by Marilyn Turk
“Sure. Sounds good. A girl can get pretty thirsty singing.”
Harry waved the waitress over and ordered the drink for Gloria.
“It was a good show,” said Artie. “And of course, you were fabulous, as always.”
Gloria smiled, scanning the faces around the table. “Couldn’t do it without a great band, though.” She lifted the heavy glass of ale and chugged, her eyes wide in surprise.
“This stuff is warm,” she said.
“That’s the way they like it here,” said Harry. “Maybe it’s because the weather is cold so much.”
“Only one more night here, then we go to another base,” said Artie. “I believe the next one is in Northern Ireland.”
“I always did want to travel,” she said. “Just didn’t expect to be doing it during a war.”
“Yeah, me too,” said Louie. “Where are you from, Gloria? I mean, originally.”
“Iowa. I’m a long way from there now!”
The guys laughed with her, and Russell chuckled as well. Dressed as casually as she was, picturing her in Iowa was not difficult. She behaved much more natural and believable than when she had on her glamour-girl get-up. Was it all an act? His mind shifted to Lexie. She was always natural, even when dressed up. He loved the way she was the same sincere person to everyone and everywhere. He smiled, as memories of Lexie drifted through his thoughts. Funny how being around another beautiful woman made him appreciate Lexie even more. He checked his watch, noting the local time as 10:30. Was Lexie working tonight, or was she at the residence? It sure would be nice to hear her voice, but getting a call to the U.S. was difficult, and now wouldn’t be a good time to try anyway.
As Russell finished his shepherd’s pie, he eyed Gloria, who’d already consumed a pint of ale and had started on a second one. She giggled and joked, her voice becoming more slurred. If she didn’t stop soon, she’d feel pretty bad tomorrow, if not later tonight. He pushed away from the table, pulled out his wallet, and put some money down.
“Leaving so soon?” Nick asked.
“Sorry to break up the party, but I think I’ll head back.”
“Man, it’s early!” one of the band members called out.
“He’s not used to our hours, you know. He had regular hours before,” said Harry.
Russell smiled and nodded. He was indeed used to working different hours.
Artie stood and shook Russell’s hand. “Great job tonight, Russell. Go on and get some rest. We’ll try not to wake you when we get in.”
Russell doubted they would be quiet after a couple more hours drinking in the pub, but such were the disadvantages of sharing one room with a bunch of guys who were used to staying out late. Russell said good night to the guys and was about to leave when he was pressed to get Gloria out of there. Fresh air would do her good.
“Gloria, would you like me to walk you back to your barracks?”
Her eyes sparkled from the effects of the alcohol, and her smile widened. “Why sure, Piano-man. I’d love for you to walk me home.” She wiggled out of her seat and stood, swaying a bit before one of the guys reached up to steady her. Russell hoped she’d be able to walk all the way back. He would rather not carry her.
The other band members laughed and called out suggestive remarks, which Russell ignored. He waved goodbye and took her arm, but she turned and blew an exaggerated kiss to everyone in the room. He opened the door and gently pushed her out.
She was unsteady on her feet as they started walking, and she clung to Russell’s arm. After they’d walked a few yards, she gazed over at him and said, “Polio?” She motioned to his foot, the one that had rendered him unfit for military service. The one that was hurting right now, thanks to the chilly damp weather.
He shook his head. “Nope, hunting accident when I was a kid.”
“Oh, sorry. My dad had a limp like yours, and his was from polio.” She squeezed his arm. “Hey, I hope I didn’t embarrass you.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve lived with it a long time, so I’m used to it now.” But he preferred no one noticed. However, sometimes it was hard to disguise it.
“You’re a handsome guy, you know. The limp doesn’t bother me at all.”
So why did she mention it?
“You’re different, I mean, not just the limp, but the way you act. You’re not like the other guys.”
“An oddball, huh?”
“No, not different in a bad way,” she slurred. “You’re a good guy—I can tell. I’ve been around enough men to tell the difference.”
“So I guess that’s a compliment?” He didn’t mind being pigeonholed as a good guy. Unfortunately, there were plenty of men who didn’t fit that category. And she’d apparently known many of them.
“Sure. That’s why I like you.” She snuggled closer to his side like she was trying to get inside his jacket.
“I heard your boyfriend was Blake Johnson.” The movie star had been linked to several actors, to his knowledge. Russell hoped the mention would tear her focus away from himself.
Gloria waved her hand like she was shooing a bug away. “Blake is a dear friend, but we’re not … like that. I’m unattached, in case you’re interested.”
She clung to him tighter still when they stopped at the guard gate and showed their IDs. The serviceman on duty ogled Gloria before he let them pass, no doubt drawing an incorrect conclusion about their association.
“Where are your barracks? I’ll walk you to it.” His father taught him to be a gentleman, even though Gloria wasn’t behaving like a lady.
“Over there.” She smiled demurely, pointing down the road.
He nodded, then walked her to the building. When they reached it, she turned to face him and leaned into him, gazing into his eyes with lust in hers.
Russell placed his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her away. “Gloria, I’m flattered that you’re attracted to me. Any man would be. However, I have a fiancée, someone I love very much, and she’s the only woman for me.”
Gloria stepped back, her face turning crimson. “So that’s it. You’ve got a girl. Well, she’s a lucky one.” She waggled her finger at him. “You tell her she’s got a good man, and good men are hard to find.”
“Depends on where you look.”
A look of surprise crossed her face. “Yeah? Maybe you’re right.” She extended her hand. “Well, good night, Piano-man. Thanks for walking me back.”
“You’re welcome, Gloria. Hope you get a good night’s sleep.”
She responded by planting a kiss on his cheek. He sure hoped it didn’t leave a lipstick mark. That would be difficult to explain.
She wrestled with the door handle, so he reached out and opened it for her, shoving the door open and motioning for her to go inside. She took a step, turned, and gave a little wave before going in.
Russell breathed a sigh of relief. A man could easily be tempted by a woman so beautiful, even a “good” guy. But why did she throw herself at men? Why would someone with her looks feel like she had to work so hard to get attention? He shook his head. What a shame.
Thank God, he had a good woman waiting for him back home, and right now, he needed to write her a letter.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Lexie walked under the huge Victory banners hanging at Penn Station, eager to board the train to Long Island. A relaxing weekend was on her agenda with no responsibilities until she returned on Monday.
The thunderstorm last night had been brief, so she’d taken Penny up on her invitation to join the other girls for a movie. Scenes from This Above All flashed through her mind as she rode the train out of the city. Tyrone Power portrayed a British soldier who was a conscientious objector, but he’d fallen in love with a wealthy woman played by Joan Fontaine who had joined the WAAF, a British women’s auxiliary of the Royal Air Force. Lexie couldn’t help but compare her and Russell’s relationship to the onscreen couple. In the end, the hero changes his mind, but it might be too late, and the last scene is of t
he couple getting married in a hospital.
Of course, the other nurses had plenty to say about the last scene that ended with an air raid alarm going off as the screen went black. Lexie ached for the movie couple who had such a difficult time getting back together. But the ending had shocked them all. No one knew if the couple survived the attack. And the fact that the movie took place in Britain did little to comfort her. Even though the Nazi flyover bombardment had ended, occasional random air raids over London and other targets still happened. Would the military bases where Russell was going have a chance of being bombed? Her heart pricked with the possibility that he might be hurt.
When she arrived at the Amagansett station, Homer was there to meet her and take her back to the Maurice sisters’ summer cottage. The weather was lovely, and she hoped to spend some time at the beach. The sight of the cottage always made her smile with its gray wood-shingled exterior, its windows and wide front porch painted a contrasting white. Window boxes on the balconies were planted with cheerful red geraniums, so befitting the personalities of the sisters. Homer stopped the car on the driveway near the front door. Lexie walked toward the porch, while Homer retrieved her overnight suitcase from the car.
But as she reached for the front door, she heard Peg’s voice call from outside.
“Lexie! We’re back here!”
Lexie followed the sound of the sister’s voice to the backyard and halted when she found the two women. “What on earth are you two doing?”
Marian was kneeling on the ground, her straw sunbonnet covering her head while she poked her fingers in the dirt. Peg stood nearby leaning on a hoe. Both women wore men’s dungarees rolled up to mid-calf and casual shirts also rolled up to the elbows. Lexie gaped at the unusual sight of the two women in working-class clothes.
“Why, we’re making a Victory garden.” Peg beamed with satisfaction.
“But … why? Doesn’t the Maidstone Market have everything you need?”
Marian looked up from under her hat brim. “Most the time it does. But that’s not the important thing. We want to do our part for the country and supply our own needs—not take food away from the soldiers.”
Lexie doubted the sisters would ever eat enough to take food away from the military, but then everyone was being asked to do what they could.
“Would you like to help us, Lexie? If you don’t have gardening clothes, we have an extra pair of dungarees you can use,” said Peg.
How could she turn them down? If these women could get their hands dirty, so could she. “Sure. But you’ll have to tell me what to do. I’ve never done any gardening before.”
“We used to help our grandfather in his garden a long time ago, didn’t we, sister?” Marian nodded to Peg.
“Yes, we did. He was what they call a ‘gentlemen farmer.’ He enjoyed seeing things he planted grow.” Peg opened a seed packet.
“Like his investments.” Marian winked at Lexie.
“Sister! That’s a good one.” Peg chortled. “But I must agree with you. He did like to see everything grow.”
“So what are you planting?” Lexie asked.
“Tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, radishes, and carrots to start. Homer says he wants to plant some corn too. Good thing he’s helping us. He’s more experienced growing things than we are.” Peg pointed to various sections of the marked-off area.
“And Peg, don’t forget we’re planting squash and peppers too,” Marian added.
“Oh, yes, I forgot about those.”
The sisters’ enthusiasm was contagious. “Well, I look forward to your harvest. I’ll go inside and change. Be right out to help you.” This weekend might not be as relaxing as Lexie had expected, but it would be invigorating, no doubt.
After a couple of hours of hoeing and planting, the women stood back to assess their progress. The work had been exhilarating, not tiring as Lexie first thought. They had chatted about the war and its effects on the local area while they worked.
“I think that will do just fine!” said Peg, brushing her gloves together to shake off the dirt. She handed her hoe to Homer. “Thanks, Homer. You can put these things away now.”
“We did good work, didn’t we?” Marian nodded.
“We make a good team. Thanks for letting me join you. This was fun,” Lexie added, picking up the shovel and giving it to Homer.
“I’m hungry. Let’s get some lunch,” Peg said, then led the way inside. After washing up and changing clothes, they rejoined each other on the front porch for lunch.
As the women sat in an alcove created by one of the towers that flanked each side of the house, they were fanned by a light breeze off the ocean. Jane carried out a tray with plates of chicken salad finger sandwiches and cups of vichyssoise, while the women helped themselves to tea from the serving cart.
“Have you heard anything from Russell, Lexie?” Peg asked, helping herself to one of the sandwiches. A gust of wind blew across the lawn, tempting their linen napkins to fly away. Peg tucked hers between her knees for safekeeping.
Lexie shook her head. “No, not yet. He hasn’t been gone long enough for me to receive a letter. And it’s pretty difficult to make a phone call.”
“I’m sure you miss him.” Marian sipped some tea between bites. “And I’m sure he misses you too.”
“I do, and I miss being able to talk to him every day. Oh, I forgot to tell you. I have news.”
“Yes? Well, don’t keep us in suspense! What’s your news?” Marian leaned forward.
“If all goes well, I should be able to graduate in December!”
Peg clapped her hands. “December? How wonderful! I know Russell will be glad to hear the news.”
“I think so too. But I had to write a letter to tell him, and I don’t know how long it will take for him to get it.”
“Lexie, maybe you could get married in December!” Marian’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
“A Christmas wedding! Is that what you’re thinking, sister?” Peg clasped her hands.
“Wouldn’t it be wonderful?” Marian exclaimed, then glanced at Lexie. “Would you like that, Lexie? Do you think Russell would like a Christmas wedding?”
“I love the idea, and I bet Russell would too.”
Peg grew serious. “I hope he doesn’t stay overseas very long. I don’t like the idea of you being in the city by yourself.”
“Don’t worry, Peg. I’m seldom by myself. I’m usually surrounded by other nurses.” The sisters would be upset to know she went to the diner by herself, much less talked with strange men.
“Well, I’d feel much better if he were there to be your escort.”
So would she, but she was getting more confident about getting around without him.
“I hope he’s happy over there. We knew how unhappy he was about not being able to join up,” Marian said, looking at her sister.
“You did? He told you this?”
“Not in so many words, but we could tell he was frustrated. With the paper talking about all our boys in the service, he’s been feeling left out, kind of useless,” said Peg.
“I wish he didn’t feel that way.” Lexie sighed as she stirred her soup. “What he does with the USO is important.”
“We believe so too, but he doesn’t think it’s enough. After all, he’s not putting himself in any danger when he performs here in the States.” Marian lifted her teacup and took a sip.
Lexie looked up, eyes widened. “Do you think that’s why he went overseas? To put himself in danger?” And she thought he was safe there.
“No, I don’t think the USO goes places that are dangerous. Thank God, the Nazis’ bombing blitz of England is over. But maybe he did want to be closer to the action,” Peg said.
“I guess I never realized he was that unhappy being here. He’s always so upbeat, and he acted as though he liked his job at the hotel.” But Lexie remembered the conversation they’d had about pretending to be happy. Maybe she hadn’t paid enough attention to what he said.
; “Russell’s spent his life catering to other people. In his business, he has to be pleasant to people, even those that are difficult.” Marian pointed her spoon at Lexie.
Peg nodded as she cradled her teacup. “Oh, isn’t that the truth, sister? I can remember several times at Jekyll when he had to diffuse a club member. I’m afraid they could be very demanding, even unreasonable.”
“That’s right. Remember that time Sebastian Cromley got so fired up about a waiter that spilled soup all over him? As if it were the poor man’s fault for tripping over Cromley’s cane that was lying on the floor. Russell came to the poor waiter’s rescue and was able to calm Cromley down. But Cromley wanted the waiter fired to begin with. Russell never lost his patience, though, and smiled politely the whole time.” Marian chuckled. “That Cromley could be such a curmudgeon!”
Lexie smiled, picturing Russell in that situation. His positive attitude was one of the things she loved most about him, and it helped keep her own attitude in check.
“And you’d never know his foot bothers him,” Peg said. “He acts like it’s not an inconvenience, but I know it is.”
“Such a shame that had to happen to him, and so young too.” Marian shook her head.
Lexie’s heart pinched hearing about Russell’s foot. She knew it had kept him out of the military. “It made him 4F,” she said.
“But I’ve never heard him complain about it, have you, Peg?”
Peg shook her head. “Not a whit.”
“You know, Lexie, I think he wanted to make you proud of him,” Marian said.
Lexie drew back. “You do? But why do you think that?”
Marian set down her cup and faced Lexie. “Well, look at you. You’ve got a passion to help others, and you’re doing something about it by becoming a nurse. He doesn’t have anything like that. He’s just as passionate about serving his country, but he can’t serve the way he wants to.”
“But why impress me? He knows I love and respect him like he is.”
“Lexie, you’re a beautiful woman, and you could have your pick of many affluent young men. Russell’s not wealthy, so maybe he doesn’t feel like he deserves you,” Peg added.
