Every Storm (5 page)

"All right, Miss Archer," Rigg was saying. "Do you think you can manage this ladder?"

They were at the boat! Lorri was so startled that for a moment she only stared at it. If she had thought the island tiny, she knew not what to think of this PT boat. It was one of the smallest crafts in the war, and she couldn't help but wonder where everyone lived and slept.

"Can you manage it?" The question was asked again, and Lorri mentally shook herself.

"Yes," she whispered, hoping it was true. She did not wish to be carried on board.

She was given no time to think or look around. She climbed the ladder, only glad she was able to accomplish it, and then found her upper arm in the lieutenant's grasp as she was led to an open space on the deck. The men were lined up.

"Miss Archer," he began. "The men are lined up to meet you. They will step forward and introduce themselves."

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Lorri looked at each man as he stepped out of formation, stated his name and rank, and then moved back into line. Lorri had met a few of them already, and even though she concentrated on each one, she knew she would never remember all the names she'd just heard.

"Thank you, gentlemen." Rigg's voice was at its most commanding. "Now I'll remind you again. For however many days Miss Archer is with us, you will keep your distance. Some of you will have business with her; most of you will not. Any man caught fraternizing with our guest will answer to me. Dismissed to get underway."

The men fell instantly out of formation to scatter in all directions, and Lionel was suddenly there.

"I'll show you below, Miss Lorri."

"Thank you." She almost smiled at his familiar face, but feeling as though she'd just been swept from one surreal world to the next, Lorri only followed him down the narrow steps to the passage below.

"This is the galley," Lionel said from the incredibly tight space of the passageway, the throb of the engines all around them, as he forced himself not to look at Lorri's vulnerable face. "You'll take your meals in here in the officer's mess." Lionel indicated the table. "Ellis will tell you when."

Lorri looked up at the cook, who nodded at her, his expression open.

"Right this way is your cabin. Lieutenant Riggs will be in here with you, but you'll have privacy behind this sheet. Ensign Westland may need to stop in now and again to retrieve something, but they'll both give you as much privacy as you need."

"Thank you." Lorri uttered the first words that had come from her mouth since boarding the vessel.

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Rigg chose that moment to see how the tour was going, and as he did, put Lorri's small bundle of clothes on his bed in his cabin. His bed was not built into the wall but was actually in the room, next to a small desk. He then moved into the passageway where he listened to Lionel.

"And right here is the officer's head."

Lionel opened the door, and Lorri looked in to see a toilet, sink, and an area to hang wet things.

Rigg had come upon them and just stood listening as Lionel finished explaining. He'd no more stopped speaking than two enlisted men chose the moment to come through the passage. The men backed up to give them room, as did Lorri, but it wasn't remotely the same. Rigg watched the men's chests as they passed Lorri's front and was strongly reminded that this boat was not meant to be shared by men and women.

"Miss Archer." Rigg got her attention. "Whenever you can step out of the passageway for the men to pass, that's going to be best. Do you know what I'm talking about?"

Lorri nodded. The men hadn't touched her, but small as she was, it had still been a tight squeeze.

"Yes, sir."

"Did you want to rest now?" Rigg offered, wanting her out of the way as much as possible.

"Thank you."

"I've got lunch ready for Miss Archer."

The three in the passage turned to find Ellis addressing them. Rigg turned back to Lorri.

"It looks like you can rest or eat, Miss Archer. Your call."

Lorri looked into Rigg's face. Some corner of her brain registered the fact that she shouldn't be on this vessel. It was nothing

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Lori Wick

much trouble and didn't want to do anything to get in anyone's way.

Suddenly Lord's thoughts stopped. She remembered coming on board and eating, but then she was in the bunk waking up. Moving slowly, she turned the light off in the cabin and went across to the officer's mess. Ellis was there.

"Hello," Lord greeted.

Ellis turned in surprise.

"Did you sleep?" he asked after a moment.

"I must have. I don't remember."

His eyes having returned to the pan he was drying, Ellis spoke, seeing her in his mind. She had some new color in her face, but her cheeks were too thin, causing her lips and eyes to stand out.

"It'll take some time to feel like yourself again," he said.

"Did ypu give me some soup?"

"That I did."

"I'm sorry I left without thanking you."

"It doesn't matter."

"It matters to me."

Ellis finally looked over at her.

"Would you like a cup of coffee?"

"Oh, that sounds wonderful."

"Sit yourself down."

The table was more of a booth with benches than an actual table with chairs. Lorri made herself comfortable and looked around. There wasn't a lot to see, but she was taking in a chart on the wall when Ellis approached.

"Sugar?" he asked as he placed a steaming cup aird saucer in front of Her.

"Yes, please."

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At home she would have had cream as well but didn't expect that here. Not a minute later she took her first sip, her eyes closing in satisfaction. Right now she couldn't remember the other foods Ellis had made for her. Her mind was solely on this coffee and the wonderful flavor in her mouth.

Ellis watched her a moment and then, remembering the lieutenant's admonition from that morning, he got her a few crackers and some more broth. He arranged things on a plate and set them beside her.

"Thank you," Lorri said, still enjoying the coffee.

"You're welcome."

Lorri proceeded to eat every bite. It wasn't a lot of food, but she found herself very full in little time at all. Picking up her plate and cup, she thanked Ellis and made her way along the passage, finding it odd that she hadn't seen anyone. She was nearly to the stairs that led up when a door opened and two men entered.

That they didn't expect to find her was obvious. They stopped, stared for a moment, and then moved past her. Lorri tried to get flat against the wall, but the men were still very close as they inched past her. Both turned to look at her, and Lorri smiled a little.

As they moved out of sight, Lorri heard, "She smiled at me."

"No, she didn't. She smiled at me."

"That's a joke."

The rest of the words were lost on her, but for the first time in a long while, Lorri wanted to laugh. With a small shake of her head, she made for the deck.

Once topside, Lorri stood and let the wind hit her full in the face. The
Every Storm
was moving at a good pace but not a hurried one. Men moved here and there, but no one seemed to notice her.

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Lori Wick

She felt her hair whip into her face and reached up to pull it back with her hands.

"Did you need something, Miss Lorri?" Lionel asked, coming from nowhere to stand in front her.

"No, I just wanted to see the sun."

"You can't be up here without a life jacket."

Lionel saw the "Oh" that formed on Lord's mouth, but he never heard it. Without warning, the skies filled with the sound of aircraft, men yelling, and gunfire exploding the calm world around them. Lionel all but shoved Lorri back through the door that had brought her topside, only to have men coming up so fast behind her that she was shoved out again. Rigg was suddenly in front of her, eyes ablaze.

"Gef
below!" .

Lorri didn't argue. She scurried as fast as she could but was thrown around on the stairway and again when she reached the passage. She was knocked to her knees twice in her attempt to gain the cabin. Finally there, she curled in a corner of the bunk, listening to the world explode around her.

What irony
was all she could think.
To be rescued off an island only to die at sea. Who will there be to tell my mother what's happened? How will Max and Grandpa know?

A sudden lurch of the boat forced her to brace herself with her hand and foot against the wall. She wasn't very strong, but fear gave her a measure of strength she didn't know existed.

Cannon fire, men shouting, and what seemed to be many low-flying planes filled her ears for long minutes. All the while the boat bounced and turned its way through the water like a thing possessed. Lorri prayed and held on for dear life.

It took some time, but things eventually calmed. Even then, Lorri held tight to her spot and stared out the open door of the

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. She hadn't bothered with the light in the room, but the lightK'".,the passageway gave her some comfort. She was staring

ht at itwhen it was blocked out by a tall, broad figure. jpVliss Archer?" Rigg called her name as he flipped on the light. . arri scrambled from the bed. IJfls everyone all right. Is anyone hurt?"

"Jo, we're fine. Are you all right?"

|ie moment she had seen him, Lorri had started to shake and n't stop. She noticed that his face and the front of the life

:
that was secured tightly to his person were both wet. She

dered absently if anyone ever fell overboard and was lost.iv."Miss Archer?" Rigg tried again. Lorri looked into his eyes. |'"Was it the Japanese?" she asked, sure of the answer.

pfor a moment, Lorri could only stare at him. "It's like this for you all the time, isn't it?" she finally asked in ill voice. "They come and try to shoot you out of the water, I you have to fight back."

Rigg could see that this sudden introduction to the war had : her. He could only imagine how it seemed from her point lyiew, but it was their job. He did his best to explain. ' "We're all trained to do multiple tasks. And every man on this
I
wants to win this war and go home. We're doing our jobs, 1 we're good at them." "I. didn't want anyone to be hurt." "We're fine. But you didn't tell me if you were all right?" H
"'
"Yes, I think so. I didn't do anything"

"Yes, you did," he surprised her by saying. "You did your job, iich is to land yourself in that bunk and hang on for all you're
yrihr

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Lori Wick

Lorri couldn't stop the smile that came to her mouth. She felt so relieved and safe all at the same time.

Watching it, Rigg smiled as well.

"We'll make a soldier out of you yet."

It was there again: She wanted to laugh. But before she could do that, Rigg had nodded and gone on his way. He'd shut the door on his way out, and Lorri, weary once again, sat back down on the bunk. She remained there until Ellis told her it was time for dinner.

The next morning Lorri found herself trembling all over again, but this time for a very different reason. She didn't want to make any mistakes or be a bother. She stood in the small head, undressed and poised before the sink, washcloth in hand, knowing she had very little time with the water-Lionel had explained this-and very little energy to spare.

What she hadn't counted on was how cold the water would make her. She shivered all the way through soaping and rinsing. Nevertheless, she felt cleaner. Her skin smelled of soap, and she'd even managed to wash her hair. She thought she might have taken a little longer than allowed but hoped she would be forgiven this one time.

Without warning "White Christmas" came to her mind. Even though she was still chilled, she hummed as she dried herself- words weren't long in coming. She sang, softly at first, and then with a little more volume, completely unaware of the effect it had on every man within hearing.

Sailors came from their rooms, men stopped in the passage, and even Ellis walked from the galley. They stood frozen, their

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ton nothing, and listened to Lorri's soft, clear soprani ^oice

lg about home.

^Bigg heard it as well. He had been at the desk in his cat?11^ and I into the passageway. His men didn't even notice hk^1" They |$tood until the song came to a quiet end. Not until i^1^ soft |jns died away did the men notice their commanding ^Rcer. ; didn't need to say a word. Each man went back to hrsl>usi-, as did Rigg, but each and every sailor could still hear t^esong ||ps head.

Her stomach full of the soup Ellis had made for lunc^1' Lorri |t as though she could take another nap. She wanted to r^Slst but sn't sure she should. Just in case, she decided to use the ^-^cer's ad before returning to the cabin. She had been keeping ve*^ *nuch kto herself, wanting to be out of the way. Her need had
n**
been I' Urgent, but she was weary of being weary and of the office/scabin as well.