...
Over the course of two weeks, Nora had spent most afternoons with Hoobler during free time. Hoobler was adamant Nora could be a potentially decent basketball player and offered his time to give her private lessons. Nora didn't think she would be any good, but she liked being around Hoobler. So much so, that she humiliated herself every afternoon, just to spend time with him. It felt good, to be around someone as carefree as Hoobler. And he was only a couple of years older than Nora too, so they had a lot in common – more than they knew…
Regarding the prank on Sobel, no one had been interrogated or questioned. No one was even punished. It seemed Sobel was embarrassed, and just wanted to sweep the incident under the rug. So, with no man having to suffer the consequences, life went on as normal – only if they excluded the rising tension between Sobel and his Company. They weren't running like every other Company in the Airborne. It was different with Easy Company because it was so clear that the men didn't respect their leader…
"My mom switched us to this Catholic school when we were kids". Hoobler was telling Nora while trying to tackle the ball off of her. "One of the nuns reminds me of Sobel…".
Nora snorted softly. "Why?"
"Same mannerisms, you know? He's a chickenshit. Complete joke". With one smooth move, Hoobler now had possession of the ball.
Nora sighed and straightened herself up. She said, "This is very difficult, Hoobler".
"I'm teaching you more complex moves, pay attention".
Getting back into position, Nora stood before Hoobler and watched him dribble the ball. Any moment now, she could swoop in and take control but picking her moment was important. It was almost as if Hoobler could read her mind when it came to basketball. "I don't understand why they've kept him around for so long…it's clear he's not good".
"Yeah, well…". Hoobler sighed. "The brass has a pretty high opinion of him, considering he got us into shape back in Toccoa".
"So, he's good at physical training…just not the other stuff?"
"Exactly – come on, pick your move!" Hoobler said, "Christ, we'll be here all fucking afternoon at this rate, Nora".
"It's hard, Hoob". Nora reminded him.
"Do you 'wanna try out for the team or not?" Hoobler challenged her. "Because at this rate, you'll be watching the game…not playing it".
Stepping forward, Nora's hand swooped in and took the ball away from Hoobler. With a slightly smug smile, she dribbled the ball away from him. "I didn't even try…".
Hoobler snorted. "Please…you've been planning that move in your sleep, Nora". He gave a nod toward a spot on the ground. "Take your shoot – and remember to fucking watch the hoop this time, you nugget".
Smiling at the insult, Nora stood in position and stared up at the hoop. Before taking her shot, Nora turned to ask Hoobler, "Why don't we get a say in Sobel?"
Hoobler's arms crossed over his chest. "Because we're not important, Nora. It doesn't matter what we think. The brass only cares about results".
"We've failed every field exercise". Nora pointed out.
"Not all of them". Hoobler said, "The ones we do good at, the brass pay attention to".
"That makes no sense…".
"Well, that's the army for 'ya". Hoobler gave a nod to the hoop. "Shoot your shot, Nora".
So, Nora took her shot and missed. She always missed. Nora's disappointed sigh was drowned out by the sound of the ball bouncing against the concrete. Rubbing the back of her neck, she sat down on the pavement. After rescuing the ball, Hoobler cast Nora a sad sort of smile before joining her on the pavement. Hoobler wedged the ball between his legs before lighting up one of his cigarettes…
"You'll get it one day". Hoobler reassured her lightly. "Just not today. It ain't your day". He took a drag from his cigarette, blew out the smoke and then faced Nora. "My mom got all weird and shit with religion one day…it took over her life". Hoobler said, "Neighbours thought she had lost her mind 'cause she got loud and…". Hoobler gave a shrug. "Just weird with it all, you know? She was obsessed. She lost her friends and everything".
Nora looked at him. "Why did she get so obsessive, Hoob?"
"She's worried we ain't 'gonna be saved". Hoobler scoffed. "Whatever that fucking means…but I get it, you know? Mom went through a lot. I guess the only thing she could rely on, was her faith". Hoobler snorted softly and said, "She used to make us go around the neighbourhood, handing out these pamphlets…they were all about how God's 'gonna save everyone. But the ones he don't save, they're 'gonna die a slow and miserable death".
"Jesus…". Nora whispered with a frown.
"I don't believe in that stuff, Nora". Hoobler told her quietly. "I think a lot of good people are still out there…but mom doesn't, she thinks most of the world is bad and not worth saving". Hoobler lowered his voice further and ducked his head when telling her, "Even me…she told me I wasn't worth saving".
Nora frowned softly. She placed her hand on Hoobler's forearm. "If it wasn't for people like you, the world would fall to pieces".
Snorting softly, Hoobler raised his head and looked at Nora. He decided to tell her, "Mom's whole world changed when George died…". Hoobler looked away from Nora and drew out a sigh before telling her, "George was my little brother". Hoobler took a drag from his cigarette, and he felt Nora gently squeeze his forearm. "And when we lost dad a while later…I quit working, so I could look after mom". Hoobler looked at Nora. "Have you ever…". He drew out another sigh and asked, "Have you ever lost someone?"
Nora faintly nodded and whispered, "Yes".
"It's shit, huh?" Hoobler huffed. Facing the front again, he took the last drag from his cigarette before flicking it away.
"Mr Barnes said it gets easier". Nora said quietly. "That…you can live in peace with grief".
"Do you believe him?"
Nora shrugged. "Yes. But I don't feel at peace".
Hoobler turned to look at Nora. His smile was sad and matched his frown. "I would ask who you lost…but I'll bet it's a long list".
"I'm not Jewish". Nora said, "I don't know if you think I am…".
"I know you ain't". Hoobler's smile lightened ever so slightly. "I don't trust anything that comes out of Guarnere's mouth".
Nora snorted out a faint laugh. "Guarnere heard it from Ranney".
"Gossip ain't a trusted source". Hoobler said, "I'd rather hear it from the fellas' mouth – or in this case, the girls' mouth".
Nora explained, "The Dutch Jews…they've lost a lot more than anyone else". She said, "Half of my school emptied when the Nazis decided that the Jews were no longer allowed to attend public schools".
"Were they your friends?" Hoobler asked.
"Yeah, some". Nora mumbled.
"It's crazy…". Hoobler commented with a sad smile. "George would be the same age as you, if he didn't…well, you know…". He added, "Maybe that's why I 'wanna teach you to play basketball and everything cause you sort of remind me of him".
"I do?" Nora quietly asked.
Hoobler's sad smile brightened slightly. "Yeah". He chuckled quietly and said, "You're both quiet. Really fucking quiet. He didn't tell me half the shit he was thinking but he always said some pretty interesting stuff".
"Like what?"
Hoobler's smile widened. "He once told me...don't sleep where you shit, and don't eat under the table, we ain't fucking mice".
Nora smiled small. "That's funny".
Hoobler chuckled again and said, "He was only twelve when he told me that".
Nora softly frowned at Hoobler and asked, "What happened, Hoobs?"
Hoobler went quiet for a moment. But then told her, "He drowned. He went off exploring the woods at the back of our house…couple of fishermen found him faced down in the stream". Hoobler cleared his throat to hide any emotions he felt. "He was fourteen".
There was so much they had in common. So much pain they shared. Nora's hand went back on Hoobler's forearm. She wanted to express her condolences and Nora wanted to share her own grief, so Hoobler wouldn't feel so alone. But in the end, Nora didn't say anything, and the pair sat on the pavement until free time ended.
…
The conversation Hoobler shared with Nora plagued her mind all day and into the late evening. She was quieter than usual during dinner and even more so at supper. Nora tried to eat her slice of buttered bread in silence, while Winters spoke with Mr and Mrs Barnes over the radio playing quietly in the background. Nora stared into the lit fireplace, watching orange, red, and yellow flames swirl and dance. Face down in a stream…that's how Hoobler's little brother was found all those years ago. What an awful way to go. George was alone when it happened. Nora had always had a deep fear of dying alone. As a child, Nora's biggest fear was being away from her mother. Nora didn't take part in sleepovers; she had never spent a night away from her mother. Since the outbreak of war, Nora was forced to leave her mother – it was the first time she had ever been apart from her mum…
"The poor dear…". Mrs Barnes cast Nora a sad frown. With a sigh, she looked over at Winters and expressed her concerns. "Nora is awfully quiet this evening, Dick".
"I wouldn't worry, Mrs Barnes". Winters assured the older woman. "Nora is often quiet".
"She barely touched her dinner". Mrs Barnes added. "I hope she's not getting poorly". When Nora set the plate down atop the coffee table, Mrs Barnes noticed she hadn't eaten any of her bread and butter. "Now she hasn't touched her supper…oh, something is wrong. I just know it". Mrs Branes fretted.
Putting down his empty teacup and plate, Winters rose to his feet. "It's time for bed, Nora". He told the girl.
Nora got onto her feet and stared up at Winters. "Yes, sir".
"Go brush your teeth". Winters said, "You get the bathroom first".
"Thank you, sir".
When Nora left the lounge, Winters cast Mrs Barnes a kind smile. "I'll look after her, Mrs Barnes. She's still my shadow".
Mrs Barnes smiled and told him, "You come and get me if you need any help, Dick".
"Will do, Mrs Barnes".
After wishing the married couple goodnight, Winters took his leave and wandered down the corridor to reach their bedroom. Nora was still in the bathroom, so, Winters took that moment of privacy to change into his nightclothes. Once dressed, the girl returned and was soon sitting on the edge of her bed. Winters watched her for a moment and started thinking on what he was going to say. It was clear something was wrong. Nora was usually quiet but there was something different about her that night. Nora's eyes looked heavy with sadness and her body appeared to ache with thought. She was hunched over, her head bowed to the floor…
"Hey…". Winters softly announced while sitting next to Nora on her bed. "What's going on tonight, Nora? Are you feeling sick?"
Nora didn't answer Winters's questions because she had a question of her own. "Why did the men think I was Jewish, sir?"
"Well…maybe because you were on the run". Winters said, "I expect they thought you were fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe because of your faith".
Nora admitted, "I only escaped because the British accidently bombed us…if it hadn't been for them, I would still be stuck in Poland, sir".
To Winters, it almost sounded as if Nora meant she had been in a place where escape wasn't possible unless someone did something as dramatic as dropping a shell or two on them. He was about to question just where Nora was in Poland, but her sigh interrupted him. Winters sent the girl a soft frown and gently nudged her side with his elbow. Nora stared up at him…
"Have you ever lost anyone, Lieutenant Winters?"
It took Winters a moment to answer Nora's question because it appeared out of nowhere. In the end, he was truthful. "My Grandma. It was my first year of college…her passing hit me hard".
Nora asked quietly, "Does it get easier?"
Winters faintly nodded. "It gets easier to live with, yeah". He said, "My mom told me grief was good, in some ways…because grief means love. It meant you loved that person; they loved you. You miss 'em so bad because when you think of them, all you think about is love and memories".
Nora's eyes lowered toward her knees. She said, "I don't think of that, sir".
Winters said, "It's still new for you, Nora. It's 'gonna take time".
"I just…". She whispered. "I just think…this can't be happening…every day, I think that - it's not real. But it is real 'cause…I'm here". Nora mumbled. "I'm here and they're not".
Winters commented gently, "You were talking about going to the movies and listening to music. Who was that with, Nora?"
A lump suddenly formed in her throat. Nora swallowed, trying to rid the built-up emotions in her voice. "Boris". She whispered.
"Who's that, huh? Who's Boris?"
Raising her head, Nora's stare landed on the wall, where she could see his smile and dark hair. He was always smiling. "My brother". Nora quietly replied.
"Is he an older brother?" Winters carefully asked. He could sense it was a highly sensitive topic for Nora to talk about. Winters could only assume Boris was no longer a part of their world…
"Yes, sir". Nora whispered.
"So, how old is he?"
Nora frowned. She could no longer see Boris's smile against the wall. "His age froze at twenty, sir".
Winters sighed quietly and placed his hand on Nora's shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Nora".
She bobbed her head faintly. Nora's hands clasped together on her lap. She was sorry too. Sorry for a lot of reasons. There was so much guilt Nora felt since her brother's death. "Boris really did like John Wayne, sir". She quietly said to Winters.
"That's a nice thing to look back on, Nora". Winters told her softly. "I'll bet you and Boris had a lot of fun at the movies…did you get a drink and popcorn?"
"Chocolate". Nora corrected him with a faint smile. "And…two bottles of apple juice, sir".
"Oh, that's right…you're very fond of apple juice". Winters cast her a soft smile.
"Apple juice is much better in Holland, sir". Nora stared up at him with a tiny smile. "We grow the best apples, after all".
"Of course". Winters chuckled quietly. Letting go of Nora's shoulder, he gently ruffled the girls' hair. "You ready for bed?"
"Yes, sir". Nora replied. When Winters stood up, Nora pulled back the blankets and got into her bed. Once her head hit the pillow, she smiled. "Boris and I once egged my math teacher's house".
Winters huffed out a tiny laugh and asked, "Why on earth did you do that?"
"He bullied me". Nora said, "He always made fun of me because my pappa wasn't around. He would always say I was wild and rude because I didn't have a pappa to teach me lessons and discipline".
Winters concluded, "The egging was justified".
Nora snorted out a faint laugh. "I'm glad I have your blessing, sir".
"So, your mom raised you and Boris by herself?"
"Yes, sir". Nora said softly through a yawn. "Just the three of us, sir".
Standing by her bed, Winters stared down at Nora with a smile. She was in pain, emotional pain from losing her small family. And Nora was still very young compared to Winters and most of the men. His fingers gently brushed strands of hair away from Nora's face. "Goodnight, Nora".
Nora's eyes closed with a sleepy smile. She rolled onto her side and found a comfortable position. "Goodnight, Lieutenant Winters – sir".