To Earth and Back

by William Boardman

  Meanwhile, Major Stewart slipped into the pilot’s seat with an excited Pete to his right. Raul joined them, taking the jump seat just aft.

  Pete’s eyes were wide open, gazing at the instruments and watching Major Stewart’s every move.

  Working through his checklist, Major Stewart reached forward; pressed and held a starter switch.

  Pete shot a glance out the copilot’s window as the outboard engine fired and came to life.

  # # # Five Minutes Later > > >

  Seated below, in the bombardier’s position, Adie peered out the Plexiglas windscreen as the Liberator bounced awkwardly along the pockmarked taxiway. After a brief stop at the end of the runway, the engines revved, and the bomber surged forward. The rapid acceleration unnerved Adie, and she grappled for a handhold on a nearby bulkhead.

  Lieutenant Franklin leaned forward and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “It’s okay—everything’s fine. Just relax and enjoy the ride.”

  Up on the flight deck, Pete listened attentively to Raul’s translation as Major Stewart verbalized the take-off sequence. “Wheels up and locked...flaps coming up...turning right to one-seven-zero….” Clearly, the boy was having the time of his life.

  Meanwhile, Colonel Bogie was back near the radio compartment entertaining four other crewmen, telling of his friends and their incredible odyssey—the hardships faced, the lessons learned, and how they all pulled together to make it out alive.

  # # #

  CHAPTER 23

  “Col. Bogie’s squadron had prepared an elaborate reception,” Ari said, “but it was short-lived. The colonel had one priority—get Adie to the infirmary, which he did. Once she was settled, he took Raul and Pete to a hotel downtown, then drove out to pay a surprise visit on the DeWolfe sisters.”

  “I assume Adie was in the infirmary for a few days,” Merrick said.

  “She was—not that they found anything serious. I think it was more a matter of nutrition and rest.

  “Anyway, when the DeWolfe sisters learned of Raul and Pete, they asked the colonel to bring them out for dinner. That evening, Pete made quite the impression, as did Raul with his endless stories of life in the French resistance. In short, they never made it back to town. The vineyard house was quite large, and the sisters wanted to relieve the colonel of the hotel expenses, so they offered Raul, Pete, and later, Adie, free room and board.”

  “And what did Pete think of all this?”

  “Well, he was a little overwhelmed, not only with the DeWolfe sisters, but also with the bomber crew and all of the people he met at the airfield. It was as if he had been reborn.”

  “How about Raul and Adie? Didn’t Raul want to get back to his family?”

  “Actually, he and Adie decided to wait on until spring and try to catch a fishing boat to the Port of Gibraltar. By this time, Spain had become a haven for Jewish refugees. All Adie had to do was claim Spanish ancestry. To help, Raul offered to take her into his family until she was ready to be on her own...but I’m getting a little ahead of myself….

  “After spending a few nights in the infirmary, the doctor released Adie into the colonel’s care. Christmas was just a few days away—and the Christmas Eve Dining-Out, so he quietly took his driver and secretary aside, gave them some money, and asked them to take Adie downtown for a girls’ day out, including the hair salon, a few nice dresses, and an evening gown. They were to say nothing of the Dining-Out.

  “Later that day, Adie returned so altered, if not for the eye patch, Colonel Bogie wouldn’t have recognized her. And that evening, when he took her out to meet the DeWolfe sisters...well, they found her fascinating.

  “The colonel spent Christmas Eve at the vineyard. Just before dinner, he asked Adie if she would mind modeling her new evening gown for everyone. Then while she was upstairs changing, he stepped outside to warm up the car and returned with his garment bag. Here’s what happened.”

  > > >

  Having changed into his mess dress, Colonel Bogie remained out of sight until he heard the others respond to Adie’s grand entrance. Then he silently entered the room, eased up beside her, and took her arm.

  Startled, Adie turned, and with a look of total surprise, said, “My word, you look—”

  “Young lady,” he interrupted. “How would you like to accompany me to the Base Dining-Out this evening?”

  Adie’s cheeks flushed slightly as the colonel’s request sank in. “Oh my...oh my...I wouldn’t know the first thing—”

  “Now don’t give it a second thought. You will be attending as my honored guest and comrade in arms…. It’s just a social event—a chance to meet some new people. Besides, it’s a perfect opportunity to show off that stunning white gown. What do you say?”

  Adie looked around at all the smiling faces. “Oh, yes. I would love to.”

  The colonel smiled and gestured toward the door. “Then your chariot awaits.”

  While the others wished them a lovely evening, one of the DeWolfe sisters briskly left the room, reappearing moments later as they walked out the door. Moving up quickly behind Adie, she draped a mink stole across her shoulders. “Here, you’ll catch your death!”

  Adie looked down at the fur, astonished. “No, I couldn’t possibly—”

  “Nonsense,” the sister said, “I haven’t worn this thing since the last time I was in Paris. You take it, and wear it in good health. I insist.”

  Adie responded with a warm embrace. “Thank you. I’ll take good care of it.”

  “No bother, sweet one, just enjoy the evening.”

  # # #

  “During the half hour trip to the base,” said Ari, “the colonel gave Adie a thorough explanation of customs surrounding the Dining-Out and the rules of the mess. As usual, she absorbed every word.”

  Merrick scratched his head. “I could use a little enlightenment myself. I’ve never heard of a ‘Dining-Out’—a ‘mess’ either.”

  “Well, a Dining-Out is a formal social event. Unlike a Dining-In, which is for military members only, a Dining-Out includes civilian guests. The word ‘mess’ just refers to a place where military people eat.

  “Now these events traditionally involve a number of, quote, ‘rules of the mess.’ As such, those who attend are encouraged to publicly bring any infraction before the President of the mess. They typically do so in a humorous and lighthearted way, using flamboyant speech and exaggerated descriptions. If the transgressor is found guilty, the punishment is swift and consistent—a trip to the ‘Grog Bowl.’”

  “Good grief, that sounds revolting!”

  “Actually, I think that’s the idea,” Ari chuckled. “It seems to be a concoction of liquids and other ingredients mixed together and heavily laced with alcohol. I think the intent is to make it look as unappetizing as possible.

  “Beyond that, the evening includes formal and informal toasts, maybe a short motivational speech, and other activities to enhance camaraderie.”

  “Sounds like fun,” Merrick said.

  > > >

  The staff car rolled to a stop in front of the club. Two men stepped forward: one received the car keys from Colonel Bogie, and the other assisted Adie. The colonel joined her and offered his arm. As they approached the building, Adie glanced up at the improvised marquee. In an assortment of mismatched letters, it read, ‘Tonight: 459th BOMB GROUP Dining-Out.’

  Upon entering, they found a half dozen members of the senior staff gathered in the lobby. The room quickly fell silent, and Colonel Bogie made the introduction. “Gentlemen, it is my distinct pleasure to introduce Miss Adina Behr, resistance fighter and the young lady who saved my life.”

  The operations officer stepped forward. “I assure you, the pleasure is ours,” he said, taking Adie’s hand and giving it a pat. “I must say, that is one beautiful gown….”

  Following the introductions, Adie checked the fur with the attendant and took her place in the reception line beside Colonel Bogie. As attendees arrived and began filing past, Adie p
roved such an attraction that the line soon slowed to a crawl. Colonel Bogie stepped aside to speak with the adjutant. “Bob, let’s encourage folks to move along. We’ll have plenty of time to socialize during the evening.”

  The pace picked up, and once everyone had passed, Adie turned to enter the hall.

  “Not yet, sweetie,” the colonel said. “We have to be properly introduced.”

  The senior staff filed past and closed the door behind them.

  “Now take a deep breath,” the colonel said, “you’re among friends here. Certainly you must know that.”

  Adie took his arm and tried to calm her nerves.

  Moments later, the doors swung open, revealing a grand dining hall full of people and adorned in makeshift Christmas decorations. The master-at-arms made the announcement.

  “Ladies and gentlemen! The President of the Mess and his honored guest!”

  Everyone stood at attention and faced the entryway. The room was dead silent.

  “That’s our cue,” the colonel whispered.

  Adie followed his lead, walking gracefully across the floor to the head table where they remained standing for the posting of the colors and the chaplain’s invocation.

  Following the prayer, Colonel Bogie lifted the gavel and rapped the table one time, opening the mess. Adie took her seat to his right and surveyed the room. Mr. Vice, the young officer responsible for the conduct of the mess, sat at a small table just opposite them about twenty feet away. The grog bowl was to his right. To the left of the head table was the orchestra. Dining tables stood two rows deep along the left and right walls, leaving a large open area in the center of the room.

  A call came from Mr. Vice. “Ladies and Gentlemen; charge your glasses!”

  The colonel partially filled Adie’s glass. “Go easy on this, young lady,” he quietly instructed.

  Adie smiled. “It’s been a long time since—”

  “Exactly,” he reiterated.

  After the toasts, the colonel seated the mess and remained standing. He then offered a gracious welcome and began to introduce those at the head table, finally settling on Adie. “Perhaps, ladies and gentlemen, in the course of your life, someone has brought to your attention a particularly traumatic incident, an incident which would certainly have taken a life, were it not for the Good Lord’s intervention. Well, three months ago, I experienced just such an event, and if not for this young woman sitting next to me, I wouldn’t be here before you tonight. So ladies and gentlemen, raise your glasses and join me in a toast—to Miss Adina Behr—freedom fighter, medic, and my personal guardian angel.”

  The mess stood in unison with a rousing, “Hear! Hear!”

  By the time the applause faded, tears were streaming down Adie’s face.

  ———————

  Merrick broke his silence. “Well, for heaven’s sake! Finally! There is justice in this world.”

  Startled, Ari turned to his friend. “Yes, indeed—and fitting recognition for an extraordinary young woman.”

  “Hear! Hear!”

  ———————

  “Dinner is served!” Mr. Vice announced.

  Colonel Bogie leaned close to Adie, and said, “If I could have given you a medal, you’d be wearing it by now.” He passed her a handkerchief. “You all right?”

  Adie nodded, “It’s just...I haven’t felt like this since, well...before the war. It’s like the most wonderful dream.”

  “And you are the princess of the ball,” the colonel said, smiling. “Do you see that empty piano next to the orchestra?”

  “I do,” she said, understanding the hint.

  “Well, after dinner, when the formal part of the evening is over, we’ll dismiss for some entertainment and dancing. You don’t have to, but should the opportunity arise, I thought these folks would like to hear you play. I know it’s a lot of people, and you—”

  “I would love to.”

  The colonel smiled and slid his chair back. “Excuse me for a moment,” he said as he stood. “Mr. Vice, if you would...test the meal to ensure it is edible.”

  Mr. Vice sampled his dinner and announced his finding in an overly loud voice. “Mr. President, I find this meal fit for human consumption.”

  Adie laughed, covering her mouth. “How funny.”

  The waiters lifted trays full of food, and the orchestra began to play.

  # # # Five Minutes Later > > >

  To Adie’s far left and near the wall, a man rose from his chair. Then, elevating his voice above the din, he exclaimed, “Mr. Vice, permission to speak to the mess!”

  Mr. Vice perked up. “The mess recognizes Lt. Fielding.”

  The lieutenant took a deep breath. “I am profoundly grieved that I must bring to your attention a most-flagrant violation of the rules of the mess. It seems my colleagues Capt. Barns and Sgt. Taylor have ignored proper etiquette and have seen fit to bring alcoholic beverages into this august gathering.”

  Adie eyed Mr. Vice as he quickly concealed a glass under his table. The mess sergeant, who was waiting tables nearby, also caught the intended cover-up and began to work his way toward Mr. Vice.

  Now sitting erect, Mr. Vice proclaimed in a loud, indignant voice, “I am shocked...yes, shocked, that anyone would bring strong drink into the mess. This is indeed a most grievous act!”

  By this time, the mess sergeant had closed the distance between himself and Mr. Vice. “May I take that glass for you, sir?” he bellowed, subtly pointing under the table.

  Mr. Vice flushed red, and the mess exploded in laughter.

  Adie was laughing so hard that she couldn’t catch her breath.

  Colonel Bogie patted her softly on the back. “Easy now...remember you’re at the head table...grace, honor, dignity,” he said, chuckling. He rose and in a commanding voice addressed the mess. “Mr. Vice and members of the mess, it appears that many of our distinguished gathering have seen fit to overlook this rule on this festive occasion. Therefore, in the interest of avoiding a long line at the grog bowl, I am inclined to grant a general pardon for this infraction and caution everyone to refrain from such behavior in the future.” He struck the table with the gavel.

  A hearty “Hear, Hear,” resounded through the room.

  # # #

  “How embarrassing for that poor guy,” Merrick said, chuckling. “Even so, it sure was nice to see Adie laugh like that.”

  Ari nodded in agreement. “Now, when the formal part of the evening was over, Col. Bogie adjourned the mess and invited everyone to stay for entertainment and dancing.”

  Merrick slowly shook his head. “What a contrast for Adie, after all she had been through.”

  “No doubt, particularly in light of all the attention she received after dinner. I think she was on her feet the entire evening. The men kept cutting in. And when she wasn’t dancing, she was engaged in conversation with three or four people at a time. It was unrelenting, though you could tell she was enjoying herself. Later in the evening, she began to notice a man sitting alone on the other side of the room.”

  > > >

  Adie politely broke away from a small group and approached Colonel Bogie. Drawing him aside, she asked, “Who is that man over there? He seems so sad.”

  “Ah, Lt. Alderton,” the colonel answered. “His best friend’s plane went down yesterday; a rough thing to deal with on Christmas Eve, in my view.”

  “Do you think he would like to dance?”

  “Not sure, he’s kind of a shy one…. Funny, he’s not afraid to risk his life flying these missions but seems to have trouble asking a girl to dance.”

  “Well, maybe I can ask him, then?”

  “You bet. Just give me a moment,” the colonel said. He walked over to the microphone, waited for the song to end, and signaled the orchestra to break for a moment. “Ladies and gentlemen, I have granted a request that the next song be lady’s invitation only.” He turned to the orchestra. “Something long and slow, if you don’t mind.”

  With
the ending of the previous song, many were returning to their seats. Adie made her way across the floor toward the young lieutenant, now seated among friends. As the music began, he appeared to be lost in thought, running his finger around the rim of his wine glass.

  “Would you like to dance?” Adie asked.

  The soft voice shook him out of his daze. Assuming the request was for one of the others, he leaned back to give Adie a clearer view of the men across the table.

  “No, Greg,” one of the men said. “She asked you.”

  Lieutenant Alderton looked up at Adie with an expression somewhere between awe and disbelief. After a momentary hesitation, he stood to his feet. “Yes, Ma’am,” he said in a slow, southern drawl. “You do me a great honor.”

  “I assure you, the honor is mine,” Adie said, taking him by the hand and leading him onto the dance floor. Then, rather than keep him at arm’s length as she had with the others, she gently pulled him close.

  “Gosh, that scent you’re wearin’ is lovely.”

  “Thank you. It was my mother’s.”

  “You know, some of the men and I were talkin’ earlier,” the lieutenant explained. “They say you and the colonel walked clean across northern Italy. That’s quite some journey! So...where is your family?”

  “My mama and papa were killed by the Germans, and my two little brothers were sent away to a prison camp.”

  “My Lord, I am so sorry,” the lieutenant said. “Is that how you hurt your eye?”

  “Uh-huh, a German soldier hit me.”

  The lieutenant backed away slightly. “Why on Earth would anyone want to hurt someone like you?”

  Adie returned his gaze. “I’m Jewish,” she said, returning her head to his shoulder.

  “I don’t think they respect any faith,” the lieutenant said. “My best friend was Baptist, and they shot him out of the sky just yesterday.”

  After a brief silence, Adie said, “When I found out that my parents were killed, I grieved for days. At first, I was angry. I felt hatred for what they did. But Col. Bogie told me that as long as I held on to the bitterness, I would remain a captive of the German army and just as much a prisoner as I was in the ghetto.”

  “So what did you do?” the lieutenant asked. “I’m feelin’ the same way, and I don’t want to hate anybody.”

  “Well, as we were making our way across Italy, we stopped at a partisan camp. They had just captured some German soldiers. It was very difficult, but before we left, I went up to them and told them I was a Jew and what their comrades had done to my family—how they had hurt me. Then I forgave them; all of them.”