A Special Event

The home on "E" street was awake early that Monday morning. Elizabeth was already in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Emily and Charlie were dressing. Charlie, of course, had no choice to make as to what he would wear but Emily did.

The dress she chose that morning was a simple shirtwaist dress; the top looked like a blouse but it was attached to the skirt.

The skirt of Emily's dress fell just below her knees; it had only a slight amount of fullness. The dress had short sleeves. A contrasting piece of rust-red cotton fabric trimmed the buttonholes, the collar and the end of the sleeves.

Charlie smiled when he saw her. "Your dress is perfect for volunteering at the hospital. If it was all white, it could be a nurse's uniform."

"It's comfortable too, Charlie. And of course you look handsome even in your everyday uniform."

On that comment, they kissed and joined Elizabeth in the kitchen for breakfast. Emily commented on her dress.

"I see you're wearing the dress you wore the day you met Charlie."

"Yes, I wasn't sure what to wear. I thought this simple grey dress with a jacket would be appropriate for a receptionist at the British Embassy."

"You look lovely, Elizabeth."

"Thank you Charlie. We better not linger too long. Emily and I don't want to be late our first day."

They didn't linger. Charlie and Emily had one final kiss before he watched them walk away to the bus stop. They would later tell him they easily made connections for the bus to take to each of their destinations. Charlie got in his car and drove to the navy building.

He arrived shortly before the Admiral did. He knew about Elizabeth's position as the receptionist for the British Embassy; he didn't know about Emily volunteering at the hospital. He was rather surprised when Charlie told him.

"I never knew Emily was an ambulance driver. I'm sure our wounded men will enjoy her visits. Have you read the overnight communiques?"

"Not yet, sir, let me read them to you."

The Admiral listened as Charlie first read the one from General Eisenhower.

"After successfully breaching Hitler's coastal defense of France, the troops were able to capture the port at Cherbourg. The Germans have withdrawn from the area. I anticipate freeing France in short time."

"I always knew Eisenhower's plan would work. What's in the communique from the Pacific war?"

Charlie scanned the document. He hesitated for a moment before reading it.

"Operation Allied Island-Hopping continues. The Japanese continue to put up strong resistance. The troops are moving on to Saipan in the Mariana Islands of the Central Pacific. I expect another fierce fight."

"Charlie, I don't think anyone knew how ruthless the Japanese warlords are; they deny a civil description. Sadly we're going to be engaged with them for many more months."

The admiral left for his office wondering what it would take to defeat the Japanese. He was still working on his funding request for the navy. He now hoped that because of the war in the Pacific, the congress would approve his request.

The day ended and Charlie hurried home to Emily. She was equally excited to see him. Charlie let Emily talk and tell him all about her day at the hospital.

"I'm so happy to be a volunteer. I even learned how to play Chess. The young soldier who taught me told me, after he had already won two games, that he was the Chess Champion of his school. He's going home in a couple of days."

"I'm sure you'll find other men who know how to play. I learned in high school but it was not my favorite thing to do. I preferred playing on the baseball team. Did your mom enjoy her day?"

"She did. I'll let her tell you who she met today."

"I can't even imagine who it was."

Charlie didn't have long to wait. Elizabeth greeted him with her announcement.

"Charlie, I shook hands with Churchill today. He's in America to meet with the President. I overheard his aide. They're going to discuss some leader named Stalin; they didn't say his first name or his title. Do you know who he is?"

"I do. His title is rather lengthy but it tells you exactly what he is. He's the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union."

"Now I know why it's not used."

"The country's relationship with Joseph Stalin is complicated. He has ideas like Hitler's but Hitler dislikes like him. The dislike was so fierce Hitler invaded Russia. They engaged in a terrible war.

"Our leaders had to decide which one it might help; Stalin was chosen because it was thought he didn't have evil intent. Our leaders were beginning to believe the reports of the Jewish people being murdered by Hitler's men.

"We didn't put any troops in Russia; we helped in other ways. The German army was defeated. Stalin became our ally in January of 1943."

"In other words, the leaders decided on the lesser of the two evil men."

"Yes, that's exactly what they did. What are you cooking? It smells good."

"It's only a pot roast with lots of vegetables. We stopped at the District Grocery Store on our way home. They had received a shipment of fresh vegetables. We now have our sturdy brown paper bags with handles.

In a few minutes, their meal was ready. They sat in the kitchen to eat. Even with the dumbwaiter, they found using the dining room to be inconvenient.

Emily suspected her mother was tired. After helping wash and dry the dishes, Charlie and Emily said goodnight. Emily's suspicion was correct. After reading for only a short time, she grew sleepy and went to bed.

Emily and Charlie weren't too tired for their usual activity.

Every day was almost identical to the other. The calendar now was turned to the month of July. They had entered the month which the locals described as the hot, humid and rainy days of summer. It never rained long. The rain usually lowered the temperature and made the evenings pleasant.

After dinner on most nights, the couple could enjoy a pleasant walk through the park. It was during one of their walks towards the end of the month when Emily had some news to share.

"Charlie, do you remember our first walk here?"

"I do. I also remember your remark that the sidewalk would make pushing a baby carriage easy. Why did you ask?"

"You really don't know?"

Charlie abruptly stopped. He couldn't speak without stammering. "Are you…are you pregnant?"

"I am, darling."

Charlie reached for her. He swung her around in his arms. He put her feet on the ground. He looked her over from head to toe. The only thing he saw was her extra wide, full smile and her eyes sparkled.

"Haven't you notice my fullness?"

"I do now. My mind didn't compute what I was feeling during our closeness. How do you feel?"

"Fine, I don't how I'm supposed to feel. I haven't been the least bit sick in the morning. I had a cousin who had a terrible time with her morning sickness."

"Any idea of a date when the baby may be born?"

"I think it may be early in April."

"Emily, I never thought I could be happier than the day we were married, but I am."

"I'm that happy too, Charlie. I'm going to ask Sarah if she knows a baby doctor."

"I'm sure she does. Now let's go tell your mother and later we'll call my parents."

"Charlie, I think she knows. I saw her looking at me."

Elizabeth smiled as they came in the house. It filled her face. "Did Charlie know you were pregnant or did you have to tell him?"

"I didn't know, Elizabeth. Now that I do, I can't believe I didn't notice her fullness. We want to call my parents and share with them the good news."

"I'm sure Maryann will be as happy as I am to be a grandmother."

Charlie sat on the chair near the table with the telephone. He picked up the receiver. In a few seconds the ladies heard.

"Operator, I'd like to place a person-to-person long distance call to Los Angeles California."

Charlie heard. The number please. He answered. "Earl Madison, Los Angelus14L2."

He then heard. Your name and number. Charlie responded. "Charlie Madison W592."

The ladies heard. "It's ringing."

Charlie heard the call was answered. "It's Charlie, Dad. You better call mom to the phone."

In a few seconds he didn't hear his dad's voice, it was Maryann who spoke. Is everything alright?

"Couldn't be better, Mom."

"Stop teasing her, Charlie."

"Emily and I have some good news."

Is she pregnant?

"She is and I couldn't be happier."

Emily grabbed the receiver from Charlie. "And Maryann I've not had any morning sickness."

I'm so glad to hear; it can be awful. Earl has something to tell Charlie.

"You're dad needs to tell you something."

"Hmmn, I wonder what?"

He listened to his dad. Charlie, LA is no longer that small city we liked when I first bought our house. We're moving east.

"That's wonderful news. I told Emily you may leave there when we had our first child. Where in the east are you going?"

Emily was smiling; she couldn't wait to hear the answer.

Charlie repeated his dad's response. "So you're going to be the maintenance supervisor for apartments in Arlington Virginia."

You heard correctly. The Willard's are buying our home. The position in Virginia includes a furnished apartment. I'll let you know when we are traveling east.

"Emily and I will be looking forward to that call. It's time to end my call. Tell mom, I love her. Goodbye, Dad".

"Charlie, this is so exciting. Now our child will have three grandparents to spoil him or her. Do you know where these apartments are located?"

"Not exactly, the State of Virginia isn't very far from here. Admiral Jessup or Bus may know their exact location. After I learn, we can visit them on a Saturday."