Rose of Anzio - Remembrance (Volume 4): a WWII Epic Love Story

by Alexa Kang

  The crowds on the streets hushed as the voice of the Prime Minister came over the loudspeaker.

  Yesterday morning at 2:41 a.m. at General Eisenhower's headquarters, General Jodl, the representative of the German High Command, and Grand Admiral Doenitz, the designated head of the German State, signed the act of unconditional surrender of all German land, sea, and air forces in Europe to the Allied Expeditionary Force, and simultaneously to the Soviet High Command...

  Today, this agreement will be ratified and confirmed at Berlin...

  Hostilities will end officially at one minute after midnight tonight, but in the interests of saving lives, the "Cease fire" began yesterday to be sounded all along the front, and our dear Channel Islands are also to be freed to-day…

  The German war is therefore at an end…

  Long live the cause of freedom. God save the King.

  Cheers erupted and continued as the Prime Minister led the members of the House outside. Sounds of whistles and applause followed them as they marched in a procession to a victory thanksgiving service.

  Joining the masses outside Buckingham Palace, Tessa and Anthony waited. People around them were breaking out into spontaneous celebratory dances. Intoxicated from hours of drinking that had begun the night before, they sang in drunken excitement, and fell and tripped over each other.

  "Have you ever seen anything like this in London?" Anthony asked Tessa.

  "No," she said. "I've never seen this many people out on the streets, ever."

  The royal family made their appearance on the palace balcony. King George and Queen Elizabeth, flanked by the two princesses, waved to the crowd. Their people cheered, waving the Union Jack and holding up their fingers in the shape of a "V" in a sign of victory. When the royal family retreated back inside, the crowd began to chant, "We want the King. We want the King."

  The royal family returned to the balcony, this time with Prime Minister Churchill.

  "The war's over, Tessa," Anthony said. "It's really over. We can begin our lives again."

  Yes. It was really over, and Anthony was still here, still alive. Tessa was thankful for that more than anything. "Let's go find Father and Mother."

  They pushed through the crowds to head to the West End, where members of Dean's theater troupe were gathering for a celebratory dinner. The entire city was jam packed with people, and they could hardly move through the crowds. An American military jeep passed by. Noting Anthony's uniform, a soldier leaned out of the vehicle and asked, "Captain, wanna ride?"

  "You bet," Anthony said. He climbed into the jeep and pulled Tessa up by hand. She got on and fell right on top of him. "Ah!" She laughed. "I'm sorry."

  "I'm not sorry." He pulled her into his arms and kissed her like never before. He wanted her to remember this day, to remember this kiss, for all their days ahead.

  XI

  Part Seven - Remembrance

  35

  The ship docked at the port of Manhattan at half past six. After days of being confined inside a vessel and tossed around by the ocean, Tessa could not wait to step onto stable ground again.

  The last time she had stepped onto American soil, all she wanted was to leave. She had wanted to go back to London so badly. How could she have known that five years later, she would want nothing except to return and call this country home?

  Soon, Anthony would be discharged. When he returned, they would all reunite and be together. The two of them, his parents, her parents, everyone.

  Her parents had wanted to come to America with her. They had decided it was time to rekindle old ties. And it was time. They had been away from their family in Chicago for far too long. The war was over and the seas were safe again. Uncle William, Uncle Leon, and Aunt Anna. They were eagerly waiting for her and her parents to arrive.

  Despite everyone's anticipation for a big reunion, Tessa had chosen to come back alone. She had decided to travel separately from her parents to America. She had something unresolved that she wanted to do. This was a trip she had to make by herself.

  The Brooklyn Bridge came into view as the ship approached land. While the ship docked, she kept her eyes on the awe-inspiring sight. This famous bridge was one of the places that Jesse had wanted her to see.

  We're here, Jesse. The summer wind blew past her on the deck as if answering her. We're going to go to every place where you wanted to take me.

  Tessa disembarked the ship and found her way into the streets. While she marveled at the worldly feel of the city, the cold, unyielding environment made her feel a bit sad. Everyone seemed to have someone more important to see, or someplace more important be. No one stopped for even a moment to give anyone else a second thought. Such was the place where Jesse had had to make his way in the world.

  She walked to the edge of the sidewalk and hailed a taxi. During the ride, she looked out the window. So many cars zooming down the streets, crisscrossing the lanes while they honked and cut each other off. Pedestrians dodged between moving vehicles, trying to get to the other side of the road. New York was definitely a place for daredevils.

  Jesse always took chances too. Risks never fazed him.

  The taxi arrived at a hotel in the Greenwich Village neighborhood where Jesse used to live. Tessa didn't know his address. There was no way for her to get inside even if she did know. That was all right. What mattered was that she was here.

  She wondered what happened to his home and the things he left behind. What had Jesse left behind, besides her own memories of him?

  She freshened up at her hotel room, then headed out again. Following the directions given by the concierge, she walked to the subway station. Soon, the streetlights came on. Night had fallen.

  Night. The hallmark of New York.

  Next stop, Times Square.

  Tessa went into the subway entrance down the steps to the platform of the underground train. It might only be her imagination, but the New York subway trains sounded much noisier than the London Tube or the Chicago Alley L. They carried loads of passengers, all hastening about and pushing their way through. The scene got even more bewildering when she arrived at the mid-Manhattan stop. The station was a shady underworld unto itself. Crowds of people came toward her or passed her, their faces guarded with no show of emotion. The only ones who appeared friendly were men and women whose eyes betrayed ulterior motives. Their affable pretense neither sincere nor genuine. As she walked toward the exit, a sleazy looking man brushed past her and mumbled to her words that she would rather not repeat. How was Jesse able to live in such a place without it polluting his soul?

  She followed the signs upstairs onto the street and came upon a spectacular scene beyond her wildest imagination. All around, everywhere, there were the lights. Gigantic billboards with lights shining in varying shades illuminated this famous landmark from every direction.

  Dazzling. Absolutely dazzling. Just like Jesse. He carried an aura so bright, it lit up every shaded corner. It overcame the darkness of the night. In a world full of deceit and malice, he remained pure at heart, untainted by the rottenness of the world around him.

  Standing in the midst of the blinding lights, Tessa could no longer control herself. Tears flooded her eyes and she began to sob. Passersby gave her odd and curious looks, but she could not stop. She cried for the loss of one whose future was so full of promise, none of which would now be fulfilled. She cried for a life that shone so brightly, but was brutally cut short.

  How much had to be lost for the sake of war? She stood in the middle of Times Square and cried.

  Will you miss me?

  Yes. Jesse. I miss you. Always.

  Tessa began the next day at the Fulton Fish Market. It was only mid-morning, but the day's activities were well under way. All of today's catch for sale was laid out on display. Whiffs of the salt and iron smell of fresh fish infused the air as she passed by each stall. Shrimp, prawns, crabs, oysters, and other shellfish filled the buckets and push carts like treasure troves from the bottom of the sea.
>
  You'll never see such an amazing variety of seafood in one place. How animated Jesse had looked when he told her all about this market.

  He was gone now. But here, life went on. Workers wheeled carts of seafood to trucks for transport to other places. Barrels upon barrels of fish were lined up on the streets, waiting to be taken to restaurants and other markets. The city hadn't stopped for Jesse. The city didn't remember him.

  With a solemn heart, Tessa turned away from the seafood stalls and walked on.

  From the marketplace, she went to the edge of the piers. Ships were entering the port, and smaller boats were sailing about. The water and everything on it was so calm. Nothing like how things were back in Anzio.

  When was the last time Jesse had come here? Did he stand at this same spot where she was standing now? If he did, what was he thinking about when he gazed out to the sea?

  Noon came, and the market's trading activities for the day were coming to an end. Tessa continued on to the Lower East Side, through the Jewish neighborhood on to Chinatown, then to Little Italy. Just as Jesse described, each area could be distinguished by the way the people dressed and the different ethnic foods they sold. She made her way further uptown. By the time she reached Washington Square Park, it was already past two o'clock.

  She stopped by a deli and bought a sandwich, then sat down on the steps of the large fountain behind the park's famous arch to eat. A shabbily dressed man in his fifties came to the bottom of the fountain about twenty feet in front of her. He laid his violin case on the ground and took out his instrument. At first, she ignored him. Not offended, he placed the violin between his chin and shoulder, and winked at her while he tested the tuning. He then glided the bow across the violin strings and began to play a song with tunes of gypsy music. The entire time, he smiled at her through his gray stubble, begging for her approval. Finally, she gave in and smiled back. His cheerful tunes soon drew a crowd.

  I live in a neighborhood called Greenwich Village. A lot of artists live there. Washington Square Park is two blocks away from my place. Folksingers and street musicians perform there. Sometimes I go sit in the park and listen to them.

  More and more people gathered around the fountain. Tessa peered at each of their faces. She knew it was impossible, yet she kept hoping she might see Jesse among them. She knew it wasn't real, but she could nonetheless feel his presence here with her.

  The man finished playing his song, and the street audience applauded. Some dropped pennies and nickels into his violin case. He bowed and began to play another song. The next piece of music seized Tessa's attention from its first wailing note.

  Tango Jalousie.

  She stared at the gypsy man. How did he know?

  But he didn't know. He wasn't even looking at her.

  Coincidence. It was only a coincidence.

  But this music. She closed her eyes and let the music take her back to the night when she and Jesse had danced together. At that moment, she realized, he was with her. He would always be with her. When the years had gone by, and the war had faded from everyone's thoughts, she would be the one to keep remembrance of him. As long as she held on to his memory, he would not be forgotten.

  On the third day, Tessa took extra time to get ready, making sure that she looked the best she could, just as if she had been on a real date with someone. Today was her last day in New York. She had saved for last the place where Jesse had most wanted to take her. The Empire State Building.

  Before entering, she stood on the sidewalk and looked up at the building's stunning exterior walls. A stretch of white cloud spread over the pinnacle of the skyscraper like the wings of an angel.

  Are you ready, Jesse? We're heading up. She drew a deep breath, her heart brimming with excitement she could barely contain.

  She thought she had come early, but other visitors who had come before her already formed a long line for the elevator to the observation deck. Summer tourists, school students, veterans passing through New York. On this beautiful summer day, all were eager to see the view of the city from this architectural wonder.

  A rush of elation swelled inside her as the elevator ascended to the 102nd floor. She stepped out, unsure of what she would see. This was the highest she had ever been in a building. She circled around the observatory terrace, taking in the sweeping view. The scenery was amazing. Here, she could see the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, the Chrysler Building, the Manhattan Bridge, and the East River. Everything was as incredible as Jesse had described.

  It's spectacular, Jesse.

  She stopped at a spot where she could see Washington Square Park, far downtown, and took her angel amulet out from her pocket. Holding it tightly against her heart, she gazed up into the sky. Wind blew all around her, and her scarf fluttered in the air.

  The sky was so close. She could almost reach out and find him.

  Can you feel it, Jesse? The gusty wind continued to blow. Can you feel it? We're soaring!

  She looked at the clouds and imagined herself riding the winds into the heavens, where she could see that Jesse was all right, and finally at peace.

  36

  Back in her room in the Ardleys' house in Chicago, Tessa opened the windows to let in the sunlight. The Ardleys had filled the outdoor swimming pool again for the summer. Any day now, Anthony would be back. And then, everything would return to the way it once was.

  No. She touched the rose pendant around her neck and thought of all that had happened since the day she first wore it. Some things would never be the same again.

  A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Tessa?" It was her mother. "Are you ready? All your friends are here."

  "Coming." Tessa came out of her room. While she was in New York, her parents had arrived in Chicago for a visit to America that was long overdue. Today, the Ardleys had organized a welcome-home party for her, and invited all her old friends. She took her mother by the arm. "I can't wait for you to meet everybody."

  "Likewise," Juliet said. "Your father and I will miss you when we leave, but I'm glad to know you are well settled here with friends and people who care about you."

  Downstairs, they followed the guests' chatter and laughter to the parlor.

  "Ruby!" Tessa saw her old best friend at once.

  "Tessa." Ruby turned around from the sofa and stood up. She looked more mature and feminine than Tessa remembered. Her green dress looked smart and stylish on her. Ruby must have designed it herself.

  "Long time no see." Henry came up to her. Tessa almost couldn't recognize him. He had grown taller. His body had filled out, and his clothes no longer hung on his body like an oversized garment bag. His bushy hair, now trimmed short, no longer covered his head like an unruly mop. He looked every bit a young gentleman.

  "Henry." She squeezed his arm, then turned her eyes to the rest of the room. "Where's your brother?"

  "Right here," Jack said from behind Henry. Except for his limp and his cane, he looked happy and well.

  Nadine and Laurent were there too. "We're so glad you're home." Nadine held up a bottle of champagne. "Look what we brought you. Laurent picked this out especially for you."

  "Nadine!" Tessa gave her a hug. "You shouldn't have."

  "Of course we should. You're home. We have to celebrate."

  Tessa accepted the gift. "Thank you."

  "Tessa," Jack said, "there's somebody I want you to meet." A pretty young woman with dark brown hair and a shy smile came forward next to him. "My wife, Lucy."

  "You're married?" Tessa put down the bottle of champagne. "Congratulations!" She held out her hand to Lucy, and noticed Lucy's waistline. Doubly surprised, she looked at Jack. Jack nodded with a huge smile.

  "You're going to be a father!" Tessa said, thrilled. "Jack! I'm so happy for you."

  "Lucy's Mr. Mason's daughter," Jack said. Mr. Mason was the head property manager at one of the Ardley's residential properties in Lincoln Park, where Anthony had helped Jack get a job when he had returned f
rom the war. "I'll have to thank Anthony when he comes back. I wouldn't have gotten my job working for Mr. Mason if it weren't for him, and without that job, I would've never met Lucy."

  "This is wonderful." Tessa took both Jack and Lucy by the hand. "You're still working for Mr. Mason as the assistant property manager then?"

  "He is," Lucy said, "but he's taking night classes now too." Her eyes were beaming with pride. "He's getting his college degree."

  Jack tapped his limp leg with his cane. "Some good came out of this after all. The GI Bill. I can go to college for free because of my service. I've always been good with machines and tools. I thought I'd give mechanical engineering a try." He glanced at Henry. "I never thought I would go to college."

  Henry shrunk away. "He's trying to get me to enlist."

  "The war's over," Jack said. "You won't even have to fight. All you have to do is enlist, and you can go to college too after you serve your time."

  Not convinced, Henry rolled his eyes and made a face.

  The parlor door opened. "Would you all please come into the dining room?" Sophia asked. "Lunch is ready."

  Everyone cheered at the mention of food. As they followed Sophia to the dining room, Ruby pulled Tessa to her side, "Tyler's coming to Chicago."

  "He is?" Tessa asked. "You've stayed in touch with him?"

  "He's been writing me since he returned from that awful Nazi ordeal you all went through. You're so brave, Tessa. All of you. I don't know what I would've done if I were in your place."

  Tessa thought of the Blade, Mathias, and his grandfather. "We did what we had to. We survived." She didn't know how she could ever explain to Ruby or anyone else at home what it was like in Anzio, in the Ardennes, or to be captured. She couldn't see how people at home could ever fully understand. "When's Tyler coming?"