This is a prequel to my story "Oh Suzannah, Don't You Cry for Me". I didn't intend to write this but since Travis didn't have much of a spotlight in the other story and this idea wouldn't stop bugging me, I had to write it down. So, enjoy! :D
Welcome Home, Soldier
June 1943
Someone broke into their house.
Travis Barnes sensed it the moment his key slid into the lock of the front door and did not hear the familiar 'click' of the bolt retracting.
Behind him, his sisters tensed, their expressions puzzled when Travis turned around.
Becca, the youngest at sixteen, and four years Travis's junior, adjusted the strap of her school bag slung diagonally across her shoulders. "What is it?" she asked.
"Someone's here," Travis said, his voice low in case the burglar could hear them.
Ever since Bucky left for basic training at Camp McCoy in middle-of-nowhere Wisconsin, Travis took over as the 'man of the house'. Stepping into the role, every day he picked up Becca from high school and walked Suzie home from work since the Brooklyn harbor she worked at had a bit of a rough reputation. Ma—and Bucky—would kill him if anything happened to the girls, so Travis fulfilled his duty with all the gusto of a nineteen-year-old man.
He would've enlisted in the army just like his older brother. He'd tried of course, but the government refused to accept his application. Being the only male relative in his immediate family, the higher-ups didn't want to risk losing him, too, in case something happened to Bucky. Bucky would be fine, though, because nothing could ever hurt his older brother.
"Did Steve come over?" Suzie asked. Her steel-blue eyes, a copy of both Ma's and Bucky's, peered past Travis. The gap in the living room curtains offered a small peek into the house but not enough to see anything other than the couch.
"He's not visiting 'til this weekend," Travis replied.
Steve operated on his own schedule, and they hadn't seen much of him since Bucky had left for Wisconsin. He'd visit once a week now if only to have Ma's homecooked meals on Sundays.
"Maybe Ma came home early," Becca said. Her fingers played along the edge of the pink ribbon in her sandy-brown curls—a nervous tick of hers.
Oh boy.
Becca worried a lot, just like Ma. Suzie usually handled stress better than her sister, but she tended to rush into trouble. A strange man breaking into their home would send them both over the edge—Becca into a nervous breakdown and Suzie into a protective rage.
Unwilling to cause his sisters to panic but also wanting to be realistic, Travis shook his head. He shifted on the porch and winced slightly when his weight caused the sun-kissed planks to creak.
"She said she'd be late today, remember?" Travis pointed out.
At that, Becca's brown eyes widened and she took a tentative step toward her older sister. Suzie, eighteen yet already confident in herself, flipped her dark brown ponytail over her shoulder and narrowed her eyes.
Matching his sister's bravado, Travis steeled his nerves and faced the door. Rolling his shoulders, he turned the doorknob and slowly pushed it open to peek inside. Finding nothing amiss, he reached around the coat stand to grab the baseball bat they always kept near the door before stepping inside.
He hefted the bat against his shoulder, poised ready to swing at the perp. Suzie and Becca followed him inside, staying close but giving him enough space in case a brawl broke out.
Silent as possible, the trio crept forward, mindful of the particularly old, squeaky spots on the floor. Years of sneaking out to take dames dancing sent his feet working on muscle memory. He could navigate the house with his eyes closed if needed.
Travis led the way through the living room and toward the bottom of the stairs where the steps separated the space from the kitchen. There, he paused and strained his ears to listen:
Muffled shuffling, the clink of something metallic hitting glass, the whine of the hinges on the ice box closing, and beneath it all, someone softly humming Cab Calloway's "A Chicken Ain't Nothin' but a Bird".
Travis glanced at his sisters. No doubt they heard it, too.
Becca gripped Suzie's arm tight enough to turn the skin under Becca's fingers white. Suzie flipped her pocket knife open and clutched it low by her hip in case things went south.
Suzie's eyes met his, and they shared a firm nod.
Adjusting his grip on the baseball bat, Travis rounded the bottom step and snuck into the kitchen.
The olive-drab army cap flung on the table as an afterthought stood out immediately. Confused, Travis tracked the rest of the disarray. An open jar of grape jam sat next to the hat, a used knife still inside the glass container. Bread crumbs scattered along the surface of the wooden table—their large bread knife nowhere in sight. The smell of peanut butter filled the air the further he shuffled in.
Then, he saw him.
At the counter, on the other side of the table, stood a tall man, his back turned toward the trio. Travis ground to a halt, and Suzie and Becca huddled behind him. Unaware of the siblings, the man poured some milk into a glass, humming all the while.
The army uniform he wore matched the hat on the table. Almost singing now, the man swayed a little, bounced his knees, and nodded his head—making up a little dance to the tune.
Before the shock could wear off and Travis could shout at the man, Becca peered around her older siblings. She gasped, causing the man to set down the milk bottle and stop his improvised jig.
Travis or Suzie couldn't stop her. Becca darted around Suzie's outstretched hand and ran straight toward the man, shouting "Bucky!" The man turned in time for Becca to jump onto him and wrap her legs around his waist like a skirt-wearing koala.
Blue eyes widened when the girl rammed into him. The force of the impact caused him to stagger back to hit the edge of the counter. Aside from a few drops of milking spilling over the edges of the glass held aloft, he kept a hold on both the glass in his left hand and the sandwich in his right.
"What the—" Bucky muttered around a mouthful of peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He tried to shift enough to reach behind him to set his glass down but Becca tightened her grip on him and buried her head into his shoulder. Her weight kept him planted in place, so he just held his snack while trying his best to hug her back without making a mess.
Suzie let out a laugh, tossed her pocket knife onto the table, and ran to her oldest brother. He let her take the breakable glass to set it on the counter, then she ducked under his freed arm to join the hug.
Travis laughed out of a mix of relief and shock and lowered the bat from his shoulder to rest on top of his foot.
"You trying to hit your brother for making a sandwich, Trav?" Bucky chuckled over Becca's head, nodding as much as he could at the bat Travis now leaned on.
"What're'ya doing here?" Travis asked, amused at the two young women engulfing their brother.
"Eating a sandwich." Bucky laughed. "Well, trying to. You're smothering me, girls. Give me some space."
Suzie let go first but Becca still clung to him until Travis came over to help peel the youngest away.
"I missed you!" Becca said, her eyes full of tears as she stared up at Bucky, looking like she wanted to hug him again and never let go.
"It's been forever!" Suzie exclaimed.
"It's been exactly nine months," Bucky corrected.
"That's almost a year," Travis pointed out.
Bucky laughed, grabbed a plate from the cupboard, and put his sandwich on it. "I missed you all, too."
He hugged them all in turn, pinching Becca's cheek, ruffling Suzie's hair, and mock-fighting Travis.
"Where's Ma?" Bucky asked when they all settled down.
"Gettin' groceries," Travis said.
Bucky hummed, his sandwich back in his hands. He chewed thoughtfully as he leaned against the countertop. "I went to Steve's. He wasn't there."
"You didn't tell us you'd be here," Suzie said. She started making her own sandwich, prompting Travis's stomach to rumble.
"Wanted to surprise you."
"You certainly surprised us," Travis said. "We thought you were a robber or somethin'."
"Only thing I'll be robbing is food."
"Doesn't the army feed you?" Becca asked. She perched on the edge of her chair, leaning forward enough to make Travis anxious she'd topple head over heels onto the floor if she breathed too hard.
"It's been a long bus ride over. Not a lot of stops along the way. Just go, go, go."
"Ma would have a fit if they didn't feed you guys enough," Suzie said. She took a bite of her sandwich and pushed the peanut butter jar across the table towards Travis in invitation.
Bucky snorted and almost choked on his sandwich. "Ma should come work for the army. She'd make much better food. For starters, she'd make it with love, that's for sure," he said once he drank some milk to clear his throat.
"They at least gave you some nice clothes." Suzie gestured at his uniform, approving. She always had an eye for detail, and even though she claimed she didn't care about fashion, she sure had an opinion on it sometimes.
Even Travis agreed, Bucky looked dashing. The uniform gave an air of maturity—more grown-up than Travis had ever seen his older brother look. It almost made him sad; Buky would move on from their home to forge his own path away from the family, leaving them all behind.
Dark thoughts started swirling, and Travis paused in his sandwich-making to stare contemplatively at his food. What if the army changed Bucky, and they'd never get their big brother back? How could they live without his jovial nature and the smile that lit up the room? What if he died? What if he got shell-shock like their neighbor Mr. Smith who came back from the Great War and never talked? What if, what if, what if?
But then Bucky's signature, mischievous grin spread across his face and he titled his head in jest, and then Travis knew Bucky always be the fun, charismatic, good-natured brother they knew and loved.
Grabbing his lapels, sticking a leg forward, and staring pensively into the middle distance, Bucky posed like a model in those male clothing magazines Ma always forbade Suzie and Becca from gawking over. He tried a couple more poses, shifting to get the perfect angle for some invisible camera.
"It's pretty nice. A little stiff, but it really impresses the ladies." Bucky winked at Travis who snorted.
"You missed my graduation," Travis said. Bucky hadn't started basic training yet when Travis graduated but the enlistment office wanted Bucky to do a physical and they couldn't reschedule it. Ma had been more upset than Travis at the time since Ma valued educational achievements more than athletic ones. Bucky did, however, make it to the party at their house, so he didn't miss out on the entire day.
"Mine, too," Suzie added. A fresher memory since she had recently graduated in May while Travis had graduated a year prior, Bucky had missed the entire celebration. No ceremony, no party, no congratulatory bear hug.
Bucky deflated a bit, frowning. "I'm sorry. I really am. Did you like my gifts?"
Travis and Suzie nodded. Bucky had written a heartfelt letter and stuffed a wad of cash between the papers for both of their graduations. Travis used his money to repair his watch. He didn't know what Suzie did with hers; probably saved it like a responsible young adult.
Bucky clapped his hands together, startling them out of the somber mood. "Anyway, I want to surprise Ma, and I need your help."
He gestured to gather around him. Slinging an arm around Suzie and Travis's shoulders, they stood in a circle and leaned in. Taking turns to look across from him at Becca, to Suzie, and then Travis like a coach preparing his team for a victory play, Bucky dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper.
"Okay, so here's what we're gonna do…"
-ooOoo-
Travis steered their 1910 Model T Ford along the curb and shifted it into park. The motor sputtered until it shut off, the familiar vibration along the axle slowing to a halt.
"Travis, no," Ma exclaimed, staring out the passenger window, "we cannot afford such a fancy restaurant!"
"We already said it's fine," Travis replied. From the backseat, his sisters echoed his assurances.
"It's too much!" Ma protested. Once she had come home from grocery shopping, they had told her to dress up for a night out. She had been going on and on about not eating out ever since.
Still, Ma had swept her hair up into a fancy curl, the gray streaks hidden amongst the waves. She even got out her expensive jewelry—Grandma's old pearl necklace and matching earrings— as well as her purple, half-sleeve dress accompanied by black gloves. The little white feather on her black Mayfair Stetson hat curled over the short brim.
Clutching the purse on her lap, Ma shook her head, her red lips frowning. "Absolutely not! We have food at home."
"We're already here, Ma," Suzie piped up from behind Travis. She had on a dark blue, short-sleeved dress with a lacy top. A red bow on her blue hat flopped down on the side of her head and danced whenever she moved. She didn't wear any jewelry but had borrowed Ma's red lipstick for the special occasion.
"Yeah, Ma, I'm hungry," Becca added. Her white, flower-patterned blouse matched the flowers tucked into her hair. Somehow, she had also matched the shade of the petals to the color of her pink skirt. "Let's just go in and eat."
Ma's blue eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What are you three up to?"
"Nothing, Ma," Becca said. She giggled and turned away to hide her blushing cheeks behind her hands.
"Steve's gonna be here, too," Travis mentioned, trying to distract Ma from Becca's failed attempts to look innocent. The youngest Barnes sibling always struggled to hide any semblance of guilt, which often led to the rest of them getting into trouble by Ma going straight to Becca whenever they got in trouble. The girl cracked at even the slightest bit of pressure from Ma.
Travis smoothed down his hair. He had dug out his best suit and tie from the back of his closet, shined his shoes, and even "borrowed" the cologne bottle Bucky had not-so-hidden in his sock drawer.
"Steve cannot afford this place," Ma pointed out.
"Just this once? Please?" Suzie pleaded and elbowed Becca in the side to get her to join in on the puppy-eyes. "We're already dressed up."
Unable to steel herself against her daughters' sad faces and her son's expectant look, Ma sighed, patted her hat to keep it from slipping off her head, and admitted defeat.
"Fine. Fine." She held up a stern finger. "Nothing too expensive, though. We will split meals if necessary."
In celebration, Travis whooped, Suzie pumped a fist in the air, and Becca laughed. Travis jumped out of the driver's seat, almost got hit by a passing car, and dashed around the front of the Ford. He opened Ma's door with a bow and a flourish of his arm.
"Right this way, ma'am. Your feast awaits," Travis declared, mimicking the voice of a British butler.
"Oh stop it." Instead of taking Travis's proffered hand, Ma rolled her eyes and gently smacked her son's shoulder. Slipping her purse strap into the crook of her elbow, her heels clicked on the pavement ahead of her children.
Behind her back, the three exchanged excited grins and followed her to the restaurant. The doorman there greeted them and opened the ornate, glass doors to let them inside.
Travis couldn't help himself from letting out a gasp of astonishment once they stepped into the lounge. A large chandelier lit up the entryway, sparkling brightly against the setting sun streaming through the windows. Rows upon rows of neatly decorated tables went on forever in the vast dining room. Candles glowed like little stars in the dim light and the smell of smoke and food washed over them the further they went inside.
A hostess dressed in a black dress and white apron greeted them and led them to their table toward the far end of the restaurant. Most of the tables were empty, some filled by a few older couples, all dressed to the nines. They passed a trio of young women drinking wine. Decked out in too much makeup and over-the-top hairdos, the women gave them a collective judgemental look when the Barneses walked by.
Suzie noticed the critical stare and opened her mouth to snap out a retort, but Travis caught her arm and steered her toward the table. Flowers surrounded the lit candle on the six-person table. The chairs offered a plush yet sturdy cushion for both the seat and the backrest. Never in his life had he felt way out of his social class, and if not for the chance to impress Ma, he would've turned tail and run back home to hide the embarrassment.
Ma stopped at the table and stared fascinated at the ornate centerpiece. Travis hurried to pull Ma's chair out for her, followed by helping Suzie and then Becca before he sat down himself.
The hostess dismissed herself and let the family take in their surroundings. Soft classical music played from an unseen speaker, a gentle undertone to the hushed conversations and baroque atmosphere.
A waiter dressed in a three-piece suit and a bow tie came over to ask for their drink order.
"We'll have water, please," Ma answered.
The waiter raised an eyebrow but said nothing as he turned away to grab their drinks.
"Just water?" Travis asked, a little bummed out. He'd been expecting at least a beer or something tastier.
"It's free, so don't argue." Ma sniffed and dug through her purse to grab her glasses before propping the menu onto the table to read. "Besides, you have to drive home, Travis. It's only practical."
Suzie giggled and then frowned down at her menu when Travis shot a glare at her across from the table.
"A steak sounds nice," Suzie muttered half-heartedly, sparing a hopeful side glance at her mother.
"A steak is too expensive," Ma countered. "How about a salad bowl?"
"What?" Becca's voice bordered on a well-checked whine. "A salad? It's a steakhouse, Ma! You don't eat salad here!"
"Well, I tell you," Ma said, her lecturing voice turning on, "children nowadays do not appreciate a homecooked meal. They would rather spend their money having someone else make it for them instead of doing it themselves."
"Ma!" Travis, Suzie, and Becca chorused, their voices dragging out the 'a' in protest.
"We're at war, darlings. I know you haven't lived through something like this before, but we do not go around flinging our hard-earned money at meals that cost almost two dollars each. We learn to save it for better things, like groceries that last longer than one meal, or clothes or electricity so we don't freeze to death at night.
"And what about Steve? Are you expecting him to spend this much on a meal when he needs to pay for his medicine, apartment, and college? It's unfair to him."
Finished with her rant, Ma turned back to her menu with a huff, leaving her children to sit in stunned silence.
Embarrassment burned at his cheeks, so Travis glanced around the room. He froze when he noticed a nearby table staring at them. Forcing a stiff smile onto his face, Travis excused himself from the table and headed toward the bathrooms near the kitchen.
However, instead of entering the men's room, Travis glanced over his shoulder to make sure Ma had noticed his divergence and headed straight toward a waiter standing near the double-wide swinging doors of the kitchen.
"Excuse me, sir, but I need to talk to someone in there. It's for the Barnes family," Travis explained.
The waiter nodded and let Travis through.
Feeling a little better now once he'd had a chance to walk out his bruises in his pride, Travis rounded the corner and found a familiar figure standing near a counter full of drinks.
"How's it going? Did she complain about the price?" Bucky asked. Still in uniform, his hat perched jauntily on his combed hair.
"She gave us a whole spiel about wasting money," Travis grumbled. "Said we're being unfair to Steve."
Bucky grimaced. "Yeah, about that…" He looked sad.
"What is it?" Travis asked, watching Bucky's shoulders drop in disappointment.
"I couldn't find him."
"Steve's not coming?"
"Unless he magically appears here after reading the mental message I've been repeating since this afternoon, he's not coming. The punk's probably out in an alleyway somewhere, getting his ass beat while we're chowing on steak." Bucky clasped his hands and leaned his forearms onto the counter, staring at the wall as his "protective glare" settled onto his face.
"Don't blame yourself for his stupid decisions. He didn't know you'd be back."
"So much for wanting to surprise him." Bucky reached up to run a hand through his hair but forgot about his hat. His fingers caught the brim and sent it tumbling down until Bucky snatched it from the air and resettled it on his head. "It's not gonna be a family night without him here."
Travis moved forward and placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. "We're already here. I'm sure Steve won't mind not emptying his entire bank account in one night."
"It's supposed to be something special! I've got a week here, and who knows how long I'll be gone and…" Bucky dropped his head into his hands, resting all his weight on his elbows.
"Hey, breathe. It'll be fine. He's gotta show up sometime." Travis shrugged. "Maybe you and Steve can do something special without us. Just the two of you. We won't mind."
Bucky chewed on his bottom lip and straightened up. "Thanks, Trav." He smoothed down his jacket and fixed his tie. "Guess I gotta go play being a waiter and bring these drinks over." He paused to tap a fingernail against a glass resting atop a tray. "Seriously? Just water?"
"That's what I said!" Travis threw up his hands. Then he jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "'Spose I should head back now. Ma already thinks we're up to something."
"Yeah, well, Becca sucks at keeping a secret. She hasn't blown our cover?"
"Not yet, but she's on the verge."
Bucky hummed and shooed Travis out of the kitchen. Travis nodded at the waiter again in thanks and walked toward the table. Suzie and Becca were in the process of trying to convince Ma to get something other than a salad when he sat back down.
"How's it going?" Travis leaned toward Becca to whisper into her ear.
She shook her head. "Ma's stubborn. Guess we know where we get it from."
Travis picked up his menu and glanced over the top to watch Ma's pen scratch against a notepad as she added up the girls' choices.
"It's simply too much. Why don't Suzie and I split something while Becca and Travis split another?" Ma suggested.
"We—" Travis began only to for a glass of water plunking down in front of him to cut him off.
"Sir," Bucky's voice said, also mimicking a British accent.
Travis tried not to grin as Bucky walked around the table, setting down the waters with a "miss, miss, ma'am" for Becca, Suzie, and Ma, respectively. Ma hadn't noticed her oldest son playing waiter yet. Too fixated on glaring at her notepad and menu for not matching her pre-approved price range, she tapped the pencil against her cheek in thought.
"Anything else for you fine folks?" Bucky asked, placing a water glass in his chosen spot next to Ma and clasping the tray double-handed behind his back.
"What are your options on—" Ma pointed at the menu with the eraser end of her pencil and looked up at the man, expecting to see a well-tailored server patiently awaiting her order.
The double-take was almost cartoonish and comical.
It took a second for the recognition to sink in, but when it did, Ma let out a sound halfway between a squeal and a gasp. A hand clamped over her mouth as she jumped to her feet, nearly knocking her chair over in the process.
"Hi," Bucky said, a large grin plastered on his face.
"Oh my…" Ma whimpered, her voice trailing off. She darted forward and yanked him into an embrace hard enough for him to drop the tray. It clattered onto the ground unwanted as Bucky rocked back on his heels to catch Ma's weight.
"Hi, Ma," Bucky said into her hair as she cried into his ironed uniform. They held each other for a long while, soaking in each other's presence.
Ma pulled away first to wipe her eyes. "James Buchanan!" She scolded and smacked his arm. Then her eyes landed on the chevrons on Bucky's sleeve. Her fingers followed soon after to tug the jacket closer to inspect it. "A sergeant?" she breathed. "Wha…hu…"
Amused at his mother's breathless stuttering, he grinned. "Wanted to surprise you."
"Well…you…I—" Not caring about her makeup or the mess it would make on her skin, she wiped the back of her hand against her eyes. "Oh, baby, come here!"
She opened her arms wide and stood on her tiptoes as Bucky leaned down to hug her again as the other tables in the room watched the exchange. The waiter, who knew the whole plan, started clapping, and the rest of the restaurant followed suit.
"How long are you staying?" Ma asked once the clapping died down and they pulled apart again.
"A week." Bucky motioned at the chair. "Why don't you sit down and enjoy your meal? I've got it covered."
Ma's mouth dropped open, and she stumbled over her words before she could finally form a complete, stern sentence. "Don't be reckless with your money, young man. Sergeant or not, I am still your mother."
"Which is why I did my research before picking this place," Bucky said, helping her into her seat before sitting down next to her. Taking a sip of his water, he held the glass out and frowned at it. "Can I at least order something stronger than this? Who knows when I'll get alcohol again."
"There's bourbon," Travis pointed out, finally coming down from the high of seeing his mother rejoice over Bucky's sudden return. Glad about the success of the plan and having the family together, Travis hoped Ma would relent and let them splurge a little.
"Oh my, I'm so sorry, darlings," Ma muttered, ashamed. "I didn't mean to snap at you earlier. I suppose it'll be worth ordering a steak just this once."
She stared at Bucky, looking all proud, sad, and happy at the same time. Then she frowned and became somber.
"Your father would be proud of you, son," Ma said, her fingers searching for Bucky's hand, "but that doesn't mean you can be reckless. Use your head, and follow your heart. You're young yet, and I'm proud of you, but I still don't forgive you for breaking your promise to never enlist."
Bucky's eyes shimmered as something unsaid crossed his face and he dropped his head, remorseful. "Ma, I—"
"You know your mama is gonna worry, and I've been doing everything I can to keep Travis from following you over there. Be careful, I don't want to lose you. I cannot bear losing another soldier." Ma reached up to cup Bucky's cheek, tears glistening in her eyes. "Promise me you'll be careful."
"I will, Ma," Bucky said. His hand came up to cover hers, and he gave a gentle smile. Then he let go and suddenly grabbed his menu, his entire mood shifting in a split second. "I'm starving. Let's eat!"
-ooOoo-
Travis stood on the dock, his hands tucked into his pants pockets as he hunched against the morning breeze. Even in June, the wind coming off the shore felt chilly before dawn.
Despite the early hour, the harbor buzzed in excitement. People stood shoulder to shoulder, packed together like sardines as families huddled around each other in their last efforts to make the final minutes stretch on forever.
"Come back to us," Ma said, her voice on the edge of breaking.
"I'll try, Ma," Bucky said. His large bag slung over his shoulder weighed him down, but he tried to stand as straight as possible.
"Be careful."
"I will."
"Don't get the nice European ladies pregnant."
"I won't, Ma."
"Write often."
"I will."
"Make sure you—"
"Oh for the love of all things holy!" Suzie protested, her arms flinging upward as best she could while standing almost on top of her sister. "Let him go, Ma. He has to get on the ship."
Ma looked ready to either lecture her or cry, so Travis stepped in before the conversation turned into a sobbing wreck.
"Kick some Nazi ass for us," Travis said, giving Bucky a firm handshake.
Bucky laughed, but the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. He yanked Travis forward and pulled him into a hug. "Stay out of my room," he whispered threateningly into Travis's ear.
Travis chuckled and rolled his eyes. "That's more of Suzie's problem. She's the snoop, not me."
Bucky stepped back and placed his hands firmly on Travis's shoulders, his eyes turning intense. "You're the man of the house now. I know I already told you this, but this time I'm not sure when I'll come back. Take care of the girls, promise?"
"Promise." For good measure, Travis stuck out his pinky finger and looped it through Bucky's.
"You're so mature," Bucky snorted, playfully punching his brother's shoulder.
Travis stuck out his tongue in response. Bucky flipped him off, earning a hard smack on the back of his head from Ma.
Despite himself, Travis laughed as Bucky rubbed the sore spot under his hair.
"Damn, Ma, you should come fight the Nazis with me. You'd scare them off with how hard you hit."
The mental image of Ma running into battle wielding her signature, butt-smacking wooden spoon caused Travis to duck his head and hide a laugh behind a fake cough.
The humor evaporated as quickly as it came once the ship's horn bellowed above the crowd. The deep sound resonated deep in Travis's chest, and his heart suddenly tightened in anticipation.
Swallowing the lump in his throat, Travis watched Bucky hug Becca and Suzie, and then pull Steve aside to have a brief, private discussion. Tears stinging his eyes, Travis turned away when Bucky and Steve embraced, Steve's fingers wrinkling the back of Bucky's jacket in the tight grip.
Ma sobbed and could barely speak when Bucky said goodbye. Travis had to step in to physically pry her fingers from him and hold her back when Bucky shouldered his bag and set off toward the ship.
Over the top of Ma's head, Travis noticed Becca crying into Suzie's shoulder. Behind them, Steve wiped a hand across his eyes and stared at the ground.
Against the sound of Ma's sobbing and his heart thudding in his chest, Travis watched the ship's walkway slide onto the deck. The last horn sounded as soldiers crowded against the deck's railing to wave goodbye.
Frozen, Travis barely felt a hand slip into his. Sparing a glance, his eyes met Suzie's worried ones, and he squeezed her hand in comfort.
Everything went silent even as the din of the crowds continued to sound, all thoughts turning toward the uncertain future. Travis sniffed and tried to put on a brave face for the sake of his family, but couldn't quite keep the nagging thoughts at bay.
For unbeknownst to them, this day on the harbor would be the last time they ever were together.
This was supposed to be a happy, little story. I can't escape a sad ending.
The image/story cover is based on the Blue Star banner. Each blue star represents a soldier serving in his family. It's usually hung in the window of the home (or a business) to represent a loved one (or employee) serving the country. If someone dies, the blue star is changed to gold.
I headcanon that Bucky was drafted, and that's why he seems a little guilty of having "enlisted" when he promised his mother that he wouldn't join the army.
Go listen to Cab Calloway's "A Chicken Ain't Nothin' but a Bird". It's funny and surprisingly catchy.
$2 in 1943 is about $36 today. So Bucky would've spent almost $200 on that meal. It was worth it, though.
Go check out my Wattpad (same username, same story title) for pictures of Ma, Becca, and Suzie's outfits.
Thank you for reading! Comments are welcome and appreciated. :)