Captivated (12 page)

Mrs. Metcalf was asking about you today. She wants you to know that she's been praying for you everyday. It seems like all of our conversations focus on you. She always tells me that she expects to be invited to our wedding. I, of course, tell her that our wedding is quite a distance away. After all, you have to come home safe before we can even think about a wedding. And you would have to decide that you want to be married to me forever. I do hope you come home safe so that I can let my mind wander to thoughts of a white dress, flowers , and that all important kiss. I suppose until you come home it's alright for me to dream of that day, and of you.

Affectionately,

Lilli

Sam re-folded Lilli's most recent letters, tears washing the dirt off his face in small streams. He kept himself close to the sturdy tree, it's bark scratching the back of his neck. Dried sweat and dirt had collected beneath the chin strap that held his helmet on his head. They were in a forest, had been for almost an entire day. His unit was moving, they had been ordered to join another unit closer to the battle line. The journey had been simple, fun even, until they reached the forest and met with the enemy. It was apparent that they had received intelligence that Allies would be traveling this way, at this exact moment.

Several of his friends had already been shot, groaning on the cold ground, or worse. He and Wes had been crouching behind a large elm tree for what had to have been more than two hours. He thought this might be one of his last moments, so he had taken out Lilli's letters, to remind him of what was waiting for him at home. While he sat, he scrawled a short message to her and shoved it into an envelope which already bore her address. Since the fighting had become more fierce, he always kept an addressed envelope in his breast pocket, so he would be able to write his final words to her himself. It was tricky to write, not wanting to scare her if he ended up making it through, but needing to tell her the truth about his feelings.

Every muscle in his body was tense, groaning, begging to be stretched. He clung tightly to his rifle, waiting until the zipping of bullets slowed. Wes turned, looking directly at Sam. The most serious expression he had ever seen on his long time friend.

"I think we need to do something Sammy."

"And what do you suggest? There are nearly twenty more of them than us." Sam whispered, trying to remain logical. "They could call in reinforcements at any moment, they know this forest far better than we do."

"We are both a good shot. If you duck out that side, and I this one, we could get two of them. Just stay near the tree after you've shot!"

"Thank you for that reminder, I'm glad you think I'm such a good soldier."

"I do, but everyone gets a bit flustered when there are bullets flying. It was a reminder to you as well as myself. And, I don't want to face those sisters of yours without you." he added with a smirk. "Alright, on the count of three."

Sam's mouth went dry as Wes counted beside him. He cocked his rifle on two, then spun out from behind the shelter of the tree on three. Taking a moment to gain his sight he aimed and fired a second before Wes. Two objects dropped in the distance and Sam spun back behind the tree. Wes was breathing hard and offered a weak smile as they crouched down again.

"We're going to have to make another shot, or they'll find us first." Sam said quickly.

"Alright, wait for them to fire, or we'll be shooting blind."

It only took a minute before two bullets whizzed passed the tree. With one look, they spun back out from behind the tree and fired again. It felt like they spent hours playing this deadly hide and seek game for more than an hour. They reloaded their rifles three times in the process. Eventually, they moved to join more of their troop, racing and ducking behind trees until they reached the familiar faces.

"Private Carter, we need to run for more cover. You are the best marksman we have, can you provide cover fire for us?" Captain Hansley asked.

"Yes sir." Sam nodded, putting another round into his rifle.

"No Sam, someone else can do it, you're coming with me." Wes whispered, forcefully.

"No Wes, this is what we all signed up for. It's my turn to do my part, go, I'll make sure you get there safely.

"I'm staying with you."

Sam grabbed his shoulders, "I need someone to cover me when it's my turn to run, you're the only one I trust."

"Alright," Wes sighed in defeat, "but don't do anything stupid, you know how I feel about your sisters."

"Don't worry, at least Sarah won't give you any trouble, and besides, I want to get home, I'll be thinking of them the whole time I'm out there."

"And Lilli." Wes smiled.

Sam laughed, "And Lilli."

Wes gave a troubled nod and joined the others. The captain gave the call and Sam took position, his eyes open wide, tense with attention. He heard his fellow soldiers start to make their way across the forest. They had taken only five steps before Sam saw the first Nazi taking aim. He settled his rifle and fired two shots to be sure, then swivelled to the left, picking off another Nazi threatening his friends. Skillfully he fired more than twenty shots into the cool dark night. He heard the high pitched whistle cut through the forest and knew the other men were safe.

He sighed relief then readied himself to make the run of his life. The whistle sounded and Sam took off, leaping over the thick roots and holes that covered the forest floor. He could see the faces of his friends and Wes' strong back as he picked off Nazis that Sam dared not look at. Suddenly, he was forced to the ground, pain so severe in his leg he didn't know what had happened. Daring a look, he saw blood pouring from his leg. As he reached down he felt a hole in his knee, the realization that he had been shot made him forget his surroundings.

Before he could fully grasp the situation at hand, he felt a bullet sing past his ear. He dropped to the ground as quickly as gravity allowed. His mind raced at the seriousness of the situation, there was no way he could run but here, he was an unmoving target. Panic flooded his every muscle as he heard footsteps pounding toward him with great speed. Slowly he lifted his rifle above his head to signify his surrender.

"Put that down you idiot!" Wes said in a hurried whisper, his face serious with thoughts of his task. "Where are you hurt."

"My knee..." Sam answered in equal quickness.

"Alright, one of you grab his torso, and the other hold his legs carefully. Sam, this might hurt a bit, but we've got to get you to safety."

Sam nodded, just now realizing that two other men had accompanied Wes. On the count of three, they lifted him. The pain of straightening his knee proved so excruciating that his body must have thought it best to escape consciousness. The last thing he remembered seeing was Wes' jostling head before everything went black.

Chapter 11

July 7, 1944

January 15, 1944

Dear Lilli,

It was so wonderful to receive your Christmas letter. I found your letter from the same time last year and read them both several times, somehow, it made me feel less far away. I can certainly imagine every Christmas with you curled up in my arms in front of a fireplace.

Truthfully, I would give anything to be home now. Things are becoming horrible over here. It's hard to even know if a bomb might be nearby because the blasts are so frequent. More and more of my friends are being killed as we face the Nazi's. I think of you and my sisters everyday, those are the only thoughts that make me forget the horrors of this place.

Keep praying that God will allow me to come home and enjoy a full life with you and my family. I know that He is the only way I'll make it out of here. I know that you have been praying, but I feel as though I have to ask you to continue to pray fervently.

Still Captivated

February 28, 1944

Dear Lilli,

I am sorry that my last letter made you so upset. I realized when we first began our correspondence that details of this war would only worry you. The mood of my last letter was because I had just lost one of my friends. It seems almost constant here and it becomes very depressing. I suppose I now think of you as the person to comfort me. But I will make sure to be careful with my letters, because I don't want to worry you anymore than you already are.

I really enjoyed the story about the O'Connor children. It is so comforting to know that life goes on as usual at home. I am sure to you it doesn't seem normal, but believe me, ice cream is normal. You have to promise you'll let me meet them when I get home. I have visions of them in my head and would love to see them smile.

I also have some exciting news about my family. Sarah is married! She was married right before Christmas. I am so happy for her, but sad that I didn't get to see her in her white dress. Hopefully he's a respectable man, I'm sure my Father would have been equally protective of Sarah. Something hurts, knowing I'll never get to see her married. I imagine that things are very different at home now. Sarah is living in the cottage and I have a brother-in-law. Sorry to complain yet again, but she's my sister. I hope Viv is doing well with her newfound love. I also hope, as always, that you are doing fabulously! I miss you more and more as the days go by, and can't wait until I see you!

Still Captivated

March 16, 1944

Dear Lilli,

I am sorry in advance for the shortness of this letter, but I felt the sudden need to inform you of my feelings. I am in love with you Lilli Windsor. It is my firm belief that a girl should know when she is love, and you are. I apologize for the method and blunt delivery, I would have told you earlier but felt that a letter was not an appropriate way to tell you. But now, as the days become more dangerous, it seems that a letter is all I have. I love you, and I will continue to love you until the day I die.

Lilli sighed again, reading the last three letters from Joe, like she had done every day since April. Something was wrong, and she knew it. She had sent four letters since receiving his last and had gotten no response. Worry had plagued her thoughts and her features every day. Everyone noticed, especially Mrs. Metcalf.

After getting herself ready, her father volunteered to drop her off on his way to the office. She was quiet on the ride, smiling briefly in thanks before hopping out of the car. Mrs. Metcalf was waiting for her at the door, Lilli giving her the biggest smile she could manage. Mrs. Metcalf gave her a big hug before speaking.

"Let's get out to your garden, and then you can give me the update."

Lilli nodded, heading straight for the small bathroom on the first floor where her gardening clothes were folded neatly. She changed quickly then walked to the victory garden, where Mrs. Metcalf had already set up a chair. Lilli squatted, pushing her hands into the soft earth, methodically pulling out the weeds that had sprouted in the two weeks since she had been here.

After her fourth weed, she sighed and began to spew all the worries that had been building up inside her. "I haven't heard from him in forty two days..."

"You're counting the days?"

"Yes, I know how crazy that sounds, but, I'm so worried. His letters used to come every twenty or twenty five days."

"It doesn't sound crazy dear, it just sounds like you're in love." Mrs. Metcalf noted.

"I am," Lilli said desperately, "and he loves me! I wish I had admitted my feelings sooner, but I thought a letter wasn't the right place for it. But what if he died not knowing how I felt?"