that fell. 'Tears should make me look like I'm sad' she thought.
"Bye, Danny. I'll miss you, too" She said. Then she kissed him passionately on the lips.
When they parted Danny leaned his forehead against her's and said "I love you. I'll see ya when
you turn 18."
"I love you, too." 'But you'll see me sooner than that' she added the second part mentally.
Danny and Rafe headed for the train. Danny gave Grace a second look before boarding.
That night, Grace was puting the finishing touches on her note to her parents, explaining why she
was leaving and where she was going. She wrote that they shouldn't worry and that she would write
to them when she got to Long Island. She also asked for their forgiveness because she didn't want
them to think that she wanted to leave them; that she merely was following her heart to her love.
Her Danny.
At around 3 in the morning the cab showed up at her door and she took her 2 suitcases and left for
the train station.