Missing
Chapter 2
Cole was speechless. Her throat swelled.
"W-what?" she stuttered.
"We have been planning it for a great deal of time now and you are getting old. It is time to settle down and have children," her mother explained to her.
The young girl heaved a great sigh.
"May we discuss this later, mother. I am much too tired," she said.
"Yes, of course."
Cole shot out of her mother's room and back into her room.
Dear Darry and Pony,
This is my last week of work before I get a few days break. I haven't been sent to the front lines yet, so don't worry.
I sure miss home. Every morning I wake up to the stew and bread they like to call a meal and I wish for some chocolate cake. That sure sounds good right now. I haven't had much time to write lately. I'm sorry. I think this will be my last letter for a while, too, but don't worry. I'm alright. Tell everyone there I said hi.
I hope to be home soon. I miss you guys.
Your brother, Sodapop
"Why didn't you tell me?" Cole hissed.
"What did you want me to say?" Tom answered and he gazed up from his desk.
"I wanted you to tell me that they were arranging my marriage. Ya' know, maybe give me a little clue or something," she whispered.
She didn't want her Auntie Lynn to hear her talking to her brother this way so she tried to keep her voice down.
"And what would you have done if I had told you?" Tom stood up.
"I don't know!" Cole said.
"Yes you do," Tom responded, "you wouldn't have come with me. I know that."
"Is that so wrong?" the girl cried, "I don't even know this guy."
"You don't care about that," Tom said, "You're thinking about your little friend aren't you?"
"His name is Darrel," she said through clenched teeth.
"Yes, Darrel," Tom nodded.
Cole heaved a dry sob at the sound of his name. Tom bounded over to her quickly and placed his hands on each of her shoulders. He rubbed her arms in a comforting matter.
"Cole, there's nothing that can be done. You have to just forget about him, okay?" he said.
"I love him, Tom," she cried, not looking up at him.
Tom gazed down at her and sighed.
"I didn't think you loved anyone, Cole," he said.
She shrugged, "I didn't think I could."
They stood in silence for a moment.
"I want to marry him," She spoke finally; "I want to marry Darrel."
Cole watched her brother's eyes flit around the room as if he was in deep thought. He breathed deeply and then he looked back at her.
"There's a payphone a few blocks north of here. You can take my card and use it. Call him, Cole. But I wouldn't hope for any miracle," he said.
Cole hugged flung her arms around Tom's neck.
"Pick up. Pick up. Pick up. Please, pick up," Cole muttered as the phone continued to ring.
"Hello?"
"Darrel!" Cole practically shouted.
"Cole? Where are you?" he asked.
"Vietnam, I'm still in Vietnam," she said quickly, "They're going to make me marry him."
"What? Who?"
"They're going to make me marry that boy, that's why they brought me here. I should have known. Why else would I just 'visit'?" She said.
"Slow down, baby. Wait second," he said.
Cole could tell that he was trying to digest the information that was just given to him.
"Listen," she said, "I don't have much time. I'm on a payphone and my aunt is going to discover me missing soon. I can't take another lecture from her."
"Okay," he said, "What do you need me to do? Do you need money, Cole? I'll do anything."
"I don't know, Darrel," tears were running down her cheeks, the sound of his voice made her homesick for him, "That's the problem. I can't get out of here. They're not letting anyone out; not since the war started."
There was a pause. The only thing that Cole could make out was the sound of his breathing.
"Geez, Cole, what the hell are we going to do?"
"I might be able to catch a plane in a few months, if things start to clear up," she said, "But I'll be married to this guy by then."
Silence.
"Cole, I have an idea, babe. Just sit tight for a few days, okay? Then call me back," he said.
"Okay," Cole said, she was still choked up.
"It's going to be alright," He said, even though she knew that he wasn't so sure himself.
"Okay. I love you, Darrel."
"I love you, too," he said.
She was reluctant to hang up the phone, but she had to get home.
A/N: Another shortie by me. I have the next chapter uploaded and I should have it posted within the next few days. I'm looking for some constructive critisism! Thanks to all of my wonderful reviewers!
