Rae watched from her place on the couch and Marty shifted uncomfortably in the rocking chair. She sighed deeply, feeling sorry for the poor girl. "Do you need anything, Marty?" Rae asked.
Marty made a face and shifted again. "I need to not be pregnant. I'll never fit back into my dresses again."
Rae gave her a sympathetic smile.
Marty sighed. "I think I made a mistake Rae..."
"Marrying Jackson?"
"Yeah...I just convinced him to marry me to spite Andy..."
"To spite Andy!?"
"Yes...I told him not to volunteer...but he did it anyway..."
"Oh Marty..."
"I didn't expect Jackson to volunteer...and I sure didn't expect this," she said, gesturing to her very swollen belly.
Rae walked over and squeezed the girl's shoulder.
"I guess I shouldn't be complaining huh?" Marty asked.
"Do you love Jackson?"
"I don't know..."
"You... don't know?"
"I thought I did...and I thought he loved me too, but he must not since he ran off and enlisted like that."
"I don't think he did it to spite you, Marty."
"Then why did he do it?"
"I'm not sure... That would be something you'd have to ask him."
Marty sighed and pushed herself to her feet. "I think I'm gonna go take a nap."
Rae nodded. "Call one of us if you need us."
"Will do," Marty said as she left the room.
Rae sighed and glanced out the window. Spot and Chris had both been summoned by the draft board, but neither was fit for service. Chris has been sent home because of his leg and Spot had been given a desk job in Brooklyn. He came home as often as he could. She didn't realize how quiet the house was without him, and he was only one body....
Andy and Jackson were fighting overseas. Ann had gone to Russia to study the ballet in 1914 and now couldn't return home because of the war. Jeremy, having been injured in an accident and unable to fight, had become a war correspondent. Ginny was a nurse in an Army hospital overseas. She sighed. Come to think of it... there were a lot of bodies missing... Bodies with voices, laughter, tears...
Out in the yard she saw Sam, Joey, Robert and James playing ball with Chris and Molly's boys. Kendra hadn't yet gotten her little sister; instead she had gotten four little brothers. Kendra had dropped her brothers off at the house that morning on her way into town to work at the library and bookstore that Rae and Spot owned, because Molly hadn't been feeling well. She liked watching the children play in the yard. Children could play so unaffected by the adversity of war.
At a familiar uneven step in the room behind her, she turned. "Hello Chris. How's Molly?"
He grinned. "Kendra finally got her little sister."
Rae's face lit up. "Really? Oh how wonderful!!"
"Mind watching the boys a little longer?" he asked. "I want to tell Kendra first."
"It's no problem. Hurry! She'll be excited to find out." Rae ushered him out the door.
"I'm going, I'm going!" He laughed and disappeared out the door. Rae smiled, following him out and watching him go.
Joey jogged up to the porch to meet her. "Can Sam and I go into town and check the mail?"
Rae nodded. "Just be careful, all right."
"Don't worry, Aunt Rae," he said, grinning at her with that grin that so many young girls in town found irresistible.
"Just don't you and Sam go joining the Army...you two have another year to go until you're old enough and Lord willing this war won't last that long."
"Yes ma'am," they echoed, trotting down the path.
"Momma..."
Rae turned to see Lizzy standing in the doorway. "I'm about three steps in front of you, baby."
The girl clutched the door with one hand and felt around for Rae's sleeve with the other. "There you are."
Once Lizzy stood beside her, Rae wrapped her arm around her daughter's shoulder. "What did you need, sweetie?"
"Gramma wants to know if you want her to make lunch..."
After a moment, she nodded. "I'll be in to help her in a moment. Did you want to stay out here?"
"No," Lizzy said quickly. "I think I'll go back inside and read that new book that Kenneth found for me."
Rae studied her daughter for a moment. "Is something the matter, Lizzy?"
Lizzy sighed. "I don't like going outside..."
"Why not?"
"Because I can't see, Momma!"
"Well you don't have to see to enjoy the outdoors, sweetie. There are so many things to smell and hear and feel... We don't go outside just to look. There is so much to the outdoors."
"It's not fair," Lizzy said, turning from Rae. She moved so quickly that she would have fallen if Rae hadn't grabbed her arm. With a sob, Lizzy tore away from her mother and into the house, slamming the door.
Rae frowned and shook her head slowly. "Lizzy," she called, following her inside.
Noelle walked into the far end of the hall. "I think she went upstairs..."
Rae sighed. "Every day just seems to get a little more frustrating. I want to comfort her, but I know she needs her space too... I just don't know what to do."
"She feels more comfortable inside, Rae. Nothing ever changes...she knows exactly where everything is, even though she can't see it... Everything outside that door is always changing..."
"I know but... I just want her to know that there is a world outside this house...that there are so many things for her to discover... So many things she could learn that we can't teach her..."
"Maybe Kenneth can take her into the bookstore one day...they get along so well..."
"That is an idea... Do you think she'd go for it?"
"I think she might. It's always amazed me the way those two are so close. He can't talk or hear and she can't see, but he taught her to sign the alphabet into his hand...it's simply amazing."
Rae smiled. "Yes... I'll bring it up to her at lunch."
"You look tired, dear. Why don't you go rest while I make lunch..." Noelle said with a secretive smile.
After a moment, she nodded. "Are you certain?"
"Positive."
She stood. "All right. But come get me if you would like any help..."
"I'll be fine," Noelle said, breezing into the kitchen.
Rae sat down and picked up a book. Curling up beneath a throw, she began to read. Spot knelt beside her before she even realized that someone was in the room. "Spot! You're back!" She threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
He easily lifted her and sat down with her in his lap. "I have a two week leave."
"That's wonderful," she said with a smile.
He kissed her.
"How are things in Brooklyn?"
"Crazy...as usual..."
She smiled. "I've missed you so much," she whispered, snuggling up against him.
He cradled her close. "I've missed you so much too."
"I wish you didn't have to be gone so much..."
"Me too..." He said softly. "Feel up to taking a walk?" he asked.
She smiled. "That would be wonderful."
"I ran into Chris on my way out here...he said that there was a new addition at his house that we just had to see..."
She smiled. "I think I know what he was talking about."
"He didn't tell me...boy or girl?"
She grinned. "Girl!"
"It's about time."
"I know!"
They both stood and headed toward the door.
Noelle looked out of the kitchen. "Be back for lunch!" Rae giggled as Spot slipped his arm around her waist and waved at Noelle over his shoulder. Noelle smiled and waved back.
"When will you be home for good?" Rae asked.
"Soon I hope."
She hugged him tightly. "I miss you so. We all do."
He stopped and held her close. "I miss all of you too."
"What have you been up to in Brooklyn lately? Just the same things?"
"Yes. I really hate being stuck behind a desk."
She hugged him. "Yes... office work never really was your thing."
He tilted her chin up and kissed her gently.
She kissed him back. "I wish there was a way you could work closer to home...but I guess wishing doesn't get you much. What's done is done."
"It will all be over soon, love."
"I hope so. I hate having you away, having the boys fighting, having Annie all the way in Russia and unable to come home... I just want us to be a whole family again."
He led her head to rest on his shoulder and stroked her hair. "So do I Rae. So do I."
They sat down by the lake and were silent for a moment, just enjoying the sounds of nature.
"How's Marty?" he asked after a while.
"Miserable... She's angry at Jackson for going to fight..."
"He would have had to go eventually...better for him that he volunteered."
"Not to Marty." Rae sighed. "I wish there was something I could do to make her feel better."
"Just keep doing what you've been doing."
"But I still feel so bad for her. She's so hurt."
"Sippi and I have been talking about her...he thinks she's feeling guilty..."
"About marrying Jackson?"
"Yes..."
"I thought so too..."
"He thinks Jackson is feeling guilty as well..."
"Well, Jackson can't help it if he's fallen in love with Marty..."
"She hasn't told him about the baby yet, Rae...Sippi's asked the others not to mention it."
She sighed. "This is just one big sticky mess..."
He stood. "Let's go see Molly and that baby."
She smiled and nodded. "Let's."
He helped her to her feet and they walked over to the house that Chris had built for Molly. Spot knocked on the door. "You have visitors!" he called out cheerfully.
"Come on in," Molly answered.
Spot opened the door, let Rae in, and followed close behind. He smiled at Molly. "How are see her," Molly answered.
Rae and Spot skirted around the furniture and went to Molly's side.
"Oh, she's beautiful," Rae said with a smile.
"We named her Julie."
Spot smiled. "A fitting name."
"Would you like to hold her, Rae?" Molly asked.
"I'd love too, if you're sure."
Molly carefully placed the baby in Rae's arms. Gently, Rae sat down in a nearby chair, smiling down at the little girl.
"Have you heard from Annie or the boys lately?" Molly asked.
Rae shook her head. "I'm expecting a letter from any of them sometime soon... they usually manage to write before I worry too much."
"Do let me know what you hear. I feel so cut off down here."
"Of course we will." Rae handed Julie back to Molly.
"We'll let you get some rest," Spot said.
Molly smiled. "Come back and visit any time."
"We will."
Hand in hand, Spot and Rae left the house. "How about you and I sneak off for a couple days..." Spot suggested.
Rae laughed a bit. "Where would we go?"
"I don't know...somewhere."
She smiled. "Anywhere is fine with me."
He grinned. "We'll stay here for a couple days so I can spend time with the kids and then we'll sneak off..."
She laughed a bit. "Though we might want to warn Noelle or something, so they don't worry."
"Don't worry...I'll let her know."
She smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. He slipped his arm around her. "Spot..."
"Hmm?"
"When we get to the house will you go talk to Lizzy..."
"Sure. What about though??"
"She's upset...but she won't talk to me..."
Spot nodded. "I'll see what I can do."
"I'm worried about her Spot."
"Want to tell me about it?"
"She never wants to leave the house...she locks herself in her room with the books that Kenneth has found for her to read..."
Spot made a concerned noise. "And you haven't gotten anything from her?"
"All she says is that it's not fair..."
"Do you think it's her blindness that bothers her, or is it something else?"
"It has to be the blindness, Spot."
"Well, there isn't much I can tell her that would make her feel better that we haven't already told her. It's not like we can say, oh, it'll get better soon..." He sighed
"We've got to do something...she can't spend the rest of her life in the house."
He nodded, quiet for a moment. "I heard of a school for the blind, should we send her there, perhaps?"
"Where is it?"
"Queens..."
She frowned a bit.
"If we send her now, I'll be nearby if she needs anything..."
"That's true..."
"Rae, if you don't let her try, then you'll be the one preventing her to learn of what's out there."
She sighed deeply. "I suppose you're right. As much as I want her to learn and feel comfortable with herself, I also hate the thought of sending my baby away from me."
He brushed the hair from her face. "I know, love."
She sighed. "But... it's for the best."
"Tell you what...we spend a few days getting her ready and take her to Queens...then I can bring you back before I have to report back for duty."
She nodded. "I hope Lizzy will be okay with this..."
"I'll talk to her."
She smiled and nodded. "Thank you."
He kissed her forehead. "I love you Rae."
She smiled. "I love you too."
He kissed her gently.
"Perhaps we should head back now. It's nearly lunch time."
He nodded and led her back to the house.
"Just in time!" Noelle called from the kitchen when they walked in. "Lunch is ready!"
"Wonderful," Spot said, kissing Rae's cheek. "I'll go get Liz." She smiled and nodded, helping Noelle set the table. Spot trotted up the stairs. "Lizzy?"
"Daddy?!"
He smiled. "Yep, it's me."
The door to Lizzy's room opened.
"Lunch is ready. How've you been?" he asked, hugging her tightly.
She sighed, burying her face in his shirt.
"Tell me what's wrong."
"I want to see..."
He stroked her hair soothingly. "I know..."
"Why can't I see, Daddy?"
"I'm not sure. You got very sick as a baby, and it affected your eyes somehow."
"It's not fair!"
"I know it's not... but you can make this work for you. It doesn't have to be a handicap, you know. There are people who can't see who do incredible things."
"I don't want to do incredible things...I want to see!"
He sighed. He stroked her hair. "Liz, sweetie, why don't you give the school for the blind a try..."
She made a face. "I don't really want to..." She tilted her head a bit. "But..." She sighed. "If you really want me to, I guess I will..."
"Momma and I think it would be best, princess."
She sighed and nodded. "All right..."
"If you aren't happy, I can always come and get you."
"All right... I'm hungry."
"Come on, let's go eat," he said, slipping his arm around her.
They headed down to the dining room, where Noelle and Rae and just finished putting out the food.
Spot helped Lizzy to her seat as the boys came running into the room.
"Smells good!" Sam said, helping himself to huge helpings of everything.
Noelle cuffed his ear lightly. "Fix your sister's plate first."
He made a face but complied. "What do you want, Lizzy?" Then he rattled off what was on the table.
She sighed. "I don't know...just put something on my plate..."
So he put a little of everything on her plate. "There you go."
Rae sent Sam a look as she sat next to Lizzy.
"What?" Sam asked around a mouth full of food.
She shook her head as she told Lizzy where everything was located on her plate. Sam shrugged and started to eat. "I'm not a baby, Momma," Lizzy huffed crossing her arms.
Rae blinked, startled, and fell silent. She stared at Lizzy for a moment as tears filled her eyes. Standing quickly, Rae rushed from the room.
Spot frowned. "Lizzy, was that really necessary?" he asked, before excusing himself and going after Rae.
Lizzy sat in her chair, unmoving. Noelle motioned for the boys to keep eating.
Spot poked his head into his and Rae's the room. "Rae, sweetheart?"
"Yes?" she answered with a sniffle.
He went in and put his arms around her.
"I can't do this Spot," she sobbed.
He stroked her back soothingly.
"She doesn't want my help anymore..."
"Well, she is growing up... But part of her is still frustrated."
She was quiet and after a minute he looked down to see that Rae had fallen asleep. Gently, he lowered her and tucked a quilt snuggly around her. After kissing her head, he headed back into the dining room.
Lizzy was still sulking in her chair.
"You owe your mother an apology," Spot said as he sat back down.
"But Daddy..." Lizzy protested,
"But nothing. She was only trying to help you. She's your mother, and she doesn't deserve to be treated that way."
Lizzy hung her head. "But I'm not a baby, Daddy...I'm tired of being treated like one..."
"You've sure been acting like one," Robert put in.
She scowled in his general direction.
"Stay out of this Robert," Spot growled.
Robert huffed and concentrated on his mashed potatoes.
Spot turned back to Lizzy. "You WILL change your attitude and you WILL apologize to your mother."
"Yes sir..."
"Now eat your lunch."
Silent, she ate.
----------
Andy dropped down onto the ground next to Jackson inside the tent they shared. "Any news from home lately?"
Jackson shook his head. "Not since the last letter." He stretched, stuffing his helmet between his bedroll and the tent wall.
"I got a letter from Sam today..."
"Oh really? What did it say?"
"I think you better read it yourself," Andy said, handing his friend the letter.
Jackson took the battered paper and skimmed it over. He choked and read it again. And again. "She's... she's... she never told me that!"
Andy huffed, not quite sure if he believed his friend. "Are you sure you didn't know? That you weren't keeping in from me just for spite?"
"Of course I didn't know! Does this look like the face of someone who knew?" He gawked at the letter again. "Why wouldn't she tell me something like that? How come I had to hear it from a letter to you from Sam?"
"Would she have any reason to keep something like that from you?"
He frowned. "I don't know... I didn't think so..."
There was a faint whistle and then a loud explosion that shook the ground. Andy looked around. "That was close."
Jackson chewed his lip. "Very... We've had a lot of close calls..." Jackson stood. "I'm gonna go to HQ...see if I can't get leave to go home..."
"Good luck," Andy snorted.
"Hey, you never know." He poked his head back into the tent and smirked. "I'll send you a souvenir."
Andy heard another shrill whistle and then another explosion. This one was so close that shell fragments tore through the tent.
Andy flung himself to the ground, covering his head as dust and debris pummeled into the holes. Once the debris stopped falling, Andy crawled to what used to be the tent flap. "Jackson?" he called.
Grabbing his helmet, which had toppled aside, he crammed it on his head and crawled out of the tent. As the dust cleared Andy spotted his friend several feet away. Jackson wasn't moving. He scrambled to his feet. "Jackson!" he bellowed.
He dropped to his knees next to his friend. Jackson had forgotten his helmet when he left the tent and was bleeding from a head wound. "MEDIC!" Andy yelled. As he glanced around looking for someone who had responded to his call he noticed Jackson's right leg. There was nothing below the knee!
"MEDIC!" he bellowed again.
Finally the medic arrived.
Andy grabbed the man by the shirt. "Do something! You can't let him die!"
"I'll do what I can," he said as several men came over with a stretcher.
"He can't die," Andy muttered, rocking back on his feet. "His wife's gonna have a baby..."
"We'll try as hard as we can."
Andy watched numbly as they carried Jackson off the field.
He was so sick of this! Seeing his friends die beside him... Jackson just couldn't die!