I want to dedicate this story to KarlieQ, furthershewrote and Laurawritesfiction. You've inspired me more than you know. Thanks for the reviews and follows. I used some aspects of Bill Windom's life for this story. He was born in September 1923 but I changed the year to 1926 to jibe with stuff Seth has said. Bill's mother was sort of overbearing and he did suffer from Asthma.
It was a crispy December morning in 1942. The boys were returning home from school after a stop in the general store to warm up a bit. Mr. Jebbers was listening to the radio. It was a year since the United States entered World War 2 and the government had just lowered the draft. Both boys were fiercely patriotic and every bit of news about the Japanese made their blood boil.
They finally got home but Irene was not there. Seth found a note in the kitchen saying a stew was on the stove. She was at Mrs. Wilson's who had taken ill. Irene noted she would be home by supper time. Of course their father was still at work.
"Damn Japanese," Richard muttered. I bet if I was over there I'd kill a whole mess of them.
"Yeah, right,' Seth chuckled. His younger brother was certainly more stocky in frame and had a bigger temper but he was short compared to the other boys his age.
"What do you mean, Seth? You think you could do better?"
"Nope but I bet we could kick some ass…together. Imagine the Hazlitt men running them Japanese off the field!"
The two chuckled. The house was cool as their father was strict about using the heat. It was only allowed to be on at bedtime.
"So damn chilly in here," muttered Richard. He went to the liquor cabinet and took out a bottle of his dad's prized Irish whiskey. He took a swig. "Dad will tan your hide for sure if he finds out," warned Seth. However, Richard didn't care and offered the bottle to Seth.
Back and forth until the bottle was empty. Both boys sitting in the living room, laughing and making off colored remarks about the enemy. Richard stood up and began to put on his jacket. "Come on, Seth. Let's got to town and enlist."
"Are you crazy? We're too young?"
"What are you afraid of? You and I both look older than we are. We can lie about our age…no one will know. You want to be a mama's boy for the rest of your life?"
Seth stared at his brother. Seth hated how much his mother doted and he hated what was happening to his beloved country. He shook his head and stood up to put on his winter gear. The two brothers, just 16 and 13, marched down to the Army recruitment office. Well marched isn't exactly what they did as the two were so smashed. So much for liquid courage.
Upon entering the office the boys barely got the door closed. The officer tried to hide his smirk.
"What can I do for you two…men?"
Seth spoke for both, "We're here to enlist. We're ready to fight for our country!"
The officer took a pen and paper and began writing as he asked Seth the information. Of course he lied about his age. Then it was Richard's turn but he began to slur and giggle so much that the officer stopped immediately. He stood up and walked around the desk and began barking at the two Hazlitts. "You trying to mock me, boy? Do you think you could fight for lady liberty in the condition you're in! I want you out of this office by the count of five. One, two…"
Both Richard and Seth backed up against the door and like the Three Stooges. All of a sudden the officer's tone was more warm when he said, "and don't come back until you're at least 17." That would teach them. Truth be told the officer would be proud to have both Seth and Richard in the military. They showed more heart and guts than some of the men who'd enlisted.