Chapter Thirty-Four
The war ended that same year in which Alice was rescued. She was happy that they had stepped into that special year of 1945 but at the same time her heart crushed that they'd died so close before the end of the war.
To be exact, the war ended on September the 2th. Few months before that, the newspapers were filled with promising news, for many countries were free before that date. As each time another country was set free, the end came nearer.
It was on exactly that date when the war came officially to an end that Alice could say her dream came true. The war which she'd fought also was finally over and all survivors could come back home.
The end of the war was celebrated world wide with cheers, kisses, hugs and words that had been left unsaid. Alice witnessed a great deal of this joy during her fulltime function at a hospital. Her career as a nurse suited her well and she took great pleasure in helping patients with their basic needs.
Her work colleagues were very distant of Alice, probably because she wasn't even eighteen yet. Her lie had been out on the table when she'd come back to America. Now she was forced to live with foster home, for she had not yet reached the adult age. The home wasn't a bad place to be. Most children were much younger than herself, but they all shared one thing in common in that home. They were all orphans.
Alice had plans for December the 25th. Not her birthday per se, but the moment she'd have a mature age. Already she'd found a small place, in which she planned to live on her own. When that day came, it was rough in the beginning. She had little money, but managed fine with little food and not so many clothes. She was already happy that she had her own independence, her own job and her own - however little it may be - money, clothes and basic supplies.
In an alternate life, she would be married now and living together with her husband. Instead, she more felt like a widow. Some days were cruel, very cruel. She'd wake up screaming from bad dreams. Her body would be drenched in sweet. Some days, she couldn't get out of bed, but eventually forced herself, so she would get to work. On those days, she was very distracted and scared she might not fulfill her tasks at the hospital correctly.
The war damaged Alice and she never thought of seeking help. There were doctors and psychiatrist, of course. But they cost money. Also she couldn't imagine what the use would be to speak to someone who hadn't been through what she'd been through.
Perhaps Jasper had been right about one thing. War was not meant for children. Whom was war meant for then? Adults? Men? Strong people, like Jasper? Was there ever the right kind of person who was meant to fight a war?
She didn't expect to ever see that man again. He'd chosen to remain in war and she'd never received clearly from him where he lived. The war in Berlin had been so horrible during that time that Alice wondered if he even made it out alive while still recovering from an infected gunshot wound. Not to forget the new gunshot wound that happened to him right before they flew in the helicopter
Time had a funny way of passing by. Three years later, at 21, she lived an isolated life, except for her job where she met the kindest patients whom would all usually comment on her height. Many also asked her about her hair. After the war, she left it short. It was difficult at first, but she bought a pair of sharp scissors and cut it herself every month. After a few times, she'd become very handy with the process and not having the need to go the a hairdresser saved her money.
It was four years after the war when Alice first had a nightmare about Jasper. She'd dreamed that he died in the war and that his loss mattered. Upon waking up, she was gasping hard as she was able to still remember the exact shade of green that his eyes were. Or that honey blonde hair with a slight wave to it. And the way he spoke German and English.
Also on that same day as the nightmare she received a letter. Exactly on September the 2th 1949 she held a letter in her hand with the American Army emblem on the front of the enveloppe. She ripped it open nervously to see what it read. A thousand thoughts ran in her mind. Mostly she was scared that they'd want to sue her for lying to the system.
On top of the letter, she saw the following in big letters.
IN HONOR OF YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY
Dear Mary Alice Brandon,
We have sent you this letter in honor of your service to America. You have served our country as a nurse, making personal sacrifices to our country. We are hosting an event in honor of all who have served America during the war. Hereby we'd like for you to join this event on September the 2th.
Alice stared at the letter in horror.
"Today?" she asked out loud.
She looked in the corner of the letter and noticed it had been sent a week ago. Last night after her shift, she had no post. So the letter had quite the delay.
"Today..." she repeated.
It was Friday in the afternoon after her shift when she found this letter. She'd worked since three in the night until one in the afternoon. She'd only just come home in her nursery clothes, but if she took a train now, she could make it on time to...
Texas.
The city where they were hosting the event.