"I just couldn't stay in the Navy when Canada was sending so many good men over to the European front. I'm needed more there than I am here. Militarily, I mean," he qualified awkwardly.
"No, I understand," said Izzy, swiping the back of her hand across her eyes. "I'd be doing the same thing, if I were you."
"Mother doesn't understand."
"Of course she doesn't," snapped Izzy. "She doesn't want anything to happen to you. She loves you."
Felix cast a sidelong glance at his friend, who was quite possibly ruining her hat by twisting the brim back and forth. "But you do understand."
She sighed. "Yes, I do. It doesn't mean I like it. I don't want anything to happen to you, either. And France is a long way away in the best of times."
For a few moments, there was silence. Izzy stared out the window and watched the Nova Scotia landscape race past. Felix stared at Izzy.
"They'll probably be back from the dining car soon," he said. "Mother and Father, I mean."
"Most likely."
"Well...before they get back...I just wanted to ask...."
She turned to face him, curious. "What is it?"
"If it isn't too much," he rushed.
Exasperated, she shoved him playfully. "They're going to be back before you get your question out, at this rate. What?"
He took her hand and she went still. "I don't know how long I'll be gone," he said. "Could be a few months, could be a few years. You'll probably meet a lot of really nice men while I'm gone, but…." He grinned sheepishly. "Will you wait for me, anyway?"
"I've been waiting, Felix," she replied quietly. "I'm not giving up on you now just because you'll be in Europe."
"You're amazing, you know that?"
"I've often suspected it."
"One more question," he asked.
"Sure."
"Would you rather I kiss you goodbye now while my parents aren't here or wait until we're on the dock with everybody around?"
Izzy looked thoughtful. "That assumes I'm going to let you kiss me at all, doesn't it?" She laughed at Felix's wounded expression. "Idiot," she said fondly. "You can do both, if you like."
He did.