Beyond the Shadow of War (19 page)

Her heart fluttered. “Yes, but I’ve been here for several months. My husband was stationed with the 390th in Framlingham.”

He waited for more. She hesitated.

“It’s a long story.”

He chuckled. “They all are. Okay, let’s see what you have and what you need.” He looked over the documents she’d provided, then shuffled through his files. He pulled out a folder with her name typed on it as well as Danny’s military documentation.

“Well then, Mrs. McClain. I see Corporal Werthan from the 390th has requested special attention be given to you.”

“Corporal Werthan. Yes. He was extremely helpful.”

“Good. Let me just look through your file and make sure you’ve got all we need.”

A few minutes later, he continued. “Yes, it looks like Captain Werthan did most of my work for me.” He pressed a stamp into the ink pad then stamped all her forms. “Which means you’re all set.”

“All set?”

“All set. I’ve provided the forms you’ll need for your physicals, and since you’ve already received approved VIP status thanks to Werthan, you’re good to go.”

Anya blinked in utter shock. “Thank you. Thank you
so
much.”

“You’re more than welcome.”

She gathered her file and purse and stood to go. Then, without thinking, she held out her hand and gave him a firm handshake. “Thank you for your kindness, Lieutenant‌—‌”

“Powell. Phillip Powell.”

She smiled. “Lieutenant Phillip Powell. I can’t tell how much I appreciate your help.”

“It’s my pleasure, Mrs. McClain.” He squeezed her hand again then let go. “God bless you on your journey to America.”

His words rendered an instant wave of calm through her from head to toe. She smiled, unable to speak, but knowing without question that the American who’d held her hand was another answer to Betty McClain’s prayers.

She couldn’t wait to find Sophie and share the good news.

20

12 September 1945 

Chicago, Illinois 

Dear Anya,

I’m on the train heading downtown for classes. One week in and I’m already behind in a couple of my courses. I don’t remember this much reading, but I suppose that goes with the territory for a history major. These professors could learn a lot from Mrs. Zankowski about making the material more interesting, but overall I like most of them.

I feel like I’m a hundred years old compared to the other kids in my classes. Makes sense because it sure feels like that long since I was in school before the war.

I know you’re not a big Cubs fan (yet!), but I have to tell you what happened the other day. Joey got to know a guy named Marv who’s been a regular at the theater for the past few months. Real nice guy who lost his son at Pearl Harbor, so obviously he took a liking to Joey. Turns out he’s a ticket-taker at Wrigley Field where the Cubs play! So Joey asked if he could get some good tickets for us to a game or two. (I can’t remember if I told you that uniformed servicemen get in free at Wrigley – I guess as a gesture of support of the troops.)

Anyway, he said it would be his honor to give Joey a couple of complimentary tickets for as many games as we want! Isn’t that great!? He even said he’d make sure we’d have seats for the World Series games if the Cubs keep playing as well as they are. How about that!

All that to say, I’ll definitely take you to some games once you come home! Now, I’m sure you’re probably rolling your eyes about now … but I promise you’ll enjoy going. Everyone here has Cubs fever! Well, except for the White Sox fans, of course. I’m not kidding when I say this could be our year! Now if we can just get you on that ship before the season ends.

Otherwise, we’ve fallen into a routine around here. I’m helping at the theater when I can, plus I’ve applied for some jobs on campus. It’s so different from the Evanston campus where I used to go, but I’m getting used to it.

You wouldn’t believe how much little Jimmy has grown. I had no idea babies develop so fast. Joey is determined to make me change one of Jimmy’s dirty diapers, but Mom always comes to my rescue. She says I’ll have plenty of opportunity to learn when you and I have our own kids. Have to say I’m already looking forward to that. Especially if we have a little girl as pretty as you.

Let me know if you’ve heard anything or if they’ve given you a departure date. I know the waiting must be so hard, but I’m glad to hear Sybil is there with you through the process. Who would have imagined on the day we ran into them in London that you and she would become good friends?

Everyone here sends their love. Tell Sophie, Charlie, and Patrick hello for me. I sure miss all of them, but nowhere near as much as I miss
YOU
. The nights are the hardest. “Sophie-the-dog”is doing much better, though she still requires lots of help. She keeps me company at night, but she’s no substitute for my beautiful wife. In case you wondered.

With all my love,

Danny

Danny filed out of his
European Civilization
class with the other students and headed across campus. He had an hour break before his last class of the day at 11:00, and usually camped out in one of the study nooks at Schaffner Library. But with the weather so nice, he opted to stay outdoors. He found a bench near the pond not far from his classroom and dug an apple out of his satchel.

It still felt odd, being back in school. Almost like he didn’t belong. Last year at this time, he hadn’t yet made the trip across the Atlantic to his base in Framlingham; hadn’t yet flown a mission, and didn’t have a clue that one day he would parachute out of a B-17 into Occupied Holland. It all seemed so distant now, more like a dream than reality.

Yet here he was, back in school on a busy college campus with no visible evidence of the war they’d just fought and won. He wondered how many guys on campus here were like him‌—‌veterans getting their education thanks to the GI Bill. He’d surely passed them in the halls, fairly confident he could tell which of them had seen action overseas. Something in their eyes. Loss of innocence, perhaps? Memories from the battlefield still fresh in their minds? Prolonged grief for lost friends? Didn’t matter. They all shared a distinct maturity beyond their years.

He took another bite of his apple and opened his textbook as a stiff breeze whipped his bookmark and sent it sailing.

“I’ve got it,” a voice behind him called.

As he stood and turned around, he locked eyes with her.

“Danny?” she gasped.

“Beverly?”

She’d changed her hair, wore it shorter now. But otherwise, his college sweetheart looked the same. He swallowed hard. “What are you doing here?”

“I can’t believe it’s you! I, well, I work here on campus.” She blushed as she handed him the renegade bookmark. “I never expected … I mean, after all these years? What are you doing here?”

“I’m back in school. Finishing my degree, thanks to Uncle Sam.”

“The GI Bill?”

“Yes.”

“I knew you were in the Army Air Force. Co-pilot, was it?”

“Yes, but how did you know?”

“Friends. Friends of friends. That sort of thing.”

He felt his face warm. “Well, yes, I flew B-17s. Co-pilot. Stationed in England.” He cleared his throat, hating the nervous quiver in his voice. “You?”

“Me?” She smiled. “No, I didn’t fly B-17s. Or any other plane, for that matter.”

“No, I meant Ron. Wait, was it Ron or Ronnie? I can’t remember.”

She looked away with a shift in her countenance. “Ronnie was in the navy. He was a fighter pilot on the USS
Princeton.
”
She looked back in his direction, her eyes moist. “Last October, the
Princeton
was part of a task force trying to take back the Philippines. Ronnie’s ship was destroyed by a single Japanese bomb dropped on the flight deck. He’d just returned for refueling.”

She pressed her knuckle to the corner of one eye then the other. “I keep thinking I’m done with these pesky tears, and then here they come again‌—‌”

Without so much as a thought, he dropped his apple and moved to her side. She stiffened, hesitating at first, then relaxed her head against his shoulder. It felt so familiar, and yet‌—‌different. He startled, realizing what he’d done and took an awkward step back.

“I’m, uh … sorry.” He dug out his handkerchief and offered it to her.

She looked at him, her brows pinched together as she took it. “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have‌—‌”

“No, I’m the one who’s‌—‌”

She gulped a chuckle then let it go, dabbing at her eyes. “Look at us. A regular couple of clowns, aren’t we?”

He scratched his eyebrow. “Yeah, sorry about that. I think it was just seeing you again so suddenly, then hearing about Ronnie … look, why don’t we sit down. Do you have time?”

“Yes, I’m on my break.” She took a seat as he sat a safe distance from her.

“What do you do here?”

“I’m the assistant director of public relations for the university. We do marketing, publicity, recruitment. That sort of thing.”

He nodded, looking out across the pond. “Sounds like the perfect job for you.”

“Oh, I don’t know. Mostly it just pays the rent these days.”

He looked over at her again. “Listen, Beverly, I’m really sorry about Ronnie. I lost friends too, but I can’t imagine losing someone you love.”

She took a deep breath then slowly let it out. “It’s been hard. Really hard. One minute, I was saying goodbye to my handsome husband, all decked out in his dress whites. The next thing I know, a car pulls up to my house and two very somber naval officers knock on my door. No one ever prepares you for that.”

She wiped at her eyes again, then folded the handkerchief and handed it back to him.

“No, you keep it. I’ve got plenty of others.”

Beverly nodded then turned to face him. “Thank you. But I’m glad to know you made it through the war and came home. I’m sure your family was relieved and happy when you returned. What about your brother Joey? Has he recovered from his injuries?”

“Joey’s doing fine. Married to a great girl and they just had a baby a couple of months ago.”

“That’s nice. Good for them. And what about you? Is there a
Mrs.
Danny McClain?”

“Yes there is. Her name is Anya. In fact, I think I once told you about her. Remember the pen pal in Holland I had in high school? His name was Hans and he died‌—‌”

“‌—‌while trying to save a young girl who was drowning. Of course I remember. It was such a tragic story.”

“Yes, it was. Anya is his sister who wrote to tell me what happened. Then she and I started writing and became friends.”

“Okay, I remember her too, but I’m confused. As I recall, you never heard from her again after the Germans invaded Holland, right? How in the world did you meet her?”

“You wouldn’t believe it.”

For the next few minutes, Danny explained the complicated story; told her about their wedding in England, and how anxious he was for her to sail to America. He even pulled out his wallet and showed her the picture from their wedding.

“She’s lovely, Danny. Such a beautiful love story. I’m truly happy for you.”

“Thanks, Beverly. I appreciate that.”

They sat in silence for a couple of minutes until Danny remembered the time and checked his watch. “I’ve got class starting in ten minutes, so I need to go.” He stood and gathered his books.

“It’s good to see you again,” she said, standing.

“Yes, for me, too. Quite a shock after all these years, but nice.”

As he turned to go, she caught his arm. “Danny?”

“Yes?”

“I probably shouldn’t ask, but … would you meet for coffee sometime?”

He felt his eyebrows arch and tried to work them back down. “Uh, well, I guess‌—‌”

She looked away. “It’s just that I’d like to … well, there are things I need to say. If you would allow me?”

He glanced at his watch, stalling. “Uh, well, I guess that would be okay. I’m only on campus on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, so‌—‌”

“Then how about Friday? Day after tomorrow?”

“Okay. My break starts at 10:00.”

“Good. Then I’ll meet you at the campus coffee shop.”

“Okay.”

“Okay. Friday at ten. I’ll see you then.”

She turned to go the other way as Danny made his way to the sidewalk. His heart stuttered as he wondered what in the world he was thinking to agree to a coffee date with his college sweetheart.

His
ex-
college sweetheart.

Now a widow.

Never mind that I’m a married man.