1st August, 1944
Head Lice. There seemed to be an epidemic. And the men weren't happy. Around a third of the company was infected. And the source of their misery? Little Lucy Jones. In the aid station turned hair salon, Evelyn, Gene and Spina were up to their eyeballs in lysine and dust combs.
"Ow Evelyn, do you have to be so fuckin' rough?" George was complaining like a baby as she combed through his hair, grimacing whenever she found one of the little bugs. "I'm gonna have no hair left if you keep yanking it like that."
"Oh for God's sake George, quit your whining," she sighed exasperatedly. "If you'd prefer, I'll just shave it all off?"
"Alright, alright," he muttered sulkily. "You know, I blame you for this."
"Me?"
"Yeah, you," he said. "And Bill. You could have kept your fucking infestations to yourselves."
"Aw but you see, Georgie, our mom always told us it was nice to share," she smirked, slapping his hand away as he reached up to scratch his itchy scalp. "And anyway, to be fair, we didn't even know Lucy had them until the other day, let alone that she had been generous enough to give them to us. I tell you, I ain't exactly jumping for joy about it either. You guys think you've got it bad? Be thankful you've all got short hair, because otherwise you really would have something to moan about. Gene, how long did it take you to go through my hair yesterday?"
"About two and a half hours," Gene answered, deep in concentration as he combed through Malarkey's hair.
"See? And you're complaining about sitting here for all of twenty minutes," Evelyn tutted.
"I still blame you," George mumbled to himself. And then yelped as Evelyn clouted him on the top of his head. "What the fuck?"
"Sorry," Evelyn apologised sweetly, trying her best not to smile. "That was a really big one."
Before George could say anything else, the door burst open and Joe Toye stomped in angrily, his eyes blazing.
"Nobody say a fucking word," he warned. "I swear to God Evelyn, you best get these fuckers out of my head before I lose my shit."
"I think you already have, Joe," George commented and Evelyn snorted.
Apparently Toye didn't find that comment very funny though, judging by the glowering expression on his face.
"Take a seat Joe," Evelyn said, pointing to the row of chairs lined up against the wall with various other men from the company sat on them waiting for their turn. "We'll get you sorted eventually."
"You best fucking had."
… … …
11th August, 1944
Almost two weeks later and the head lice fiasco thankfully seemed to have abated. It had taken hours and days of painstakingly thorough combing of everyone on the medics' behalf , but it appeared that the chain had at last been broken. Nobody was happier than Evelyn, seeing as Eugene had threatened to cut her hair if he had to spend hours combing through it again. And she didn't doubt his word.
It was Friday evening, and the company was gathered in the mess hall. They had just finished their dinner and were enjoying welcoming back a few friendly faces from the hospital; Smokey and Talbert being two of them. Walking into the barn turned mess hall, Evelyn was a little disappointed to see she had missed dinner. Of course, she had already eaten at the Jones' but the walk back to camp always built up her appetite. At least that's what she told herself. The truth was that she was always hungry. Always. In fact, she couldn't think of a time when she wasn't hungry.
Giving Smokey a smile and a wave, she saw Talbert sat over at a table with Liebgott and More and headed in that direction.
"Hey Tab," she smiled. "It's good to see you."
"Yeah, you too Ev," Tab smiled back.
"Before you sit next to me, can I just check that you ain't got anything nasty crawling about in your hair?" Liebgott teased as she went to sit down beside him at the table.
"Only thing nasty around here is your face," she answered with a smirk as the rest of the guys whooped and howled at her comeback. Snatching a leftover piece of bread from his plate, she shoved it in her mouth and grinned. "Besides you're just jealous that you didn't get the five star salon experience like the rest of these guys."
"If you say so," Lieb snorted.
Evelyn stuck her tongue out at him as Smokey stood up on his crutches; three purple hearts hanging on his jacket proudly. A hush fell over the room as it became obvious that he was waiting to say something to the room.
"The night of the bayonet," he announced with a smile. "The night was filled with dark and cold when Sgt Talbert, the story's told…"
"I don't like this," Talbert groaned.
"…Pulled on his poncho and headed out, to check the lines dressed like a Kraut…"
"Why's everyone in such a hurry to get back, huh?" Malarkey asked, ruffling Tab's hair and pushing his way in between him and Liebgott on the bench.
"We don't need you anymore, Tab," Alton More smirked.
"Just ignore him Tab," Evelyn said, wolfing down what was left on Martin's plate while he shook his head at her in amusement. "We missed you."
"Would you just shut your mouth already, Guarnere? Some of us are trying to listen to this," Liebgott hissed without any of his usual venom. When he turned back around to look at Smokey, he missed the two fingers Evelyn gave him.
"…Upon a trooper our hero came," Smokey continued. "Fast asleep, he called his name. Smith, oh Smith, get up, it's time. To take your turn out on the line. But Smith, so very weary. Cracked an eye all red and bleary. Grabbed his rifle, he did not tarry. Hearing Floyd, but seeing Jerry…"
"Oh my God!" Smith exclaimed in embarrassment from the table in front of them.
"…'It's me' cried Tab, 'don't do it' and yet, Smith charged toute suite with bayonet. He lunged, he thrust, both high and low. And skewered the boy from Kokomo."
The mess hall erupted, and Smokey, never one to shy away from an audience, lapped it up happily.
"Since you weren't wounded by the enemy and thus didn't qualify for a purple heart, we've taken matters into our own hands," Smokey said, pulling off one his own medals and holding out. "Tab, this is for you."
"I could have shot the kid a dozen times," Tab declared amidst another round of cheers and applause.
"Yeah right," Liebgott smirked.
"I just didn't think we could spare a man," Tab grinned.
"I swear you should be the size of a house the amount you eat," Liebgott commented, turning to watch Evelyn scoff her face. Done with both his and Johnny's plates, she had moved on to Ramirez's.
"You're probably right," she nodded, not the least bit perturbed by his remark.
"Ev! Get over here!" Bill shouted from the table behind her. She looked up and he waved her over.
"Catch you later boys," she muttered, getting up from the table with Ramirez's plate in her hands.
"Ev, come have a seat here next to me," Bill said, shuffling up to make space for her. "I got someone I want you to meet. This is Babe Heffron. Babe, this is my sister, Evie."
"You one of the replacements?" she asked the young, red haired boy sitting opposite them.
"Uh yeah," he smiled, holding out a hand for her to shake.
"Have a guess where he's from?" Bill nudged her as she shook Babe's hand. Babe? What kind of a name is Babe? Surely can't be his real name? And if it is, then his parents need to be arrested for child cruelty.
"Hmm let me think," she put her finger to her mouth and pretended to ponder. "Well, first of all, you hate replacements and don't usually give them the time of day. Uh, no offence to you, Babe. Second of all, you're jumping around like a kid at Christmas. And third, he's got an accent that I would recognise anywhere. Nice to meet a fellow Philly," she smiled at Babe who smiled back warmly.
"You'll never guess where he lives though?" Bill nudged her again. Nudge me one more bloody time, Bill and I'm gonna nudge you back so hard it'll push you right off the bench.
"I'm pretty sure you're about to tell me," she said.
"Front street," Bill grinned.
"Front street? No way," she exclaimed. "In that case, you must know someone called Marcie Zimmerman?"
"Marcie? Yeah, I know her," Babe nodded. "She's a great girl."
"Oh yeah," Evelyn answered, hoping her true feelings about Marcie Zimmerman didn't show through. "She's just great."
"Yeah, so great," Babe nodded.
"Uh-huh, lovely."
"Yep. So lovely."
"Yeah."
"She's such a bitch," Babe suddenly snorted.
"Oh, thank God you said that," Evelyn chuckled. "I actually hate her."
"I don't know many people that don't," Babe smirked.
"Yeah, but I'll bet you don't know anyone that hates her as much as Evie," Bill commented. "Are you gonna tell him why you hate her so much or shall I? Wait 'til you hear this, Heffron."
Babe leaned forward, eagerly awaiting the story while Evelyn strongly resisted the urge to smack her brother in the mouth. He thought the entire story had been hilarious when it had happened, and he still did to this day.
"Ok, so we were nine," Evelyn started. "We were playing out near Montgomery's bakers. You know where I mean, right? That courtyard at the back of it?"
Babe nodded, listening earnestly. He knew the place. Growing up, all the kids hung out there.
"Anyway, there was a whole bunch of us playing in the courtyard, and I had this red ribbon in my hair that my Mom got me from Mrs Lyon's haberdashery that morning. Anyway, we were playing and after a while I realised that I'd lost this ribbon. I was so upset. Everybody was helping me to look for it and then when we finally decided to give up the search, who should return with a red ribbon exactly like mine in her hair?"
"Marcie Zimmerman," Bill grinned, trying desperately hard not to laugh. And failing miserably.
"Hang on a minute, I'm confused," Babe furrowed his brow. "Are you seriously telling me that you hate Marcie because you suspect that she may or may not have stolen your red hair ribbon when you were nine?"
"Exactly," Evelyn nodded, completely serious. "And I don't suspect it. I know it. Even when she told me that she had found it in her pocket, I knew she was lying. So from that day forward, I knew that Marcie Zimmerman couldn't be trusted and that she was a total cow. And to be fair, she's never proven me wrong yet."
Babe looked at Bill incredulously, silently asking for confirmation that Evelyn was being serious, but Bill was too busy crying with laughter. Almost twelve years on and Evelyn still hadn't let the fucking hair ribbon go. The best bit was though, that even after she had lost it, their mom had gone out the next day and bought her a new one. The exact same colour, same size, everything. But apparently it was injustice of it that caused it to be such an issue, even after all this time. Women. They were puzzling.
"Wow," was all Babe could say. "That must have been, uh, traumatic for you."
That sent Bill into even more fits of laughter. Evelyn did not look amused one bit. In a childish fit of annoyance, she punched Bill in the arm and pouted. When he still didn't stop laughing, she stood up with a huff and was about to leave when Lipton stood up to make an announcement. Carwood Lipton had a serious face. While his serious face matched his often serious nature, he did at times have a good sense of humour and was very amiable and easy to get along with. But his expression was always grave, as though he was always waiting for the next bit of bad news to come.
"Listen up! First, the training exercise scheduled for twenty two hundred hours has been cancelled," he announced, waiting for the shouts and yelps of joy to dissipate before continuing. "Secondly, all passes are hereby revoked. We're heading back to France, so pack up all your gear. We will not be returning to England, boys."
Evelyn glanced at Bill, who suddenly didn't look so amused anymore.
"Anyone who has not made out a will should go to the supply office," Lipton continued. It was plain to see in his face that he wished he wasn't the one breaking the jovial mood with such news. But ultimately, someone had to do it. "Trucks depart from Membury at zero seven hundred. As you were."
… … …
2nd September, 1944
As it turned out, Easy Company didn't head to France. Nor did they the next few times they were told they would be. Apparently General Patton's forces on the ground were advancing so well that they didn't need any aid from the airborne. Not that any of them minded. The longer it kept them away from the fighting, the better as far as they were all concerned.
Babe, real name Edward, Heffron seemed to fit right into the company. Being from South Philly, Bill had taken him under his wing and because of this he had been easily accepted by everyone else. So much so that when a group of them decided to head to London one weekend, Heffron was the only replacement invited.
"Isn't it a little early for that?" Evelyn shook her head at George who offered her a flask of something that smelled suspiciously like gin. She almost gagged at the memory of the last and only time she had drank it back at Fort Benning. Taking a swig, George shook his head and passed it over to Joe Toye, who was more than happy to have a drink too. They had left Aldbourne bright and early to catch the first train of the day to London, and less than twenty minutes into the journey George was ready and raring to make the most of his trip away apparently.
"Evelyn, not only do we have a forty eight hour pass in merry old London," George answered in his best attempt at a cockney accent. It actually wasn't a bad effort, but Evelyn wasn't going to tell him. His head was already big enough as it was. "But Easy's very own femme fatale is turning twenty one. Therefore, I think you'll find that nine in the morning is a perfectly acceptable time to start drinking."
"George, do you even know what a femme fatale is?" Evelyn frowned.
"Not really," he shrugged. "Just thought it sounded good."
Evelyn rolled her eyes at Skip who grinned back at her, shaking his head in amusement. Getting up from her seat, Evelyn walked to the other end of the carriage where Liebgott, Skinny and Smokey were seated.
"Hey guys," she smiled, sitting down beside Smokey and opposite the other two.
"George annoying you already?" Skinny asked.
"How'd you guess?" she grinned.
"Hey Ev?" Liebgott said. She looked at him questioningly. "You, uh, got ink or something on your face."
"Where?" she questioned, touching her face subconsciously.
"Right there," Liebgott pointed to her forehead.
"Here?" she licked her finger and rubbed across her forehead. "Gone?"
"Nah it's still there," Lieb answered, his lips twitching as she frowned rubbed at her forehead again. "Oh no, you know what? My mistake. It's not ink after all."
"It's not?"
"No, I realised what it is," he shook his head, openly grinning now. "It's the hugest wrinkle I've ever seen. I thought you said you were twenty one not a hundred and one."
Evelyn folded her arms across her chest and pouted.
"You're not funny," she huffed, kicking at his boot. "And you two stop laughing otherwise you're just gonna encourage him. In fact, you know what? I'm going back to sit with George. He might be annoying but at least he ain't being mean to me."
"Aw no, don't go," Smokey protested. "We're just joking with you."
"Yeah," Skinny added. "Besides, ignore Liebgott, he doesn't know what he's talking about. You don't look a day over thirty."
"You guys are such charmers," she snorted. "So, you all excited for our little weekend in London?"
"Alcohol and women," Smokey rubbed his hands together gleefully. "What is there not to be excited about?"
"You know Alley told me that when he went to London a few weeks back, the women were absolutely gagging for it," Skinny wriggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"Why the hell were you staring at me when you said that, Wayne Sisk?" Evelyn furrowed her brows. "Am I meant to be thrilled by that or something?"
"Sorry Ev, I just forget that you're not like us sometimes."
"What? A male? And a permanently horny one at that?" she snorted. "Genuinely, that's all I ever hear you guys talking about."
"And?" Smokey grinned. "You're just jealous that it's not you we're all talking about."
"Oh yeah, so jealous," Evelyn chuckled, her eyes subconsciously flicking towards Liebgott who wore his characteristic smirk. The smirk that she found incredibly attractive yet annoying at the same time.
"Don't worry though, even when I'm fighting the throngs of girls hanging onto me, I'll still save you a dance seeing as it's your birthday," Skinny winked at her.
"Aw thanks Wayne," she smiled sarcastically. "You're so kind."
"Hey, who wants to play eye spy?" Smokey asked suddenly.
"Eye spy?" Liebgott snorted. "How old do you think we are, Smoke?"
"I just thought it would pass the time," Smokey shrugged.
"Lieb's just upset that he won't be able to play 'cause he don't know how to spell," Evelyn said.
"It's ok, Joe," Skinny patted his arm reassuringly. "I'll help you."
"You two are just as bad as her," Lieb shook his head, but he was laughing all the same. "Right, I'm going first. I spy with my little eye…"
… … …
Evelyn sighed as she sunk in the hot bath water. It was heavenly. After spending the best part of the day seeing all of the sights that London had to offer, they had all decided to come back to the hotel to have a rest and freshen up ready for their wild night out on the town. Knock knock. Evelyn glanced at the door and decided to ignore it. She was enjoying having five minutes of peace and actually being in a bath that she could lie down in. The Jones' only had a metal bathtub like they had back at home in Philly, and she was going to enjoy this rare horizontal luxury while she could. There was a knock at the door again. La la la la, I can't hear you, she thought to herself, flicking her legs about happily in the water.
Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.
"For God's sake," she muttered angrily, climbing out of the tub. Wrapping the bath sheet around her, she shuffled over to the door. Cracking it open ajar, she peeked her head through the gap to see her brother stood there. "This better be good, Bill."
"Christ, you could have put some clothes on before you answered the door. What if it had been George or somebody else?" he tutted as she opened the door wide to let him.
"You're talking as though I opened the door completely stark naked," she scowled at him. "What do you want anyway? Apart from coming here to make digs at me about my nakedness."
"Bleurgh stop talkin' about being naked would you," Bill pretended to shiver. "That's not something I wanna be thinking about."
"You started it," she answered flippantly, for the first time noticing the bag in his hand. "Ooh what's in the bag?"
"Shut your face for two minutes and you'll find out. Here," Bill thrust the bag at her. "Happy birthday."
"It's for me?" Evelyn was shocked.
"Well that is what usually happens when it's someone's birthday," Bill rolled his eyes. "Now are you gonna open it?
"You don't have to ask me twice," Evelyn grinned, putting the bag down on the bed and delving inside it.
Pulling out a dress in a deep purple colour with capped sleeves and a full skirt, she gasped. She knew where she had seen this dress before, and it was even more beautiful now than the first time she had seen it.
"I remembered you looking at it in that shop when we went to Swindon with Lucy," Bill said, watching her reaction carefully. "So I, uh, went back for it last weekend and luckily it was still there. I hope it fits right. I didn't really know what size you were so I just kinda had to explain you to the woman in the shop."
"Bill, it's beautiful," she flung her arms around him happily. "I love it. Thank you."
"Right this just feels weird," Bill grimaced, patting her back before pushing her away gently. "You can hug me properly later when you've got more than a frigging towel on. And anyway, it ain't just me you gotta thank. All the guys chipped in to pay for it."
"Well I'm definitely not hugging any of them until I'm properly dressed," she giggled, feeling touched at the gesture from them all. She felt so lucky to have such a good group of friends. Friends who she would never have met in a million years if war hadn't brought them all together. Strange how something so terrible could bring about something so good at the same time.
"My thoughts exactly," Bill smirked. "Well on that note, I'm gonna disappear and let you get ready. Meet you downstairs at seven. And try not to be late, huh? Oh and Ev? I kind of came to a little understanding with Winters, and he agreed that seeing as you only turn twenty one once, you don't gotta wear your uniform tonight."
Holding the dress up to herself, she spun around in a circle and squealed happily as Bill shut the door behind him, chuckling at her obvious joy. Tonight was going to be a good night. She could just feel it.
… … …
Evelyn felt slightly self-conscious as she headed downstairs to find everyone else. The dress was beautiful and with her long hair cascading down her back she felt like a million bucks, but none of them, aside from Bill, had ever seen her in anything other than her uniform and she was nervous to see their reactions. Especially Liebgott's. Entering the foyer, she spotted the guys gathered around in a group and realised that she was the last one to come down. Unsurprisingly.
"Hey, there's the birthday girl," George spotted her first. "Move on over Rita Hayworth."
Evelyn giggled as George grabbed her hand and spun her around gently, making her dress spin out with the motion.
"Seriously Ev, you are smoking hot," Malarkey's eyes were practically bugging out of his head.
As everyone began giving her compliments, she blushed under the scrutiny, feeling embarrassed with all the attention. Part of her wished that she had just worn her uniform, then they wouldn't all be looking at her so strangely. But the opportunity to wear something so pretty and feminine after two years of khaki had been too hard to pass up. Plus, it would have been rude not to wear the dress when it was a gift from them all. Looking around, Evelyn caught Liebgott's eye. He winked at her and she blushed even more red.
"Yeah alright everyone, stop ogling my baby sister," Bill pushed through them all to get to her. "Looking good kiddo," he smiled. "And only twenty minutes late. Not too bad."
"I'm getting better," she laughed, taking Bill's arm.
"I know, we might actually make it to the club for the time we said we would," Bill said.
"Do you reckon we'd have time to get something to eat along the way?" she wondered. "I'm starvin'."
"Sure thing, kiddo," Bill smirked. "Would hate for you to waste away, especially when we've just spent all that money on your birthday present."
… … …
The Cove and the Gardens was the place to be on a Saturday night so it seemed. It was absolutely heaving; full of civilians and servicemen and women alike. There were two huge dancehalls and a live band playing all of the most popular tunes of the moment. The atmosphere was electric, and everybody in there was out to have a good time. Despite numerous protests, Evelyn refused the countless offers of anything alcoholic to drink. She was pretty sure she would never ever touch another drop of alcohol for the rest of her days. Besides, this was one night she definitely wanted to remember and keep a clear head for.
"Would you check out the moves on Heffron," George nudged her. The table they were sat at afforded them the perfect view of the bigger dance floor, and it took Evelyn less than thirty seconds to spot Babe's tall form jiving around the shiny floor with a blonde girl who looked like she kept stomping on his toes. Despite his obviously dire dance partner, it was plain to see that he was a rather good dancer.
"I think he needs a better partner though," Evelyn chuckled, glancing around the room. Everyone else was spread out, having fun. Malarkey, Toye and Skip were chatting over in the far corner; Bill was sitting with them, a rather busty redhead sat on his knee laughing at something he was saying to her. Evelyn made a mental note to berate him about that later. Would he never learn? Jackass. And Liebgott was… actually where was Liebgott? She thought that maybe he had gone outside until she saw him standing at the bar with Skinny and Smokey chatting to a group of girls. Jealousy gripped her immediately.
"Oh I wouldn't worry about her," George commented as a rather vivacious brunette leaned into Lieb and whispered something in his ear. "Something tells me he's not interested in her."
"What's it got to do with me if he is? She looks like a nice girl. At least from what I can tell from here anyway," she tried to act casually by taking a sip of her drink. George of course saw straight through her.
"Oh my little Evelina, you're so funny sometimes," George chuckled, kissing her cheek. "I'm telling you now, he's not interested. He's been too busy staring at you all night."
"Shut up, George," she shoved him playfully. "How would you know who or what Lieb's been looking at when you've spent the last hour staring at little Miss red dress over on the next table."
"You noticed that huh?" George grinned.
"You ain't exactly subtle, George," she smirked. "Go ask her for a dance? The way she's looking at you I don't think she's gonna turn you down."
"Of course she won't," George scoffed. "You do know that I am completely irresistible to the opposite sex, don't you? And unfortunately for you, the day you realise what an utter sex god I am, it'll be too late."
"Well I'm sure I'll deal with my heartbreak just fine when the time comes," she snorted. "Now off you go."
"Will you be alright on your own?" George checked, downing the remainder of his drink. After the amount he had drank, Evelyn wasn't sure how he still stood upright in all honesty.
"Yes, now go," she shooed him away, following him as he went to talk to the girl. Within seconds she had her head thrown back and was laughing. Good old George. He never had any trouble laughing a girl into bed.
"So when's the birthday girl gonna come and dance with me?"
Evelyn looked up and grinned at Babe, whose cheeks were flushed red with exertion.
"All you had to do was ask Babe," she answered standing up. "You had enough of your current dance partner?"
"Yeah just a bit," he laughed. "I decided that I actually wanted to dance with someone who is gonna stay off of my feet and who could match me in skill."
"But how do you know I can do any of that? You ain't never seen me dance," Evelyn questioned, taking his hand and allowing him to lead her onto the packed dance floor.
"Yeah but it's given 'cause you're from Philly. And I know for a fact that nobody can jitterbug like a Philly girl can," Babe grinned. "Unless this is the part where you prove me completely and utterly wrong."
"Quite possibly," she snorted.
"Meh who cares," Babe shrugged as the band struck up their next song. "You can't be any worse than that other broad."
It turned out that Evelyn was a lot better than the other broad, and she spent the next hour trying to keep up with Babe as they were jitterbugging and jiving all over the place. Christ, dancing at Babe's unforgiving speed was almost as tiring as having to run up and down Currahee in full gear. The guy's energy seemed limitless. Eventually she had to cry off for a rest, promising Babe she would be back to dance some more after a little break.
After a quick trip to the ladies' room, which was full to bursting with women gossiping and touching up their makeup, Evelyn decided to head outside for some fresh air. She was so hot, she thought she might melt into a great big puddle if she didn't feel some cool air on her skin.
The second she stepped outside, the cool summer breeze hit her face and she sighed contentedly. There were a few people milling about outside the club, smoking and chatting but she didn't pay them much attention.
"You shouldn't be out here on your own."
Turning her head at the sound of Liebgott's voice, he smiled as she walked over to him.
"Well I'm not on my own now, am I?" she smirked, gathering her hair at the nape of her neck and lifting it to allow the gentle evening breeze to cool her down even more. "I was sweating cobs in there."
"I'm not surprised with the way Heffron was flinging you about," he snorted.
"I know. I thought he was gonna cry when I told him I needed a break. I had to promise I would only be there for ten minutes," she laughed. "So how come you're out here anyway? You not having fun in there?" She wanted to ask about the brunette from the bar but decided against it. Wimp.
"Just wanted a breath of fresh air," he answered simply. "Also I was trying to escape from some man eater who firmly had her sights set on a paratrooper, and unluckily for me I was the victim that caught her eye."
"You say that like it's a bad thing," she joked, almost testing the water to gauge his reaction. "I thought that was the whole reason you guys came to London. What was it Smokey said on the train? Alcohol and women?"
"Yeah, that's what Smokey said, not me," he muttered. "I thought we came here to celebrate your birthday."
Well that's me told, Evelyn thought, glancing down at her shoes, the pavement, a pigeon on the street. Basically anywhere that wasn't Liebgott.
"Ev?"
She looked up.
"I, uh, don't think I've told you this, but, uh, you look real pretty tonight," Liebgott mumbled almost uncomfortably.
"Oh, thanks," was all she could answer with a small smile. Liebgott was staring at her strangely. His eyes had darkened, but he didn't look angry. Far from it actually. He stepped closer and she could smell the musky scent of his cologne. He opened his mouth as though he was about to say something and then shook his head. She frowned, her heart thudding inexplicably in her chest as she stared up at him. Even in her heels, she only just about came up to the base of his throat.
"Are you alright?" she asked quietly, almost in a whisper.
Liebgott nodded. Still looking at her in a way that made her feel as though he could see right inside her soul. It was…odd.
"Close your eyes," he suddenly said.
"What?" she laughed nervously but realised he was deadly serious.
"Just do it," he said, his eyes boring into hers. Feeling a little stupid, and a nervous smile playing on her lips, she nonetheless did as she was asked.
Seconds passed and nothing. Then suddenly a warm hand cupped her cheek and a pair of lips skated over her own in a ghost of a kiss that was so gentle she wasn't sure it had actually been real. Opening her eyes wide in shock, Liebgott smirked at her reaction, his thumb grazing back and forth over her cheek; his eyes taking in every inch of her face. And then he leaned down and kissed her again. This time there was no doubting it. Joseph Liebgott was actually kissing her. Well kiss him back you fuckin' idiot. Snaking an arm around her waist, he pulled her against him as he deepened the kiss, his tongue teasing her lips apart. Reaching her arms up around his neck, one drifting subconsciously up into his hair, Liebgott groaned when her tongue tentatively reached out to touch his.
"Ev, you out here?"
They sprung apart as though they had been burned the very second they heard Bill calling for his sister. Her chest heaving, Evelyn wiped at her lips as though the evidence of their kiss was all over them for everyone to see. Liebgott lit up a cigarette casually as though nothing had even happened and nodded at Bill when he approached.
"What are you doing out here?" Bill asked. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," she answered quickly, unable to meet Bill's eye. "I was just hot so I came out for some air."
"Oh," Bill narrowed his eyes at her. Something about her looked off. "Well, are you coming back in? Babe's chomping at the bit waiting for you to come back and dance with him. I tell you, that kid's got more energy than a five year old. I was tired just watching you two."
"Yeah, I'll be back inside in a minute," she nodded, waiting for Bill to turn around and go back inside. When he didn't she could have kicked him. Instead he lit up a cigarette and leaned against the wall, making himself comfortable.
"I'm gonna go back in there and find Skinny," Lieb announced, filling the awkwardly silent void. "Make sure he's not getting in too much trouble."
Evelyn wanted to follow him. Wanted to ask him what the hell that kiss had been for, but she couldn't. At least not without alerting Bill to the fact that something had gone on. And she did not need his drama right now. Not when her head was already a jumbled mess trying to process what had just happened.
"Did I interrupt something out here?" Bill questioned, taking a drag of his cigarette.
"Like what?" she asked, her voice higher than usual. She cleared her throat. "Uh, what would you be interrupting exactly? We were just out here talking."
"Uh huh," Bill nodded, giving a look of complete and utter disbelief. "I hope that's all you were doing."
"And what the fuck is that supposed to mean?"
"You know exactly what it means," he gave her a pointed look. "The guy is an absolute dickhead, and he's not even worth being in your presence let alone anything else. And I know that you've got a stupid little crush on him, Christ knows why, and I don't want him finding out and taking advantage."
"Oh for God's sake," Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Calm yourself down before you explode, will you? I just told you, we were talking. Nothing else. And you know what Bill? I'm just gonna say this right here, right now. Even if, and I mean if, there is ever the slightest chance that Joe Liebgott feels anything other than friendship for me, then it ain't any of your damn business. You're not my keeper, you know."
"I think you'll find it's got everything to do with me," Bill sputtered.
"No, it doesn't. Now would you just stop harping on and help me think of a good excuse as to why I can't dance anymore with Babe?" she said, trying to change the subject before they had an all out row.
"I don't think anything short of chopping off your legs will stop Babe in his quest to get you back onto that dancefloor," Bill decided. "I think you've ruined all other girls for him."
"Hmm I think you're right. Come on, let's get it over with then."
As she followed Bill back into the club, she put a hand to her mouth, still feeling the tingle of Joe's lips on her own. Her heart began to race as she thought about it. It might have taken her twenty one years to have her first kiss, but it had been more than worth the wait.
