by Lori Wick
"But you'll be glad to, know," Max launched in immediately, "that I've sworn off boys for good."
Lorri chuckled. Looking into her sister's beautiful face, she knew that resolution would last only a day.
Max told her the reason, explaining that boys her age were just too immature and that she was going to wait for five years at least. Lorri wanted to hear it all. She wanted to take in every word, but Max lost her before she could get to the good part.
^Dean found Ruth in the family room that sat off of the kitchen;at the back of the house. She stood in front of the patio doors,h'her eyes on the cement patio and yard beyond.
"I'm sorry, Ruth" Dean said as he |oined her at the window. Pm sorry I couldn't warn you."
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"Where has she been, Dean? Is she ill? Am I going to lc too?"
"No, she's not sick. She's been on an island without 1 food."
Ruth turned her head, looking nauseous at the That then frightened at the next thought to enter her mind. .Ji
"Did Josie starve to death?"
"No, she and the pilot died on impact."
The word "impact" jolted Ruth again. She took Dean'siled him to the sofa.
"Dean, I need you to tell me everything."
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Dean Archer owned a dog he named Buddy. He had1bought as a puppy and adored from the moment the famirfi him. The girls had been asking for a dog, and Dean and ] finally relented. Dean had had only two conditions: The dog 1 be a golden retriever, and it must be a male.
I live with four women. My dog will be a male!
The girls had teased him over this declaration for we
What no one had foreseen was the way Buddy would 1 Maxine Archer, 11 years old at the time.
Buddy started each night at Dean's bedside, but before 1 ing he would move to Max's room and be there when she av He waited for the moment she came home from school,; he was in the house, rarely left her side. Any word or gesture! her was life and breath to the beautiful, sweet-tempered dog.,
And so it wasn't very surprising that when Lorri dropped < to sleep on the living room sofa, Max went to the garage door
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. She went directly back to the floor by the sofa,i siclose at hand, and stared into her older sister's g^Hnember the face she used to know.
i years younger and certainly more filled out the i_d seen her. This version-older and thinner- lg used to. Max knew it was still her sister inside, > ^nissing the changes. She hoped she hadn't stared Lorri had fallen asleep, "thout warning. Max didn't want to cry anymore. y-~ ached, but there was no help for it. Turning so her sister, she buried her face in Buddy's side |lC3st child.
>:ne. Completely disoriented and fuzzy with sleep, jjnnent to realize where she was. A smile lit her face familiar green drapes and carpet. It was just as it; not a thing had changed. ' Ruth said as she peeked around the corner and |ijxe room.
he asked after she'd bent to kiss her.
jswered as she pushed slowly into a sitting posi-
;
another pressing matter first." If smiled as she came off the sofa and headed for room under the stairs. Ruth went back to her
on in the kitchen, knowing Lorri would join her. ping the potatoes when Lorri came in, her eyes ^detail.
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"You got new canisters." Lorri went toward the set of four white IIcontainers covered with every color of flower. She peeked in each
Uone and even stuck her finger in the sugar. In the past Ruth would
have shooed her away, but not today. Probably not ever again. IITrying not to stare at the changes in her daughter, Ruth began
to talk while she worked. Lorri sat on the stool that was tucked under the counter.
"Grandpa Stewart sent me a check for my birthday, and I IIpicked those out at Brennan's Department Store. It was between
ill
IIthe canisters and a new rug for the hall. The canisters won out."
"They're perfect in here. How is Grandpa Stewart, by the way?" "Doing well. He talked about visiting next summer, but I don't know if his legs are up to it."
Ruth was speaking of her father, who still lived in her home-I f !i Jtown of Coleman, Minnesota. They hadn't seen each other since
11 j]|the war broke out.
I [[[l1."I need to write to him," Lorri mentioned.
"''"He would enjoy that."
"What can I do to help?"
"It's all done. I'm just about to call Max and Dean." "Where are they?"
"Your grandfather had a phone call to make, and Max took Buddy outside."
"I haven't seen Buddy!" Lorri suddenly realized, and was off the stool and headed for the door.
Not caring that she now had three people to bring to the table, Ruth put the meal on and then rang the little dinner bell Josie had given her as a joke one Christmas. Joke or not, it did the trick. The family appeared, the girls crowding into the powder room to wash their hands and Dean taking a seat at the head of the table.
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Ruth had to reposition the table so the four of them could sit around it, pleased that it would stay that way for some time.
It was a surreal moment for all. Months had passed and turned into years. Lorri was back, but not Josie. The three sat for a moment waiting for Dean to bow his head, but when he did, he said nothing. Tears clogged the admiral's throat, and he couldn't swallow past them. Time passed and people sniffed in an effort to control themselves.
At last Dean managed four words. "Thank you, Father. Amen," he said in a hoarse whisper that freed the occupants of the table to look up and find others with swimming eyes.
"This won't do," Ruth said briskly, forcing herself to sit up a little straighten "Now, Dean, if you'll carve that bird, we'll have a hot meal."
"Yes, ma'am."
Bowls were passed, and all worked to stem their emotions. When Lorri had her first bite, she laughed softly.
"I think the men aboard theEvery Stormwould envy me now."
"What's theEvery Storm?"Max asked before she thought, but Lorri didn't seem to mind.
"The PT boat that rescued me."
I Max's eyes got huge, but she stopped herself from any more |,i questions. Lorri didn't seem to notice.
'fThis is delicious, Mother," Lorri said.
"Thank you, dear."
"What, Max," Lorri asked between bites, "no other questions?"
"Well," she answered, her voice quiet with distress, "I didn't [Want to ask anything I shouldn't."
Si Lorri put her fork down and looked at her family. They looked : at her, knowing they were all treading on new ground.
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"Have you all decided that I can't be questioned?" Lorri asked quietly.
"We didn't want to be insensitive," Ruth answered, and Lorri nodded.
"I do appreciate that, but you can ask me if you want to know something."
"All right," Ruth said.
The four went back to their meal, and surprisingly, Dean was the one to break the silence.
"Why don't you tell Max about the head on the PT boat?"
Lorri smiled. "You've never seen anything so small, Max. It made the powder room look like a dance hall."
"And was there only one?"
"No, there was also one for the crew."
"Where did you sleep?"
"In the officer's quarters."
"Where did they sleep-the officers?"
"Well, Lieutenant Riggs slept in there too, but Ensign West-land moved in with the crew. At least I think that's how it was. I was a little dazed during that time."
"You slept in with the lieutenant?" Max asked, her voice speaking volumes.
"He hung a blanket," Dean told her, his voice dry.
"Did he tell you about that?" Lorri asked Dean, su
rprise in her voice.
"Yes." His voice was still dry.
Ruth was quiet during all of this, certain that the details would be emerging over quite some time and trying not to think about having to tell Max the hard part.
Lorri spooned cranberry sauce onto her plate.
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"I didn't think you could even buy cranberry sauce at this time of the year," Dean commented.
"You spend so much time in the grocery store," Ruth teased him gently, smiling when he laughed.
No more questions came up at the table. Lorri couldn't eat all she'd put on her plate but didn't worry. As she helped with the dishes, she was already planning on a turkey sandwich before bed. And maybe a little more cranberry sauce.
Ruth heard the soft knock on her door not long after she'd H climbed into bed. She was still sitting against the headboard with her diary and told whoever it was to come in.
"Mother," Max whispered as she peeked inside. v. "Come in, Max"
Max slipped inside and sat on the edge of the bed. She looked at her mother, not wanting to do anything to make her cry but $o desperate for answers that she couldn't sleep.
"Did Grandpa talk to you? Did he tell you what happened while J) Raine was asleep?" "Yes."
"Can you tell me?"
"Yes, and it was not my plan to keep it from you, but I didn't Jiknow how. to go about it when Lorri was still awake." Max nodded and waited.
"I'm going to keep it brief, Max, for both our sakes," Ruth began, i'ltears already filling her eyes. "There was a storm, and the small i;p/lane they were in crashed on an island, not in the ocean like we 'talked about. Clarence Fuller and Josie were killed immediately.
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Lorri was on the island alone for six weeks before a PT boat stopped I'llfor repairs and found her." A shudder ran over Ruth's frame, but
IIshe made herself continue. "They took her to the base at Seaford,
IIand your grandpa was there. From there it took some time to
arrange passage home."
Max was silent. She had pictured the ocean and not realized the part about an island, but it made such sense:
"So Josie, I mean, her body, will just stay on the island?"
Ruth nodded, not able to speak. I"What island was it?"
"I'm not sure it even has a name."
Max looked confused, and Ruth waited.
"So did Lorri have to bury Josie and the pilot?"
Ruth could only nod.
I'llThe younger woman's face crumpled with grief and tears, and
Ruth reached for her daughter. Max sobbed against her mother's nightgown, certain that she had never known such pain. IFor long minutes they clung to each other, trying to weather
this new blast of grief and live to tell about it. Imagining all that Lorri had been through was dreadful, but the sudden thought of asking details of her was so abhorrent that neither one could even conceive of that.
"Here," Ruth handed Max a tissue, "blow your nose."
Max sat up, eyes red and puffy, and used the tissue. She took some long, shuddering breaths and realized her headache was back.
"I couldn't sleep," Max admitted. "I wanted to know, and I couldn't stop thinking about it."
"I know, honey. It's awful, and that's why I didn't want us to press Lorri to tell us."
"Does she know that we know?"
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"I'm not sure she's thought about it one way or the other. As you can tell, she's still not herself." Max nodded.
"Your grandfather told me that she's more filled out now than when he first saw her."
"She had a sandwich before she went to bed," Max reminded her mother, trying to be hopeful.
Ruth nodded. "She's home now. And we'll take care of her, and she'll be pur old Lorri again."
"The only thing missing is Jo."
Ruth internally Qinched at those words, but Max had always been open and honest with her feelings, and she never wanted her to be something she wasn't.
(l"Oh, Mother!" Max suddenly grabbed her hand. "Who's going to tell Ken?"
"Your grandfather."
, Not believing it possible to have more tears, Max cried again.
|, She didn't stay long in her mother's room as her headache became
worse and she longed for her bed, but every time she thought
about her sister's fiance", fresh tears threatened. Finally heading
I to her room, she climbed into bed and fell asleep with Ken
^Showers' face in her mind.
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Dean knew somepne was up and about Buddy's collar jingled
[| i'as his head came off the floor, and Dean heard footsteps in the
I hall. He waited for water to run in the bathroom but heard nothi Jing as he slipped from the bed and into his robe and slippers.
. IOnce in the upstairs hallway, a glow from the downstairs told
Ihim he'd been right. He headed that way, not bothering to be
1 joverly quiet so he wouldn't startle whoever was downstairs,
j J It was Ruth. She sat in the living room, curled onto a corner
Jof the sofa, her head buried in her arms. The light on the table
burned next to her, but the rest of the room was in darkness. Dean took the other end of the sofa and quietly waited. It didn't take long.
"I can't stand it, Dean." Her voice was thick with emotion. "My baby's last memory of her sister is having to bury her. I can't stand it."
Dean was silent as she cried. He had already been forced to digest this fact, but it wasn't much easier for him to accept.
"Not only is Josie gone, but Lorri had to bury her. The thought of it pains me until I don't think I can breathe."
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She had looked up at him, and Dean just let her talk. "You buried a son and a spouse, Dean. And now I've done both. I grieved for Tom-you know how much I miss him-but losing Josie is different."
"It is different." Dean's voice was low and sad. "Losing my Maxine was unbelievably painful, but losing Tom was like losing a part of myself. I don't know if there's any other way to describe it."
"I think you must be right. A corner of my heart is constantly on Josie, but now that I have details, Lorri's in that painful corner as well. When I picture her digging in the dirt..."
She couldn't go on, and Dean wasn't sure that she should. For some time neither one spoke. Ruth would cry and then containtherself. Dean sat in his quiet agony. Eventually he began to pray. "Dear Father, I thank you for bringing Lorri back to us. Thank |,JYou that she's home safe. Help us to endure this pain, Lord. Jo is ith You, and that should bring us great joy, but right now we Blare lodged in our pain. Please don't let us lose sight of You and pour plans for each of us. Please help us. For Your sake and in Pour Son's name, amen."
"Thank you, Dean," Ruth whispered. "It will come, Ruth. I promise you. Your grief will turn a corner, id the intensity will pass. God understands all about losing a Id. Just keep going back to Him."
Ruth could only nod because the tears were starting again, in came close and gave her a hug before leaving her on her . He knew there was little he could do. To some extent, all of em would have to walk this path with God alone.
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"She sleeps a lot," Max said to her mother at lunchtime the next day.
"Yes, she does."
"Is she really all right?"
"Yes, she was checked by a doctor at the base in Australia. There's also a huge time change to deal with, and it's simply going to take some time to get back to normal."
Max wanted to ask how much time but knew that was being unreasonable. She knew it would never be quite the same again. The thought saddened her, so she tried to think about something else.
"Summer's going by fast," she said.
"Yes
, it is."
"I'm not going to want to go back to school."
"It's still more than three weeks away and your senior year." Her mother smiled at her. "You might have fun."
"That's what Arlene says." Max spoke of her closest friend.
"Did you talk to her this morning?"
"Yes, she called."
"Sounds like she was trying to cheer you up."
Max didn't want to tell her mother that she'd been crying again so she said nothing.
Ruth would have questioned her, but they heard Lorri on the stairs.
"Good morning," Lorri greeted.
"Good afternoon," her mother said in return.
Lorri groaned in self-derision. "My bed felt so good, Ijust kept rolling over and going back to sleep. Hey, Buddy," she added, bending to pet the dog who had come up to greet her.
"I've got lunch ready if you're hungry," Ruth said around a yawn.
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"You sound tired."
"I am," Ruth admitted, wanting to be honest.
Lorri looked at her mother. She didn't look tired except a little around the eyes. Lorri knew the fatigue was over her homecoming but didn't know how to offer help.
"Is there anything I can do?" she asked, her voice reflecting uncertainty.
Ruth went to her and spoke once her arms were around her.
"All the news is very new for us, Lorri. I don't believe my thoughts will keep me awake every night, but they did last night."
Lorri looked into her mother's face. She was the most beautiful woman Lorri had ever known. Her eyes reflected her caring and love, and Lorri was still trying to convince herself that she had finally made it home.
"Why don't you come and get me when that happens, and we can talk?" Lorri suggested.
"Right now you need your rest, but maybe sometime I will."
Lorri nodded, knowing it had to be her mother's decision but realizing for the first time that childhood had completely fallen away. She had departed for Australia a woman, certainly, but this was different. If she'd been forced to put it into words, she probably would have failed, but in her heart she knew a great change had taken place.
At the moment she didn't know how she felt about that. There was no need to yearn for freedom-she'd never been held captive by her graifdfather or mother--but right now she felt like a contemporary to her mother and not a member of the next generation.
"Are you all right?" Ruth asked, having watched an odd expression chance across Lorri's face.