Every Storm

by Lori Wick

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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. TheEvery Stormwas 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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  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.

  "Gefbelow!" .

  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 ironywas 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 thisIwants 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'reyrihr

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  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 nothin
g, 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 hadn**been I' Urgent, but she was weary of being weary and of the office/scabin as well.

  The bright red spot on the tissue, however, shocked all ^estiges of lethargy from her brain.

  "Oh, no," she whispered. "Please, no, Lord. Anything b*1* that."

  Not in all these weeks had she had a period. It wa^nt any

  wonder, considering the trauma she'd been through, buttQhave

  her body shift gears on this boat full of men had been the#^tiling

  on her mind.

  She tried to be calm, but long moments of panic fir ^ her. The very thought of telling anyone on board about lverneed caused her to flush painfully with embarrassment. She w^ going

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  to have to deal with this on her own, but she couldn't calm down enough to think straight for some time.

  Pacing a bit in the very small space-little more than turning in circles-she knew she couldn't stay in the bathroom forever.

  "Socks!" she said out loud, the thought coming from she knew not where. Scrambling to open the door and rushing back to the officer's cabin, she tore through her small cache of clothing and found a thick sock. She returned to the head, glad that no one had slipped in during her absence. She took care of things as best she could, and finally left the small room behind, willing her body to go easy on her but fearing that too much time had passed.

  She looked at her clothing again and found all the socks she could. There weren't many. Lorri began to pray for calm, even as she panicked more and told God she couldn't do it. Lionel had been beyond kind to her, but not in a million years could she tell that man the exact reason she needed more socks.

  "You must have been praying," Click teased the lieutenant a little.

  Rigg couldn't stop his smile. They were having engine trouble again but were also within an hour of a small island where they'd stopped before.

  "Find Quinn," he ordered, not feeling it necessary to tell his radio man that he had been praying; he prayed all the time.

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  As was becoming a pattern, Lorri found herself waking from yet another nap, this time to find the boat rocking gently, no throb of the engine. Trying to wipe the cobs from her brain, she stood and walked to the door and looked into the passage. All was very quiet. She slipped into the head long enough to see that things were still manageable. With a prayer of thanks, she exited back into the passage and stood thinking.

  She wasn't supposed to be topside without a life jacket, she remembered that much, but no one was about as she decidedto go up the stairs. Figuring they would have a life jacket for her when she got up there, she headed out into the sunlight.

  She was frozen with surprise to see that they had come to another island. There was no need to anchor out from shore, they were "parked" next to the beach, which held an impressive stretch of white sand.

  "Miss Archer." A sailor had approached from behind her.

  Lorri turned, a little startled.

  "I'm Jack. Lieutenant Riggs and some men have gone ashore. He said that I could escort you ashore if you wish.

  "Oh. Thank you."

  "Can you manage the ladder?"

  "Yes."

  She was on the beach a short minute later, looking arouBd at the trees and the sand. She turned and finally saw men working 'on the "boat. She assumed the others were patrolling to see if the island was safe.

  She watched the men work for a time, taking note of thefact ; that the sailor assigned to her was staying close by but not speak*ing. Lorri thought about walking up the beach and was about to

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  do so when she saw Rigg heading from the trees and coming her way. She waited for him to approach.

  "How are you?" he asked.

  "I'm fine. Are we broken?"

  "A little. It shouldn't take long to fix."

  Lorri nodded.

  "Stay close."

  Lorri was about to agree when her eyes caught sight of the PT boat's name. She'd not seen it before.

  "Every Storm?"she questioned before the lieutenant could move away. "WhyEvery Storm?"

  Rigg's mouth quirked a bit.

  "Because every storm in the Pacific finds this little boat. We seem to draw them like magnets."

  Lorri's eyes had grown a little with this statement, but Rigg did not take time to reassure her. Someone called his name, and he turned away to go toward the working men.

  Lorri began to walk slowly, hoping the sailor would stay put, but soon seeing that he was going to be on her heels. She felt bad about being a bother, but the thought did not have long to linger. As if waiting for her to be in a place of inconvenience, she suddenly felt as if the floodgates of her body opened wide. Without warning, she began to flow heavily. At the same moment, her eyes clapped onto the ocean. She moved that way, ignoring the man behind her.

  "Miss Archer," she heard Jack say.

  "I'm going to take a little swim," she said over her shoulder, not stopping or slowing in the least, barely even pausing as she kicked her shoes from her bare feet

  "I don't think that's such a good idea."

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  But Lorri was desperate. At the moment she'd forgotten that ; didn't want to be any trouble. She didn't consider how weak ; might be, or how taxing swimming could be on the body. Rightrshe was desperate to stop the flow, if only for a few minutes, jack could hardly believe his eyes. One moment she was walk; along the beach, the next she was in the ocean. He didn't go tafter her but stood on the beach and tried to reason with her. "I need you to come out, Miss Archer." "I'll just be a moment," she called to him, moving around a |itj and trying not to think about sharks. "I'd rather you came now."

  "All right," she agreed, but made no move for the shore. She |Vas already tired but willing to buy every moment she could |tnanage.

  "Miss Archer."

  The voice had changed. Lorri looked to see Rigg on the beach, l^fck headed back to the boat.

  "Hello, Lieutenant," Lorri called, able to see his anger from the Iwater.

  "I need you to come from the water," Rigg said, his tone meas-H^ired. "I need to speak with you."

  Lorri couldn't take her eyes from him. He was livid, and his Hanger propelled her from the sea. She found her footing and grudged out of the surf and up onto the sand, her clothes cling-H ktg frorn. neck to ankle. She tried to pull the wet shirt away from her shrunken chest but looked up to see that Rigg only had eyes for her face. Furious eyes.

  "What are you doing?" he asked. "I took a little swim." "Why?"

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  Lorri licked her lips, tasting salt and sea.

  "I'm waiting for an answer."

  "I just needed to swim for a moment."

  Rigg's brows rose to an amazing height, and he looked as if he was going to blast her with his anger. Lorri disarmed him by showing someanger of her own.

  "Are you married?" she snapped.

  Rigg actually started over the question.

  "No," he said quietly, his voice calming as he realized she had lost all reason.

  "Are any of your men married?" she said, her anger now fully showing in the lowering of her brows and the stubborn tilt of her chin.j

  "Several/'
/>
  "Well, maybe one of them can explain1it to you!"

  With that curt word of advice, she moved around the man in charge, picked up her shoes, and made for the boat. Not looking at any of the men she passed, she made for the ladder and took herself onboard.

  The men hadn't missed a thing, but not a word was spoken, especially when the lieutenant came behind her not five minutes later and followed her on board.

  Lorri came from the head where she had changed her clothes to find Rigg in the cabin. She was already ashamed of the way she'd acted, but he gave her no time to apologize.

  "Have a seat." He directed her to the desk chair, shutting the door as soon as she was inside.

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  Lorri did as she was told.

  "I don't have time for embarrassment and blushing, I just need to know right now what you're using to take care of your needs."

  Lorri couldn't look at him. He might command that she not blush, but it wasn't that simple.

  "Tell me now."

  His voice was all business but not unkind. Lorri didn't look at him to answer.

  "Socks."

  If Lorri had been looking at Rigg, she would have laughed. His mouth had opened a little, and for a moment he was surprised speechless. Lorri missed all of this. She heard him move just before he placed several pairs of socks in her lap.

  Surprise brought her eyes to his.

  "If you need more, tell me."

  Lorri just looked at him.

  "Do you understand?"

  Lorri managed a nod.

  Rigg exited without another word.

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  "What do you mean she stood up to the lieutenant? What did she say?"

  "I couldn't hear; they were down the beach. But she went swimming and he got mad. It looked as though she put him in his place."

  "But you didn't hear it?"

  "No."

  "Did she sing again?"

  "Not that I've heard."

  The men were silent until the guy in the top bunk wanted more.

  "What'd she wear swimming?"

  "Her clothes."

  "Did you see her wet?"

  "Yep." The word was said with pride.

  "You dog."

  The occupant of the lower bunk was laughing softly when they were joined by two other men. Both men fell asleep happily but silently breaking the order not to think about their guest.