It was May 1943 when Seth graduated from high school with all A's. He had been yearning to get out of Cabot Cove and go to college in a big city. He had dreams of becoming a doctor but he couldn't afford to go to college.
As the war raged on, Seth saw many of his older classmates go right into the military. Seth was so smart that he finished school at the age of 17. He was unsure about his future, meanwhile Richard would continue to say he would be joining if he was old enough.
The two brothers were still at odds with each other. Richard liked to bully Seth who was quiet and studious. He was on the track team but the town only cared about football. Seth didn't even date, just went to school and worked afternoons and some weekends at Doc Sanderson's office cleaning it and organizing records. It was here that Seth found his love for treating the human body and helping people. That was Seth, quiet but compassionate about his fellow man.
He didn't want to enlist to kill like many of his friends claimed, he was hoping to explore the world and, if anything, get out of Cabot Cove and become a man.
When he turned 18, Seth went into town and enlisted in the Army. He was scared and excited as he boarded the bus. He mother cried as she almost couldn't let him go. His brother wished him luck and his dad just shook Seth's hand, no words of encouragement. It never changed.
As Seth trained he grew both emotionally and physically. He found basic training a breeze and he made a good friend, a guy named Ben from Queens, New York. Ben taught Seth a few things like how to bluff at poker, how to handle several beers and how to handle women. In fact it was Ben who helped Seth become a man.
The two were on a weekend pass and decided to enjoy their last few days of freedom before being shipped off to Europe.
"I'll get the beer Ben, grab us a table."
Seth waited as the place was busy, being the weekend and all.
As he carried the mug and pitcher he noticed two women sitting at the table with Ben and a huge grin on his face.
"Hey Seth we need a few more mugs for these lovely ladies, Nancy and Barbara."
Seth didn't know what to say other than, "nice to meet you."
The four danced and drank and laughed. Then Ben excused himself with Nancy and gave Seth a wink. Seth was about to stop Ben who said, "you two have fun. Nancy and I are going to find ourselves a little privacy."
Seth didn't want to show his uncomfortableness . He and Barbara made small talk, each telling the other about their hopes and dreams. Finally Barbara said, "Seth it's getting late. Would you walk me back to my apartment?" Seth was always a gentleman and escorted the young woman home. They seemed to enjoy each other's company all night.
They got to her apartment and she asked him to come in for a cup of coffee. He didn't want to impose but she was so sweet he didn't want to deny her anything.
He sat on the couch while she let the coffee brew. Barbara sat next to him and got closer. She made the first move and while Seth trembled at the kiss and found a warmth stir inside him. All of a sudden it's like a light switch turned on and he began to hold Barbara and caress her. Soon he was laying atop her on the couch in the small apartment.
"Seth, I don't know if I'll ever see you again and who knows what will happen to you over there."
He began to pant, "I can only expect the worst and hope for the best. Don't worry about me." She began to undress him, unbuttoning his shirt. This only enhanced the feelings he had. His shyness melted away. His morals did as well. Normally he would never do this with someone he first met. Despite many of his friends losing their virginity on prom night, Seth didn't think that way. However, in his heart he was scared about going to Europe and here was a pretty woman, showing him affection and he just couldn't stop himself.
Needless to say he was awkward moving his body but Barbara was patient. Clearly she had done this before. It didn't take long for Seth to reach his climax and he shuddered and threw his head back. It was the most exhilarating feeling he ever experienced.
Barbara stared at him and smiled, "Oh m gosh. The coffee." She got up and adjusted herself while Seth fixed himself up. He assumed Ben was having as a good a time as he.
It's a memory Seth would never forget and it carried him through those hard times in Europe.
He lost Ben during the sniper attack outside the French farmhouse. It did something to Seth and he became hardened and pessimistic. He also began chain smoking. He saw a lot of death…troops being blown up by landmines. Their bodies landing on another mine only to be blown up again. It destroyed him a little each time but he learned to live minute to minute and help his fellow soldiers if they were hurt and wounded. It only cemented in Seth his desire to become a doctor and hopefully never have to see himself or any other human being involved in war again.
After armistice, Seth was actually anxious to get back home. He had changed and he soon learned Cabot Cove and his family had changed, too.