Battle Hymns (11 page)

Nick had written at least a few paragraphs almost
every day. Charlotte stayed in her position on the bed, captivated
by the contents. Hours passed by as she read nearly a month’s worth
of letters.

Finally, she reached the last page.

November 6, 1942

Sweetheart, I think we’re reaching the end of our
journey. The officers are running about the ship more hurriedly
than usual and communicating with one another in hushed tones.
Their ease has been replaced with hardened smiles when someone
cracks a joke. Everyone can feel the tension in the air as we wait
for news.

And I was right. I just returned from the mess hall
where we were briefed on the timing of our arrival. Word is
###########. I’m not as afraid as I imagined I’d be. In fact, I’m
looking forward to getting off this ship and onto solid land, even
if it is #########.

I’m not sure if I’ll have a chance to write to you
tomorrow, so I’ll begin signing off. I know you worry about my
safety, and I appreciate that. Don’t worry yourself sick, though.
At the next chance, I’ll write you again and assure you of my
well-being. You have prepared me to fight in this war, more so than
the endless months of training. With your love and encouragement, I
know I can fight the good fight. You are what I live for. You give
me the hope to get through and survive, and I will love you
forever.

Love,

Nick

Fourteen

“
W
e need to get out!”
Natalie prodded Charlotte toward the wardrobe. “We still don’t know
what happened to John and Nick. I don’t know about you, but I’m
sick of sitting around and pulling my hair out with worry. It’s
unhealthy.”

Charlotte grimaced. “If I join you, I’ll have to
dance with other men. In case you don’t remember, I’m engaged to
Nick. I don’t want to dance with anyone else.”

Natalie rolled her eyes. “You’re going to dance with
them, not kiss them. Come on! Think of it as your patriotic duty.
These soldiers need to have a good time to maintain a high morale.
It’s no different than volunteering at the hospital.”

Charlotte sighed. “Fine. I’ll tag along, but I won’t
guarantee I’ll dance.”

Natalie grinned. “You’ll be whistling a different
tune when we arrive.” She grabbed a swanky red dress from the
wardrobe and pushed it into Charlotte’s hands. “Believe me, I’m
doing you a favor.”

An hour later, Charlotte boarded the crowded evening
bus behind Natalie, Evelyn, and Sandra. The USO center was only a
mile away, but it was too cold to walk in their heels and dresses.
Charlotte sat next to Evelyn while Sandra and Natalie took empty
seats across the aisle.

The bus jolted forward as it continued up Michigan
Avenue. “Charlotte, I’m glad you’re finally joining us,” Sandra
said, raising her voice above the sound of a crying baby. “You can
help me form an opinion of Evelyn’s new beau.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened. “George is not my new beau.
Stop spreading rumors.”

Natalie giggled. “But he still flirts with you all
the time, right?”

Sandra answered for Evelyn. “Oh, yes. He fetches her
drinks and tries to secure every dance with her. He even pulls her
into the back hallway to do God knows what.”

Evelyn leaned into the aisle and swatted Sandra with
her pocketbook. She glanced at the men sitting behind them. “He
does not! I’m trying to keep our relationship platonic.”

“You hold a torch for him,” said Sandra.

“Maybe I do.” Evelyn crossed her arms. “It doesn’t
matter.”

“Why not?” Charlotte asked. “You’re single. He likes
you and you like him.”

Evelyn slouched in her seat. “He’s being deployed
soon, and I don’t want to become attached. I know what you and
Natalie go through. I don’t want that to be me.”

Sandra arched her eyebrow. “Honey, you’re already
attached.”

Evelyn stared out the window and didn’t reply.

The USO center was located in an old church. The pews
of the church had been removed, and instead of a choir stall and
pulpit, there was a band. Red, white, and blue banners and
streamers hung from the walls and ceiling, and a sea of soldiers
and young women danced to lively music. The four women removed
their coats and stood near the entrance. They were far outnumbered
by soldiers. It was no wonder the soldiers flocked to them right
away.

“What do ya say, toots?” A sailor flashed Charlotte a
charming smile. “How ’bout we go out there and cut the rug?”

Charlotte took a step back. “I don’t
know . . .”

Natalie pushed her forward, right into the sailor’s
arms. When Charlotte turned and glared at her, Natalie took
Charlotte’s pocketbook and coat. She gave Charlotte a wave
good-bye. “Have a swell time!”

The sailor took Charlotte’s hand and escorted her
onto the dance floor. By this point, the song had changed to a much
livelier number. Although many months had passed since she had
danced the Lindy Hop, she picked it up again swiftly. They didn’t
do flips or anything fancy, but the sailor twirled her around and
swung her back and forth with ease. By the end of the song, she was
grinning from ear to ear.

The next tune was a slower number, “Blue Skies” by
Tommy Dorsey. The sailor kept his hand entwined with hers. He
suddenly scowled as he stared over her shoulder.

“Can I have this dance?” said a familiar voice from
behind her.

The sailor jutted his thumb toward the exit. “Scram.
She’s dancin’ with me.”

Charlotte glanced back and immediately recognized the
mop of red hair. She turned to the sailor, softening her reply with
a smile. “He’s a friend. It was lovely dancing with you. Maybe I’ll
have the pleasure again by the end of the night.”

“It was lovely dancing with ya, too.” The sailor
released her and glared at Frankie.

Frankie took Charlotte’s hand. His other hand went to
her waist. “I saw you dancing and I told my friends, ‘I know that
girl.’ ” He grinned. “I’m glad I snagged you while I could.
Girls like you are a hot commodity ’round here.”

“I’m glad you found me,” Charlotte said. “Do you come
to these dances often?”

“From time to time. I don’t think I’ve seen you here
before. I would’ve noticed.”

“This is my first time at the USO. My girlfriends
dragged me along with them. I have to admit I’m having a wonderful
time so far. I’m glad I came.”

“Me, too,” Frankie said. “Are you still volunteering
at the hospital?”

She grinned. “Almost every day.”

“And do you miss me? I was your best patient, wasn’t
I?” Frankie winked.

“Of course! I’d want you to come back, but I don’t
want you to break your leg again or worse. It’s a sacrifice I’ll
have to make for your well-being.”

“You’re a doll. So how’s that fiancé of yours?”

She stepped on Frankie’s shoe. She looked down at her
feet, which only made her steps worse. She halted their dance. “I’m
sorry. I’m a little rusty.”

“It’s fine. Are you all right?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know how Nick is. I received a
packet of letters on Thursday. He wrote them to me en route to
North Africa. I haven’t heard from him since they landed.”

Frankie’s smile fell. “I’m sorry I asked. Jeez, I
keep doing that, don’t I? I made you cry the first time we met, and
now I’m doing it again.” He wiped a tear from the corner of her
eye. “I’m a lousy friend.”

“No, you’re not. I’m just an emotional wreck.”
Charlotte forced a smile and resumed her dance steps. “What about
you? Will any girls be jealous I’m dancing with their guy?”

He laughed. “No. I’m still unattached.”

“Are you looking?”

“I’m always looking to meet beautiful women.”

They continued dancing together in silence. Frankie
was a nice fellow and handsome enough. She could easily set him up
with one of her friends. Whether she admitted it or not, Evelyn had
George. But Sandra was available to the best of her knowledge.

When the song ended, Charlotte pulled back from him.
“Come with me. I want to introduce you to one of my friends.”

Frankie followed her toward a table in the corner of
the room. Sandra fanned herself with her hand, her feet propped up
on an empty chair. Evelyn and another man sat beside her, chatting
intimately with each other.

Sandra sighed and looked up at Charlotte. “My dogs
are already barking. I shouldn’t have worn these shoes tonight.
They pinch my toes.” She noticed Frankie and quickly sat up,
placing her feet on the floor. Her cheeks reddened.

“Sandra, I’d like you to meet a friend of mine,
Frankie.” Charlotte gestured to her companion. “Frankie, this is
Sandra.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Please have a seat.”
Sandra elbowed Evelyn. “This is Evelyn and her friend George.
Charlotte, I don’t think you’ve met George either.”

They exchanged pleasantries. George was a tall,
muscular man who was in the Navy. He wasn’t very outgoing, but it
was obvious by the way he looked at Evelyn that he adored her.
After a few minutes, they got up to leave.

Evelyn spoke into Charlotte’s ear. “Now that you’re
here, can you watch our coats and pocketbooks? We’ll be
dancing!”

Before Charlotte could reply, Evelyn had already
rushed to the dance floor with her flame.

Charlotte turned to Sandra. “Where’s Natalie?”

Sandra shrugged, her attention focused on Frankie.
“She disappeared soon after you did.” She examined Frankie’s
uniform. “So, you’re in the Army?”

“Yes, ma’am. Third Infantry Regiment. I’m stationed
here in D.C.”

“What about the war? Are you going to be shipped off
soon?”

“No, ma’am. Our roles aren’t combative. We’re still
an infantry unit, so we’re trained should the country absolutely
require our service, but we perform other functions.”

“Please stop calling me ma’am.” Sandra giggled and
took a sip from her cup of punch. “What are those other
functions?”

Frankie relaxed into his chair. “We perform
ceremonial roles, including dignified transfers and military
funerals at Arlington.”

The thought of Arlington National Cemetery sent a
chill up Charlotte’s spine.

“Oh, I see.” Sandra rested an elbow on the table and
leaned closer to him. “Where are you from? You have a bit of a
country accent I haven’t heard in these parts.”

“I’m going to get some punch.” Charlotte scooted back
her chair.

Frankie and Sandra reminded her of the September
night she and Nick met. They had an instant connection, and it
looked like Sandra and Frankie shared something similar. Charlotte
didn’t want to be a third wheel at the table. To be honest, she
didn’t feel like being at the USO center at all anymore.

On her way to the refreshments table she received a
few offers to dance. She politely declined them as she searched the
crowd for Natalie. She was likely out on the dance floor having a
ball. Natalie could jitterbug for hours and never tire. To
Charlotte’s surprise, Natalie was at the refreshments table
instead.

Charlotte poured herself a cup of the red punch and
stood beside her friend. “Having a good time?”

Natalie sighed. “I was. Then I thought about dancing
with John. Usually when I come here, I can dance with the other
guys and have a swell time. But there was this Marine who looked
too much like him. He was just as tall with the same hair and eyes.
And he had the same nose.” She sipped at her punch. “You?”

“I was, too, but then I was reminded of my first date
with Nick.”

She and Natalie stood together in silence for a
while, watching the dancers and listening to the music.

“We could go back to the college. I’m sure Evelyn and
Sandra don’t want to leave anytime soon,” Natalie said.

“Bus service has ended. We could walk. It’s freezing
outside, but it’s not that far. Do you think you could make
it?”

Natalie snorted. “I’ve survived the winters of
Michigan. I can handle it if you can.”

The decision was made to return to the college, and
they walked back to the table where Frankie and Sandra sat to fetch
their belongings.

“Natalie and I are going to leave,” Charlotte said,
pulling their coats from the pile. She found Natalie’s pocketbook
and passed it on to her as well.

Sandra sat up, her eyes wide with alarm. “Are you not
having a good time?”

Natalie placed a hand to her forehead. “I have a
headache. Charlotte agreed to walk back with me.”

Frankie stood. “I can drive you. It’s not my car, but
I have the keys. My buddy brought his own liquor, you see. He won’t
be in a state to walk by the end of tonight, let alone drive.”

Sandra rose to her feet, too. “I’ll go with you.
We’ll drop you off and return.”

“That would be an inconvenience. You should stay,”
Charlotte said.

“I won’t take no for an answer. It’s late, and in
case you didn’t notice, the streetlights are out tonight. It’s not
safe.” Frankie regarded her pointedly.

Sandra nodded. “He’s right.”

Charlotte glanced to Natalie. She shrugged.

“All right. Only because you insist.”

They left the USO center, and Frankie led them to a
Cadillac parked in the rear. Natalie and Charlotte took the back
seat while Sandra sat up front, giving directions. Within five
minutes, Frankie pulled the car up to the curb. Natalie hopped out
first and Charlotte followed.

Frankie cranked down the window. “I hope you feel
better. And Charlotte, thanks.”

Charlotte smiled. “You’re welcome. Thank you for
driving us back. Now go and have fun.” She shooed him away. “But
not too much fun. We still have a curfew, Sandra.”

She groaned. “I know, I know.”

Frankie rolled up the window and drove off.

Natalie sighed. “I remember what that was like.”

“What’s that?” Charlotte opened the front door to the
dormitory.