Ch 3

New York, 1943

Stephanie Rogers went to an enlistment office and was in a long line with dozens of men.

After she was up, the enlistment officer gave her a long stare and read her file.

"Rogers. What did your father die of?" the officer asked.

"Mustard gas." Stephanie replied bitterly. "He was in the 107th infantry. I was hoping I could be assigned-"

"Your mother?"

"She was a nurse in a TB ward."

Then the officer read the file, seeing her health issues, and looked up before shaking his head.

"Sorry, ma'am."

"Look, just give me a chance."

"You'd be ineligible on your asthma alone."

"Is there anything you can do?" Stephanie tried one last time, hoping against hope it wouldn't fail.

"I'm doing it." the officer said, shooting down her hopes.

Again.

"I'm saving your life."

The only thing Stephanie could do now was walk off as the officer called up the next guy.

Later, Stephanie watched a movie but there was a newsreel before it.

War continues to ravage Europe...but help is on the way. Every able-bodied young man is lining up to serve his country.

Stephanie looked at her newspaper again, then looked at the newsreel and sighed.

The worst part about this was watching the same newsreels every day and knowing that she would never be able to help fight, always being constantly held back by her asthma, her other health issues, and the fact that she was too thin.

Even little Timmy is doing his part, collecting scrap metal. Nice work, Timmy!

"Who cares?" some jerk shouted. "Play the movie already!

Two rows in front of her, a man was eating popcorn with an annoying smirk.

"Hey, wanna show some respect?"

No one else gave a second glance and the newsreel continued.

Meanwhile overseas, our brave boys are showing the Axis powers that the price of freedom is never to high.

"Get on with it!" the same guy shouted. "Just start the cartoon."

Okay, that was it.

"Hey, you wanna shut up?" Stephanie shouted back.

Then the guy glared back at her and she saw that he was way bigger than her.

BAM!

A hard fist slammed into Stephanie's left cheek.

She staggered back and smelt blood, then gave a hard right hook that broke the guy's nose as she picked up a trash can lid to block the attacks.

Then the guy kicked Stephanie down, causing her to drop her lid as he towered over her.

The spark of pain on her ribs spread all over her and every inch of her body hurt badly.

Suddenly, another guy in an army uniform restrained the jerk.

He was Bucky Barnes, Stephanie's best friend since the day they met.

"Hey! Pick on someone your own size!" Bucky said.

The guy threw a punch but Bucky ducked, then punched the guy in the face.

The guy ran off and Bucky kicked his butt as he went, ensuring that he wouldn't try again.

"You know, Steph, sometimes I think you like getting punched." Bucky joked as he helped Stephanie up.

"I had him on the ropes." Stephanie replied.

"How many times is this?" Bucky asked. "You're from Paramus now? You know it's illegal to lie on that enlistment form. Seriously, Jersey?"

"You get your orders?" Stephanie asked glumly.

"The 107th." Bucky said proudly like and held out his arms as if he were an auctioneer. "Sergeant James Barnes. Shipping out for England first thing tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Stephanie asked as she did a double-take in surprise. Then she hung her head sadly.

"Come on." Bucky said, giving her a little shoulder nudge. "It's my last night. We're gonna get you cleaned up."

"Why?" Stephanie asked, curious. "Where are we going?"

Bucky then showed her the newspaper of the World Expo where famous wealthy people showed off their inventions.

"The future!" Bucky declared with pride.

Stephanie chuckled, then went back home.

Bucky was going to be gone but she was trying not to think about it and this was their last night so they were only going to focus on the good things happening.