– 1943 –
It had been a hot day in summer when Kate and Betty went to see the house they'd purchase. They couldn't hold hands or display any affection openly as they were approaching the house, should anyone see them. They didn't want to start off their reputation with notoriety. But when Betty turned to look at Kate, tears brimming over her eyes, the sentiment was conveyed just as well as they may have been touching.
"Oh, Kate," Betty nearly whispered, now looking towards the house. Kate's gaze lingered on Betty, transfixed by her. She had been the first person Betty told about her dream to buy a house to herself. And while she needed to build some assurance and credit to get herself a loan for it, Kate insisted on contributing – on terms that she may be a roommate as they had discussed years ago.
Kate took Betty's hand in her own and gave it a gentle squeeze before letting go. "Come on, let's go inside…"
As days went by they managed to settle themselves in all the while working long shifts at Victory Munitions and going out with their friends. Once they'd managed to get all their belongings sorted, they invited the girls from Vic Mu over to the house where they smoked cigarettes on and around their discount sofa and drank throughout the evening. While they were collecting their necessities gradually but swiftly, they paid no mind in having to sleep on thin mattresses on the floor or smoke a little less to save money. And while Gladys fervently offered to help them get what they needed sooner, a bed frame, a decent fridge, they always declined. They were happier that way. They found happiness in each other where they couldn't find it in their immediate surroundings.