by Marilyn Turk
The scent of cigarette smoke wafted through the car. It had to be coming from the men in the back. Thank God, Russell had given up the habit when he learned she didn’t like it. Last night at the dance, the ballroom had been full of smoke. She hated the way the odor permeated her clothes and her hair and hoped her quick bath this morning had removed the smell. It wouldn’t do to have that odor on her nurse’s uniform when she entered the hospital. She would barely have time to change into it when she returned to the dorm since uniforms weren’t allowed to be worn outside the hospital grounds.
She glanced over her shoulder at the other passengers. A bespectacled older lady bent over her knitting, while a few other men in suits sat reading their newspapers. A cloud of smoke encircled the head of the jittery man from the depot, and she realized the other two men hadn’t sat with them. Wonder why all four men didn’t sit together? Perhaps they were getting off at different stops. Before she turned back around, the man who had helped her onto the steps caught her gaze and nodded, the slightest glimmer of a smile on his face.
She spun around, embarrassed to have been caught staring again. He was a nice-looking man, but she hoped he didn’t get the wrong idea. Lexie had found the man she wanted to marry, someday. She hoped he still wanted to marry her too.
Chapter Two
Russell yawned and spread his arms across the bed. As his eyes adjusted to the daylight, he surveyed his surroundings. Nice place.
Hard to believe this little house used to be where they kept horse carriages. The room showed the good taste of the Maurice sisters with its furnishings of plush fabric and intricate details—Lexie called it French Provincial. Although it only had one bedroom, a sitting room, kitchenette, and bath, the little cottage was big enough for him, and he’d be quite happy to stay there. Yeah, sure. If he didn’t have to work for a living. His current home was in the hotel where he worked, in one of the plain rooms set aside for employees. Of course, his was slightly better than the rest of the staff since he was, after all, a manager, which meant he had his own private bathroom instead of sharing the hall bath.
Russell glanced at the clock on the bedside table. What a treat to sleep in for a change. Too bad Lexie couldn’t have stayed another day too. The Maurice sisters put her up in one of the guest bedrooms in the main house, but maybe someday, when they finally tied the knot, he and Lexie could both stay here in this cozy little cottage. He surveyed the room again, wondering if she would be content to live in such a little place. What a comfy home it would be for just the two of them. He shook his head. You must still be dreaming, pal.
Already eight thirty. She might be at the hospital by now.
Russell swung his legs over the side of the comfortable bed and rubbed his eyes. He sure did miss spending time with Lexie. In fact, he was almost jealous of the patients who got to see her more often than he did. Nowadays, she was so busy they barely had a chance to get together anymore. Sure, he was busy, too, what with the hotel and the piano gigs. He thought back to last night and how cute she looked with her full skirt and white satin blouse, wearing her pearls as usual and a red ribbon tied around her blonde curls. She’d stood by the piano, her hand tapping the top to the rhythm as she scanned the crowd. When he motioned for her to sit next to him, she complied, keeping her foot moving to the tune. He knew she wanted to dance, but she politely refused the army guys who came over and asked, even when Russell motioned for her to go ahead. Poor fellas walked away looking so disappointed. Even when some begged her to dance, she shook her head more determinedly, smiling sweetly when she said, “No.”
She was his gal, and she wanted those guys to know it. Thank God the two of them had been able to squeeze in a couple of dances together. Holding her close while they swayed to the music reminded him of the first time they danced back on Jekyll Island. Just the memory of her in his arms, the scent of her hair … wow, his pulse sped up just thinking about it. Back then, he’d never have believed she would be his fiancée. And now she really was, but somehow, they hadn’t gotten around to setting a date for the wedding. Who had time? Someday they’d tie the knot. Maybe when she finished her nurse’s training and he finished … what? Most everyone was focused on the war and what they could do to help.
Lots of folks had sacrificed something for the war effort. All he did was play at the USO. Big sacrifice—just giving up a few hours’ sleep each week. He glanced at his deformed foot, the one that had been ruined by an errant bullet in a hunting accident and now made him unfit for military service. What else could he do for the war effort besides play the piano?
Russell stood and stretched. He needed coffee. First, he better get presentable before showing up at the main house. He stumbled to the bathroom and splashed water on his face, then staring at his scruffy reflection in the mirror, asked, “What does a girl like Lexie see in a guy like you?”
He shook his head, still not able to answer the question. After he shaved and finished with his toiletries, he put on some clean trousers and a casual, short-sleeved shirt before stepping outside.
A crisp wind blew off the ocean, forcing the morning mist to lift. The sun tried to assert itself into the scene, piercing through with daggers of light that bounced off the waves below, insisting that summer was indeed coming to Long Island. Pausing a moment, he listened to the ocean with its breakers keeping their rhythm, a sound he never tired of. They had their own music, God’s music, he’d always thought. He was grateful the Maurice sisters kept their privet hedge trimmed, so the view was not covered up, unlike many of their neighbors. He always wondered why anyone would want a place on the water if they couldn’t see it. But maybe other folks were content with an upstairs view, as protecting their privacy was even more important to them.
Russell turned and crossed the stone terrace between the carriage house and the main house. As he neared the sun parlor, he saw the sisters sitting inside, and they waved him over.
The smell of fresh coffee greeted him when he entered the French doors into the bright space, its rattan furniture with overstuffed floral cushions adding gaiety to the comfortable sitting room.
“Good morning, Russell,” Peg and Marian, the gray-haired sisters, chorused.
“Good morning, ladies.”
Peg relaxed on a chaise near the coffee table and motioned to the refreshments on it. A silver coffee pot and tea pitcher were surrounded by dainty cups and saucers. Nearby was a platter full of pastries.
“Help yourself to the coffee and rolls. Or if you’d prefer, Jane can make you a full breakfast. Would you like some eggs?”
“No, thank you. This looks delicious and quite enough for now.” Russell poured himself a cup of black coffee and selected two of the pastries.
“Sit over here.” Peg motioned to a spot on the settee beside the coffee table. “Did you sleep well?”
“I sure did. The bed was extremely comfortable, and I fell right to sleep.”
“Good. You needed your rest after such a long day,” said Peg. “I wish Lexie could’ve stayed longer and rested more too. Seems like she’d get awfully tired of standing on her feet all the time.”
“I’m sure she doesn’t even think about being tired. She’s so absorbed by her work,” Russell said.
“She certainly is devoted to it,” said Marian, pouring herself some tea from the small silver pitcher.
Peg nodded. “I admire her for that. Lexie says there’s a shortage of nurses in our hospitals since so many have gone into the army and navy.”
Marian took a sip from her cup. “It’s too bad she couldn’t visit with us longer. But I’m glad she didn’t have to march in that huge patriotic parade. The paper said they expected over two million people in the city to watch it. I just can’t imagine being in a crowd of people that huge.”
Peg shook her head. “Nor I.” She nibbled on a Danish before placing it on the saucer beside her cup, then lifted her teacup and said, “Have you two made any wedding plans yet?”
Russell sighed. “I’m afr
aid we haven’t. Just never seem to get a chance to discuss them.”
“Do you know where you’ll have it? In East Hampton, perhaps?” Marian asked.
“Maybe so, if that’s what Lexie wants.” Russell studied his coffee before looking up. “Do you recommend a church around here?” No doubt they would.
“We like the Presbyterian Church here in town. It would make a lovely location for a wedding.” Peg looked over at her sister who gave a nod in agreement. “The original church was established by the Puritans in the 1600s. Isn’t that interesting? Of course, the present building is only a hundred years old.”
“Only? Well, maybe I’ll take a look at it this weekend.” Russell took a swig of coffee. “I know Lexie wants something simple, though. She doesn’t want some big, fancy wedding.”
Neither did he. Besides, who would pay for it?
“No one is having a big wedding these days. Extravagance is frowned upon during wartime. The government says if you have enough money for a big wedding, you can buy more war bonds,” Marian said.
Peg pointed to the newspaper lying on the table. “Speaking of money, looks like we can expect a visit from the East Hampton USO fundraisers. They’ll be going house to house looking for donations. The township has a quota of $6,000 to raise.”
“They’ll do more than that to get the money,” Marian said, picking up the copy of The East Hampton Star. “The Devon Yacht Club is going to have a benefit dinner-dance too.”
“May I see that?” Russell reached for the paper. “Wonder if they’ll need a piano player?”
“I’ll call Mr. Simons, the manager, and ask him,” Marian said. “The club won’t open for the season for two more weeks, but he’s over there now, working to get it ready.”
“Thanks. I’ll make sure I can get the time off.” He scanned the headlines, then laid the paper on the table.
Peg refilled her teacup, took the tongs, and dropped a couple of sugar cubes in the beverage. “I read there’s going to be a softball game between a team from the coast guard and one from the Maidstone Club to raise money too. That should be fun to watch, don’t you think, sister?”
Marian clasped her hands. “Oh yes, I do want to go see it. Russell, do you play softball?”
Glancing down at his bum foot, Russell said, “Not much anymore, I’m afraid. I’m not a very good runner.”
Marian’s face turned beet red. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I forgot about your foot.”
Russell smiled and shook his head. “Please don’t worry about embarrassing me. I used to be a pretty nice player before the accident. I wouldn’t be very good at softball now, but I’m a decent golfer.”
“Do you have time for a game of golf this weekend? Perhaps we can call George Champion and see if he can round up a foursome.”
“Sister, I’m not sure the golf course is open now. The Maidstone hasn’t had their official opening for the season yet either,” Peg said.
“Well, pooh. I believe you’re correct. Seems like everything will open the weekend of June 27th.” Marian turned to Russell. “Perhaps another time this summer?”
“We’ll see. Thanks for the offer, anyway.” Russell drained his cup. “I’m pretty rusty right now, though.” He stood and imitated a golf swing with his arms. “Need to practice my swing.”
“Russell, did you and Lexie have an opportunity to dance any last night, or did you have to play all evening?” Peg asked.
“We got to dance a few songs when only the horns played, and the piano wasn’t needed. He released a sigh. “She could’ve danced all night if she’d wanted to. Those army guys kept asking, but she refused.”
“Well, who wouldn’t want to dance with such a pretty girl?” Marian said. “But I can see why she didn’t want to give any of them the wrong idea. She’s very loyal to you.”
That was nice to hear. Not that he’d ever doubt Lexie’s loyalty, but he was still amazed that it was him who she gave that loyalty to.
Peg spoke up. “I hear the military is adding more men at Camp Hero. Montauk Point will soon be full of soldiers.”
“We can be assured we’re safe from enemy invasion here.” Marian nodded. “We’re not vulnerable like we were on Jekyll.”
“Quite right,” said Russell. “We’ve gone from practically having no military there to having an abundance here on Long Island. The Nazis wouldn’t dare come close to us.”
Peg grew pensive. “I wonder how many of those boys at Camp Hero on the Point will be shipped overseas?”
The question had crossed Russell’s mind too. “Probably most of them at some point, since that’s where the fighting is.”
“The Star lists all the local boys who have joined up. It’s quite a list for this area,” said Marian. “And so many are right out of high school.” She tsked. “So young to be fighting a war.”
Peg’s head jerked up. “Russell, do you think Lexie might want to be an army or navy nurse? Oh, I do hope not.”
“She hasn’t mentioned it. Many of our wounded are sent back here from hospitals overseas. She can help them here just as well.”
Anxiety quickened his pulse. Would she consider joining the military? He really wasn’t sure. And if she did, what would he do? Keep his boring hotel job and play the piano in New York while everyone else was going across the ocean to serve the country?
He needed to find a better way to show his support, something he could be proud of. Something Lexie would be proud of as well.
Chapter Three
Lexie exited the train and climbed the steep steps to the main lobby of Penn Station. The cavernous waiting room was bustling with more people than usual for a Saturday. No doubt they’d come to watch the big parade and were eager to gain their spots along its route. Daylight filtered through the grand palladium windows and overhead skylights as Lexie hurried across the glass-tiled floor, her tapping heels echoing off the pink granite walls.
A glance at one of the station clocks that was suspended at each end of the room confirmed her timing. Not a second to spare to get back to the nurses’ dormitory and change her clothes. As usual, people clustered below the clocks, popular meeting spots for travelers. Victory flags hung from the ceiling, encouragement for the men in tan uniforms and navy crackerjacks that were scattered throughout the room. Some of the soldiers chatted with women, probably girlfriends or wives, before their departing trains arrived. A bittersweet sensation touched her heart as she considered the fate of those couples. Would they see each other again? Would these men return wounded, even to the very hospital where she worked?
At least she knew Russell wouldn’t be one of them, even though he sometimes made comments wishing he were. His damaged foot assured he wouldn’t be drafted, but he was like most men, wanting to serve their country, especially single men. And Russell was still single, despite their plans to marry.
Lexie passed by the huge granite columns and joined the throngs of people who bumped and jostled their way through the arched east exit onto the sidewalk. The beep of car horns and rumble of busses greeted her outside where more men in uniform waited, some sitting on their suitcases while others stood by their leather duffel bags. Many puffed on cigarettes, sending up smoke signals as they stared resolutely at the traffic that rolled past or stopped to pick up passengers.
As she approached, a bus pulled away from the stop spewing foul-smelling exhaust. Lexie covered her nose to keep from breathing it in, then turned to a man standing nearby.
“Do you know which bus that was?”
He nodded. “Number 16 bus, miss.”
“Thank you.”
Her bus. Now what? Should she wait for the next bus or walk the twelve blocks to the hospital? In an effort to cut back on gasoline usage for the war effort, the city had reduced the number of bus routes. She checked her watch. No, she couldn’t afford to waste time waiting for the next bus going her direction. She’d better walk, but fast. After such a long train ride, the exercise would do her good anyway and refresh her for the lon
g day ahead. She crossed the street and headed down the sidewalk as the city woke up. Merchants raised their blinds and flipped the signs on their doors to “open” as she strode past.
Approaching the corner of 6th Avenue and 32nd Street, Lexie looked up at the nineteen-story Hotel Martinique where Russell worked. Although it would have been nice to have his company, she was glad for his sake that he’d stayed back in East Hampton. Lexie stepped off the curb to cross the street then recognized some men walking toward the hotel ahead of her. Two of the men were the ones who’d shared the train ride with her, the men from the Amagansett Station. But she didn’t recognize the third man, a thin-haired, portly man. He must’ve joined them since their arrival at Penn Station.
She crossed the street, glancing over at the group again, still curious about the language they’d spoken. As she watched them, the blond man looked back and nodded. The other two turned her direction, then back to him, and said something. Her face heated. Why did he always catch her looking at him? Did he think she was interested in him, or even following him? How embarrassing when it was just a stupid coincidence. She wanted to explain, but that would be ridiculous. She gripped the handle of her overnight case, blew out a breath, and hurried on ahead until she’d passed the building. At least she wouldn’t run into them again.
Karl Mueller’s gaze followed the pretty blonde crossing the street. Who wouldn’t? She was a very lovely young lady, especially with her curls bouncing as she walked. How amusing that they had traveled the entire distance together. A smile crossed his face seeing her blush and quicken her step when they made eye contact. Wonder where she was going?
“Karl!” Oscar barked, biting down on the cigar stuck in his mouth. “What are you doing? You have no time for women!”
