Every Storm

by Lori Wick

  "Come now." Lorri wasn't convinced. "It couldn't have been that bad."

  Rigg's look was telling, and Lorri only laughed tnore

  The two heard the front door at the same time. They looked up to see Ruth on the porch.

  "I've got iced tea if you're interested," she called to them.

  Lorri looked to Rigg, her brows raised in question.

  "Lead the way," he said, and Lorri couldn't help but notice that her heart was as light as a balloon.

  251

  "That was fiin," Max said at the end of the evening, Rigg having stayed for dinner.

  Lorri didn't answer. Staring at seemingly nothing, she stood mute in the middle of the living room. She didn't even notice when her family came in, took seats all around her, and just watched her.

  "What?" Lorri said, having finally noticed them.

  "That's what we want to know," Dean said.

  "I don't know what you mean."

  "Sit down, Raine," Max invited, patting the sofa.

  Lorri did sit by her sister and then looked back to Dean. Her eyes went to her mother, who was looking very satisfied, and then to Max, who was just barely holding a smile.

  "All right," Lorri gave in. "I think I might like him."

  That her family found this hysterical was all too apparent. They burst out laughing, leaving her to tolerate their mirth with a blushing face.

  "What is so funny?" she demanded, waiting for them to catch their breath.

  252

  "You are," Ruth told her. "You nearly floated around this house tonight. You even stepped on Muffin's tail, and-"

  Before Ruth could finish, Muffin came struggling into the room. She had captured one of Ruth's aprons and was dragging it in with her.

  "Stop that, Muffin!" Ruth scolded. "Now look at that," she continued, disgusted. "There's cat hair on it, arid I just finished the laundry."

  Muffin had come close to Lorri and Max, knowing she was safer by their legs. She was, in fact, a very nice cat, but her propensity to attack and drag things around sometimes got her into trouble.

  "We just wanted to know what you were thinking," Dean broke in, taking the conversation back to Lorri.

  "Well, I was actually wondering what you were thinking, Grandpa. You and Lieutenant Riggs talked on Sunday and then again in the backyard tonight, and I just wondered if you're getting to know him a bit"

  "Yes, I am. Sometimes we talk about the rescue, and he asks how you're doing with all of that. Other times we talk about his plans and things at the base."

  "Can you tell us whatyouthink of him, Dean?" Ruth asked.

  "I think he's a fine young man. He didn't come right out and ask if he could court Lorri, but he did ask how we were all doing with Josie's loss, and then his questions zeroed in on Lorri."

  "Well," Max declared suddenly, "I think Raine should marry him and be done with it."

  "Max," Lorri said patiently, "there's a bit more to this than good looks and kindness."

  "Well, you can see that there's more to the lieutenant than good looks and kindness, so you're all set."

  253

  253

  Lorri looked to her mother, who knew that Max was mostly teasing, but if the truth be told, they all liked Lieutenant Donovan Riggs very much.

  "Your turn, Lorri," she said gently. "How do you feel?"

  "I think he's very special. In my mind I can see glimpses of the boat. He put Lionel in charge of me, but he took care of me too. And there was nothing romantic about it. He was just doing his job. And then when he saw me that first time at school, he wasn't expecting it, but he was still kind." Lorri looked at her family. "I like him. I like him a lot."

  "Well, that's good," Dean declared, growing weary with the hour, "because I invited him to dinner again next Friday night."

  Lorri laughed, her mouth opening in amazement. Ruth's mouth was open too, but Max looked l^fce the cat who had just swallowed the canary.,

  "Don't forget," Max said as they all moved to go upstairs. "I was the first one to say that Raine shoi^d marry the man."

  Max dodged the sofa pillow that ffew at her, and everyone sought their beds.I

  Josephine Pearl Archer's twenty^seveijith birthday would have been on April 10,1946. Lorri took the day off from school, and Max stayed home as well. Dean did not go to the base, and Ruth had cleared her calendar.

  Everyone said that first year was the hardest, but Lorri knew that this day would always be hard. Josie had loved her birthday. She had loved presents and surprises and was always pleased with the smallest gesture.

  i

  254

  It was for this reason that Lorri picked flowers from the yard before going to the cemetery. She understood that Josie didn't need them, but they made her own heart feel better, and today she wanted that.

  The four of them did not linger at the grave site. The day was nice, very sunny, but it was too sad, and Ruth said she was tired of crying. Dean suggested a drive to the coast. Everyone liked this idea, and they made a day of it.

  Ruth was thankful for the distraction, but when the family arrived home, she found that Ken had written. She laid her things aside, sat at the kitchen table, and opened his letter.

  Dear Dean, Ruth, Lorri, and Max,

  How are you? You are in my thoughts this day since I know Josie must be on your minds. I am still not reconciled to never seeing her again, never making her my wife. I had never looked forward to anything more. I think that in time my heart will heal, but I don't know if I will ever love again. What I felt for Josie was not common. I do not expect anyone to ever compare.

  I'm settled at Washington, having signed for another four years, I was not going to do this but now ftndtnyself rescued by the routine and familiarity. We have a country to rebuild, and I take that seriously. When I am in California, I will stop to see you. Until then, I hold you fondly in my heart.

  Ken

  Ruth folded the letter and held it. For a moment she let herself think about what it would have looked like to have Josie alive. She would likely have been married to Ken by now, living in a home

  255

  255

  of their own. It might not have been in southern California, but it certainly would have been closer than Australia.

  But that was as far as Ruth could take it. Josie wasn't there. She and Ken would not marry, and Ken was, for the most part, out of their lives. Much as Ruth wanted to concoct another image, she couldn't do it.

  Dean came into the room and saw Ruth at the table. He sat with her, and she handed him the letter, which he read in silence. Dean had not shed a tear all day, but Ruth saw him reach for his handkerchief.

  "Dean," Ruth said at last, "can we cement those plans for the fall? Can we put it on the calendar and go to Minnesota?"

  "We can do that, Ruth.";:

  "I want to see my father before it's toJ late."

  "We'll do that, honey. You pick the days, and we'll go."

  They looked at each other for a moment.

  "I never pictured her gone," Ruth admitted. "I had to bury my mother, and I thought the girls would all bury me."

  Dean didn't have any words to offer. He wanted to make everything right for her, but he couldn't. They both remembered this day so many years ago. They both recalled the tiny girl born to parents who couldn't wait to hold her.

  "I'd better work on dinner." Ruth began to rise, at the moment looking older than her age.

  "I think we can just pick through the icebox and eat leftovers," Dean suggested; they had already eaten lunch out. "Well just tell the girls they'll have to fend for themselves."

  Ruth agreed, and it ended up being the perfect plan. Max was not hungry at all, and Lorri wanted very little. The four of them ended up gathering around the radio to listen to evening news

  256

  and then a comedy show that made them laugh for a while. No one argued when Dean said they should make it an early night.

  "Janice is expecting again," Cora told
Ruth at Bible study. "They called just last night."

  "Oh, Cora, that's wonderful. How is she feeling?"

  "Good-better than last time."

  "How are you doing?"

  "I've cried a lot, but they've been good tears. I don't know why Janice lost the first baby, but I let it get my attention; Ruth. I've had an unthankful, complaining spirit about a lot of things. It was good for me to be reminded of my heart's condition."

  Ruth hugged her friend. "You're so good for me, Cora."

  "That's what I think of you."

  "What do you mean?"

  "I mean, you've never once complained, Ruth. All these months, and you've accepted what God has for you. There isn't another woman in this church I love or admire more."

  Ruth smiled at her. So often she felt weak and unable to go on. Did she tell Cora how frail she could be?

  "What are you thinking?" Cora asked.

  "Why is it that when someone compliments us, all we can do is remember our mistakes?"

  "I don't know. Were you thinking of mistakes?"

  Ruth nodded.

  "Well, don't do that. Tell me how Lorri is doing withthe dream-boat,as Arlene puts it."

  "Is that what she calls him?"

  257

  257

  "Yes. She's got names picked out for their children and knows what color their house should be."

  Ruth loved this. "Has Arlene considered writing romances? She might be very good."

  It was time for Bible study to begin. The women needed to compose themselves, and it was no easy task. Each time they thought of Arlene, they wanted to laugh all over again.

  "I thought of another question," Lorrisaid to Rigg as he worked over the grill. Dean was running late, and Ruth had put him to work.

  "Okay, shoot."

  "Were you angry at me when I met those other sailors on the beach?"

  "Angry at you? Not at all, but I could have strung each one of them up." Rigg flipped a burger and flipped it back. "Did you think I was angry at you?"

  "I didn't know what to think. It was all so strange and unsettling."

  "Strange and unsettling is too kind. It was foolhardy and ridiculous. Had I been on the scene, it would have looked quite different."

  "Why is that?"

  "My rank," he said simply, and Lorri only nodded. She watched him work for a time.

  "Lieutenant?" she started.

  "Lieutenant," he repeated. "Lieutenant." He turned his head to really see her. "I do have a name you know."

  i

  258

  "Do you now?" LorrPasked, her voice light. She wanted to tease him.

  "Yes, ma'am. My family calls me Donovan, and everyone else calls me Rigg." He looked her in the eye. "Do you suppose you could try one of those?"

  "I'll think about it, sailor," she said, not able to hide her smile.

  Rigg's eyes narrowed as he watched her, thinking she had no idea how tempting she was to kiss.

  Lord's mind didn't go to kissing, but she was more aware of his interest than he realized. She picked up the meat platter and went inside to wash it off, fully aware that he watched her every move. Not until she was shutting the screen door did she let her eyes meet his, a full blown smile coming into view.

  Rigg stared down at the grill, not seeing hamburgers at all. He wanted to take this girl home and introduce her to his family. He wanted to see her or talk to her every day. He knew her family liked him, but he was still trying to read her.

  "Are they burning?" Max asked, having just come from inside.

  "I don't think so," Rigg said to cover, realizing he hadn't paid attention at all.

  "Flip that one," Max pointed and Rigg obeyed. "Ooh, just right."

  "It sounds to me like, you want to take over," Rigg challenged.

  "Not a chance."

  "Why is that?"

  "If they burn, you're in trouble, not me."

  "Thanks," he said sarcastically and got a smile much like Lorri's.

  "So tell me the name of your boyfriend," Rigg said, watching Max's face.

  "I swore off boys months ago."

  "Is that right?"

  259

  259

  "Yes, it's much easier."

  Rigg looked at her beautiful face, pulled-back hair, rolled-up jeans, and oversized shirt and said, "Something tells me the boys don't find it so easy."

  "Now you sound like Johnny."

  "Is he someone special?"

  "He wants to be, but it's all wrong."

  "What's all wrong?"

  "His family went to our church a long time ago, so I think hemightbea believer, but he doesn't take Christianity seriously, and there have been too many girls already."

  "You need to meet my brother, Mitch."

  "Why is that?"

  "He does take his Christianity seriously, and he's a gentleman."

  "Let me guess: He lives in Santa Rosa?"

  Her tone made Rigg laugh, and Dean chose that moment to join them.

  "How's it coming?'* he asked, giving Max a quick kiss and offering his hand to Rigg.

  "I think I want you to be the judge, sir," Rigg said, gladly surrendering the spatula, afraid he would ruin all the meat.

  "It looks good. Tell your mother, Max. We're almost there."

  Shortages on wheat meant there were no buns, but they feasted on plain hamburgers and salads, with ice cream for dessert. They ate at the dining room table, and there was no shortage of laughter.

  "I was hoping that Miss Archer would not find out why we were namedEvery Storm,"Rigg said at one point.

  "Why were you?" Max asked.

  "Because every storm that hit the Pacific landed on our boat."

  260

  Smiles met this announcement, so the lieutenant went on.

  "It was the night before we made port. A storm came in that tried to blow us out of the ocean. Up until that time, Miss Archer had done remarkably well, showing no signs of seasickness, but not this night.

  "I went to the cabin to check on her and she was ready to sell her soul. She promised not to go into the water or disappear again and even to give my bunk back to me if I would just put her off that rocking boat."

  Lorri groaned and everyone laughed.

  "Why did you go into the water?" Max asked.

  "Let's just say I had an urge to swim."

  "You didn't care for that, Lieutenant?" Ruth asked.

  "She gave me no warning," he said calmly. "My boat was in need of repair, and I had a rather frail female civilian on my hands. I came down the beach to find her in the water."

  "What did you do?" Max needed to know.

  "I asked her to come out, or rather, ordered her."

  "Your voice was less calm that day," Lorri took pleasure in reminding him.

  "So was yours " he shot right back, taking just as much delight.

  Lord's mouth opened. "I forgot that I argued with you."

  "Lorraine!" Her mother sounded mildly shocked.

  "I did, Mother" Lorri was still horrified with the memory. "I'd forgotten all about that.",

  "The men loved it," Rigg told them.

  "They did?" Lorri questioned, looking confused.

  "Oh, yes. It went all over the boat that you had stood up to me. They were ready to keep you as a mascot for the rest of the war.":

  261

  261

  Not until Rigg said this did he remember to look at the admiral. He was glad to see a smile in those wise, older eyes.

  "That," Rigg finished, "was before they learned you were an admiral's granddaughter."

  Dean had a good chuckle over this last bit of information. It was still a little hard for him to picture his Lorri on a PT boat, but it delivered her back safely, and that was all that mattered.

  "Were you ever assigned to a PT boat, Grandpa?" Max wanted to know.

  "Transported on them," Dean replied, and then regaled them with some stories about his own ocean adventures. Some of his tales made Rigg's adventures see
m tame.

  "How was your week?" Lorri asked Rigg as they worked on the dishes later that evening.

  "It was fine-busy, but I like that. How about yours?"

  " Josie's birthday was Wednesday," Lorri said, the event still very much on her mind.

  "Was that hard?".

  "Yes, but then I knew it would be. The hardest part was thinking about my mother. Josie and I had been together in the past years; Mother and Josie hadn't."

  "I wish I had known your sister," Rigg said, carefully drying a plate.

  "Look at Max if you want to see her. She wasn't as talkative or inquisitive, but now that Max is older, they could have been twins."

  i

  262

  The kitchen was silent for a time, but then Rigg plunged in, heart pounding, hoping it wasn't too soon.

  "I was thinking it might be fun to go to dinner some night. Do you think you might be free next Saturday?"

  "I think so," Lorri told him, feeling breathless with surprise and excitement.

  "Do you want to let me know?"

  Lorri nodded. "I'll check with Mother to make sure she doesn't have plans."

  Before they knew it, the dishes were done. Lorri couldn't remember it ever going so fast. Max was waiting for them in the family room and wanted to play a game. Lorri and Rigg agreed but should have known better. Max won three games in a row. For some reason, Lorri and Rigg found concentration a little bit taxing.

  Rigg felt he was making progress. This Sunday when he sat with the Archers, Dean moved down the pew a ways, and Max came to sit by him. Lorri was still on the other side of her mother, but she was slightly closer. What he didn't bank on was Max's curiosity.

  "So were you born in Santa Rosa or in southern California?" she asked.

  "Santa Rosa."

  "Were your brothers born there?"

  "Yes."

  His short answers didn't give her much encouragement, but Max was not easily put off.

  263

  263

  "Do you hope to live in southern California for a long time?"

  Rigg couldn't stop a smile.

  "I hope so. Where do you hope to live?"

  "Right here," Max said simply, and then opened her mouth to have another go.

  Rigg's shoulders shook with silent laughter as the music leader stepped behind the pulpit and Max was forced to close her mouth.

  "I'm not done with you" she whispered, fighting a smile.

  "Thanks for the warning."