by Dan Verner
“In any case, there will be a need for funds,” Betty noted. “So let’s get started.”
Otto stood up. “Planning social events is not my strong suite, so if you’ll excuse me, I have some work to do. I’ll help any way I can. Just tell me what to do.”
“Oh, you can assure yourself we’ll do that,” Mata smiled, and she and Betty chuckled.
Otto left them talking about guest lists. He felt more comfortable on the farm or at the airport or in the air than he did at a social event. Still, it was a good idea. They would have to see how it all panned out.
***
Betty and Otto were working in the airport office one day later that week. The airport was quiet. A car came up the gravel drive, and Betty looked out to see who it was. “Otto, it’s Mata!” she exclaimed and ran outside to see what Mata was doing there. She never came unless she had told them she would be coming.
Mata got out of the car, leaving the door open in her haste. “Betty! Otto! The Germans have surrendered! The war is over in Europe!”
Betty raced to her and they embraced, jumping up and down like two schoolgirls. Otto came out, wiping his hands. He smiled a broad smile as he embraced the two women. “It’s finally over. I don’t believe it. Well, one down and one to go.” They stood there a while, the three friends, too overcome to think what this turn of events might mean for their lives.
***
The charity ball took place the last Saturday in May. Mata and Betty had enlisted some help, but they spent the better part of the week before at the Ross’s mansion, decorating and taking care of final details. Otto had to stay at the farm and supervise the hired men since Mata generally did that. She came home Friday evening, looking tired but satisfied.
“So, how is it going?” Otto asked her.
“We’re ready,” she told him. “I just have to go over tomorrow morning and help Betty with a few details and then come home and get myself ready.”
“With all this business, you haven’t told me who your date is.” Betty had asked Otto to escort her, and to wear his uniform.
Mata blushed. “It’s Pete Johanssen, two farms over.”
“Mata, I didn’t know you had a boyfriend.”
“He’s not my boyfriend. We’ve been out a few times, but nothing beyond that.”
“How did I miss this?”
“You’ve been busy with Betty.”
“Yes, well, good for you, sis. I hope you have a great time.”
“I know you will with Betty.” She winked at him.
***
Otto had had his uniform cleaned, and he dressed carefully the next day. He came out into the living room. Mata clapped her hands. “How handsome you are, brother! Betty will be on the arm of the handsomest man there!”
“Well, I’d better get going. Thank you for letting me use your car.”
“Yes, well, this isn’t exactly a pickup affair. Pete will be along to get me in a few minutes, so you’d better get going.”
Otto drove carefully to Betty’s house, parked and knocked on the door. He was somewhat surprised when Betty opened the door herself. She looked radiant in a blue dress with her hair done up. Otto gave a low whistle. “You look wonderful,” he told her.
“And you are so handsome,” she said, drawing him by the hand into the vestibule.
“Where are Sarah and James?” he asked.
“They’re at my parents’ helping with the dance. They’ll stay there overnight, so after the ball it’ll be just us here. Now come in and let’s have a little pre-event drink.”
Otto followed her into the living room where the silver cocktail service was set up. She mixed up two cocktails, plopped an olive in each one and offered him one. He took it. “A toast!” she exclaimed.
“A toast,” he returned, somewhat more weakly.
“To winning the war, to the USO and to us!” She clinked her glass on his.
“To winning the war, the USO and us!” he echoed. They both sipped from their martinis. “Sit down, we have a minute,” Betty said. “Are you ready for your coming out in society?”
“Like a deb? I guess so.”
“Most people haven’t seen you since you got back. They want to see their war hero.”
“I’m not exactly something to look at,” Otto said.
“If they see what I see, they’ll be just fine.”
“There were plenty of stares at the funeral.”
“Yes. Thank you for coming. What a show that was.”
“The minister didn’t say anything about Tom. Is that customary?”
“Apparently it is, although he asked me if there was anything I wanted him to say about him. I said no. What I meant was I didn’t care what he said about the son of a bitch.”
“That’s so unlike you, Betty,” looking at her with a level gaze.
“Yeah, well, no one knows how bad it was. And it was my own damn fault for marrying him.”
“Well, water under the bridge.”
“You like to say that, don’t you, Otto?”
“It helps me get through.”
They finished their cocktails and then stood to go. Betty took Otto’s arm and they went out the front door.
“Ooh, you have the car,” she exclaimed. “Very nice.”
Otto opened the door for her and she got in. “Thank you,” she smiled up at him.
Betty was clearly excited about the upcoming event. “We’ve raised over $20,000 from our little town. Can you believe that? Of course, everyone wants to help the boys. Everyone has someone in the war in some way.”
She kept up a steady flow of comments during the short drive to her parents’ house. They had to line up behind other cars turning into the long circular driveway. When they reached the head of the line, James opened Betty’s door and then came around to park the car for them. “Good evening Captain,” he said with a slight bow.
“Good evening, James,” Otto returned. Betty took his arm and they walked the red carpet that had been laid out for the occasion. They walked through the ornate double doors that Otto remembered from their dance lessons. A uniformed butler announced two couples before them and then it was their turn:
“Mrs. Betty Brown and Captain Otto Kerchner!” he intoned. There was mild applause from couples gathered in the parlor. Otto and Betty stepped into the room. Betty waved to a few people she knew. Otto felt as if everyone were staring at him. They moved rapidly to the side of the room.
The orchestra Betty had hired for the occasion started playing. She looked at him in recognition: “It’s ‘Teach Me Tonight,” she said. “One we practiced dancing to in high school. Let’s dance, Otto. I want you to hold me in your arms. I’ll even let you sing to me.”
Otto laughed and took her easily into his arms. “No singing,” he promised. “I’ve given up on that.”
Betty laughed and they moved around the small dance floor with a few other couples. “You dance divinely, Captain K,” Betty told him, smiling.
“As do you, Mrs. Brown,” he returned. “I had the best instruction from two ladies of my acquaintance.”
The soloist finished the song,
One thing isn’t very clear, my love. Should the teacher stand so near, my love?
Graduation’s almost here, my love. Teach me tonight.
They clapped for the orchestra, which swung into “In the Mood,” an up-tempo number. The band was good, and played all the popular songs. The soloist took the mike and said, “And now a special trip number for all you guys and gals in the service. This dance is for you and this song is for you. Two other women joined her and they launched into “Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy.” The couples jitterbugged as if they were on fire.
After a couple more up-tempo numbers, the band slowed it down with “The White Cliffs of Dover.” Betty had Otto hold her close. Otto couldn’t help but think of Alice, who sang along with the song when they danced to it a world and eons away. Betty looked up at him. “Why so serious, Otto?”
“Oh, not
hing. This song just reminds me of something.”
“Or someone?”
“Or someone.”
“Someone like Alice?”
“Well, yes.”
“Mata told me you got a letter from her.”
“I did.”
“And?”
“I threw it away. That part of my life is over. I prefer to focus on what’s going on now, including and especially you.”
Betty held him closer. “I’m glad.”
“So am I,” Otto answered.
The band took a break, and the dancers filed into the dining room, which had been set up with a display of Army food. Otto groaned inwardly. He understood that the food was to show support and solidarity with the troops, but he had had enough Army food in the Army. He and Betty took small plates and a few forkfuls of the offerings and made their way to the garden, where tables covered with white linen had been set up. They sat down and were soon joined by Mata and Pete. Otto stood up as Mata sat down. “Good evening,” Betty said. “Mata, you look absolutely lovely. Pete, you’re lucky to have such a beautiful date.”
“I know,” Pete answered.
“I can’t believe we’re actually doing this and it’s going so well,” Mata said. “I hope we raise a lot of money for the USO!”
“We’ll announce a final figure near the end,” Betty assured her, “after we’ve had time to count it.”
The two couples sat and listened as the orchestra started playing again. This time the song was “I’ll Be Seeing You.” Betty took Otto’s hand as she hummed along with the song. The vocalist came in,
I’ll be seeing you in all the old familiar places
That this heart embraces all day through…
Otto smiled at Betty. He couldn’t remember being this happy for a long time.
***
Betty took the microphone about midnight to announce the totals. “I am so pleased to tell you that tonight we have raised over $22,000 for our USO. Isn’t that wonderful?”
The couples gathered in the garden applauded and then began saying their good-byes.
Otto and Betty went over to her parents. “Mom and Dad, thank you so much for letting us have our soiree at your house. It was the perfect place!”
Otto shook hands with Betty’s dad and her mom kissed him on the cheek. “I know you both worked very hard,” Mrs. Ross told them. We were happy to provide the place.”
“Well, we’ll be going,” Betty said. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Good night,” they said to each other.
Betty and Otto walked out into the warm evening. Otto opened the car door for her. He came around, got in, started the car, and they drove off.
“I hope you can come in for a few minutes,” Betty told him. “And no excuses about having to get up with the cows.”
“Well, I guess I can.”
“You’d better, mister,” and she laid her head on his shoulder.
Otto stopped the car in front of the house. “We’ll have a nice nightcap,” Betty promised.
She opened the door and they stepped in. She threw her arms around him and kissed him long and hard. “Alone at last,” she whispered, and winked. “You sit here in the living room and I’ll change into something more comfortable. Take off your jacket.”
Otto obediently did as he was told. He sat looking around until Betty came in dressed in what he would call not very much. He gulped.
Betty had a cocktail glass in each hand. “Here’s your drink,” she told him. “Like my outfit?”
“V-v-very much,” Otto stammered.
She took his glass from him and set it with hers on the table. She leaned over and kissed him, and as he responded, began to undress him. His hands slid down her back as he hugged her to him. She broke away from the kiss, stood up, took him by the hands and said, “Let’s go upstairs where we’ll be more comfortable.”
She pulled Otto up and he followed her up the stairs. She lay on the bed on her back. He thought how alluring she looked and then she reached out and pulled him down on her.
***
Later, in the dark, Betty whispered, “Stay with me.”
“I really should be going.”
“Why won’t you stay?”
“People will talk.”
“Let them talk. I don’t care.”
“I have to think of your reputation, Betty.” Otto stood and started getting dressed.
“Well, if you must, but promise we’ll see each other tomorrow.”
“We will. I’ll be at the airport about nine.”
“I’ll be there.”
He leaned over and kissed her. “I love you, Betty.”
“And I love you, Otto.”
He crept down the dark staircase and made his way to the Ford, driving home with a thousand thoughts and a slight smile.
Chapter 44
War’s End—August, 1945
The beginning of August was hot in upper Wisconsin, except right by the lake, which always offered cooling breezes in the summer. Otto had tended to airport business all day, and when he pulled up into the driveway of the farmhouse, he was surprised that both Betty and Mata came running out to meet him.
“It’s over! It’s over!” they shouted, in such a frenzied fashion it was hard to tell what they were saying.
“What’s over?” he asked as they hopped around beside him.
“The war!” Mata shouted. “Japan has surrendered! The war is finally over!”
Otto felt his knees go weak and he was glad they were there to hold him up. Almost. They fell over in a heap right there in the driveway, laughing and crying all at once. When they had exhausted themselves, they lay there for a few moments and then got to their feet, dusting themselves and each other off.
“When did you hear the news?” asked Otto.
“It was just on right before you came in.” Betty told him. “Isn’t it glorious?”
“Let’s celebrate,” Mata cried. “Let’s go to town! I bet people are celebrating in the streets!”
And they were. As they drove up in Betty’s car, the streets were filled with enthusiastic townspeople dancing, kissing each other, hugging and drinking out of bottles. As they got out, men ran up and kissed and hugged Mata and Betty. Women Otto had never seen before came up to him, hugged him and kissed him. Otto had to admit that he enjoyed it, and most of all the thought that all the destruction and sacrifice were over. Now, after so many years and so many deaths and so many injuries like his, they could return to leading normal lives. He felt joyful to overflowing. Life was good in so many ways.
Chapter 45
Northwest Airlines—November, 1945
Mata came into the house from hanging clothes late one morning to find Otto studying several sheaves of paper. She recalled a thick envelope that came for him in the mail earlier that week with the imprint of Northwest Airlines on it. Otto had said something about trying for an airline job since the airport was in good shape. He had hired a manager, Jimmy Thomas, from town, who had been in the AAF in the Pacific. He had flown reconnaissance missions and shared Otto’s passion for airplanes.
“What are you doing, brother of mine?” she asked.
“I’ve decided to apply to be a pilot with Northwest Airlines. I think I’d make a good candidate with my war record and multi-engine time. So I have all these forms to fill out. Would you look over them to make sure I did everything correctly?”
“I’d be glad to.” Mata sat down at the table and looked over some of the forms. “Otto, you’re a shoo-in! Once you fill out the forms, what do you do?”
“The next step is to have an interview in Minneapolis. After that, I don’t know.”
“My brother, the airline pilot. That is so exciting!”
Otto labored over the forms and took them directly to the post office in town the next day so they would arrive sooner.
He waited impatiently for a return letter. It arrived ten days later. Mata greeted him at the door with it. “Otto! L
ook what came today!”
He ripped it open eagerly and read down the page. “I have an interview! Next Wednesday in Minneapolis with the chief pilot! This is great news! I have to tell Betty!”
“You know, brother, if we had a phone installed, you could call Betty. That is, unless you’d rather see her.”
Otto was already running for his truck. “News like this needs to be delivered in person,” he shouted. And he was off.
***
Betty’s excitement matched his. “Oh, Otto, that is so wonderful! Can I go with you?”
“I’m just going to fly over, have the interview and fly back. I’ll need to concentrate and frankly, Madame, you distract me.”
She rubbed his shoulders. “Oh, I can distract you all right…”
“Betty…” he started to say but then he said no more.
***
Otto checked the address again. Yes, that was right. Fourth floor of this building. He still found cities a little confusing and intimidating but he reminded himself that being in the city and having an interview was a whole lot easier than taking on German flak and fighters. He pushed open the revolving door and headed straight for the elevator. “Floor, please,” the operator said, looking at him longer than was necessary. “Four,” Otto said.
Mata had helped him pick out a new suit, and he thought he looked pretty good, considering. He thought about wearing his uniform but decided against it. Northwest would know all about his military record. The elevator doors opened and he saw the logo of the company on the opposite wall.
He went into the office and was greeted by a well-dressed receptionist behind a counter. She looked at him levelly, without blinking. “Good morning, sir. May I help you?”
Otto stood with his hat in his hand. “I’m Captain Kerchner, and I have an appointment with Captain Harrison.”
The receptionist smiled. “Please have a seat. I’ll tell him you’re here.”
Otto sat on a sofa that he judged was leather-covered. Pictures of Northwest aircraft adorned the walls. He looked at them, especially noting the newest model. It would be great to fly one of those. It would also be nice to fly without people shooting at him.
