That’s Mark, my son, when he was seventeen. He was adopted.”
“He looked so handsome,” Jessica said.
“And this was Ashley when she was fifteen. She was adopted, too.”
“And where is your husband?” Jessica asked.
“He passed away a few years ago,” Gayle said.
“How did you meet?”
“It’s a long story, but we met in Hawaii when I was a nurse there.”
“You used to be a nurse?”
“Yes, I worked at the Army Hospital in Honolulu during the Vietnam War.”
“So, your husband was a soldier?”
“No, he was an architect,” Gayle said. Jessica continued to flip through the photo album while Gayle went to the kitchen to refill her tea cup. Behind the last page of the album there appeared to be a second photo tucked behind the one actually showing. Jessica saw the edge of the hidden photo and her curiosity compelled her to pull it out for a look. It was a photo of a young couple at a Hawaiian luau. The imprint at the top of the photo read “Aloha Luau”.
“Is this you and your husband?” Jessica said. Gayle walked over to get a closer look, then suddenly blanched.
“Where did you get that?” Gayle said.
“It was tucked behind the last photo in this album,” Jessica said. “Is that you in the picture?” Gayle breathed a heavy sigh and sat down beside Jessica.
“Yes, that’s me,” she said.
“Well, who’s the guy?” Jessica said. “Whoever it was, you two look happy.”
“We were – we were deeply in love,” Gayle said.
“So, this is you and your husband?” Jessica said.
“I wish it was,” Gayle whispered.
“Why? What do you mean?”
“The man in that picture died,” Gayle said. “I loved him so much, I could never let go of this picture. It’s all that I have of him now – that, and his watch.” She showed Jessica the old watch face, now a decorative bobble at the end of a necklace she wore.
“Did he give it to you?”
“Yes. It was an engagement gift. I wore it for years. When my husband asked me about it, I told him my brother gave it to me as a gift – he was a pilot stationed in Germany during the war, so my husband didn’t think anything more about it. When the band wore out, I hung the watch face at the end of a necklace so he it would always rest near my heart.”
“What happened?” Jessica said. “You have to tell me.”
“It’s a long sad love story,” Gayle said.
“Aren’t they all?” Jessica said. “I could share a few of my romantic disasters, if you had the time.” She gave Gayle’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Please share it. The old wound might heal a bit if you shine a little light on it.” Gayle took a sip from her tea.
“We met on a beautiful May afternoon in 1971 in Honolulu,” Gayle began. “I was 24, fresh from Montana, in search of adventure.”
“I hear you – we’re kindred spirits,” Jessica said. “Now tell me about Mr. Right.”
“He was a Navy pilot on leave and I was a nurse just walking through the marketplace with my girlfriend.”
“It can’t get more romantic than that,” Jessica said.
“He was so handsome and charming, and funny and…”
“I totally get it. You found your soulmate,” Jessica said.
“Yes, exactly. He was my missing half.”
“When did you know?” Jessica said.
“I’m not going to say love at first sight, but something inside me rang like a tuning fork the minute we met. And it just never stopped ringing. We spent five days together – the best five days of my life. He opened his heart to me and I gave him mine,” Gayle said. “That picture of us was taken at a luau on one of our dates.” Jessica took another close look at the photo and studied the face of this dashing young pilot.
“He looks adorable,” Jessica said. “And you both look perfect together. So, what happened?”
“We decided to get married before his leave ended,” Gayle said. “Can you believe that? We must have been crazy.”
“No. I don’t think so,” Jessica said. “I think that’s the stuff of fairy tales and happily ever after. So, go on.”
“We had to get blood tests first – that was back in the day when you couldn’t get married without it. But before the results came back, he was called back to his ship for a bombing mission. He promised me it was routine, like a hundred bombing mission he’d flown before. He gave me his watch to keep as an engagement token, and promised to replace it with a ring when he returned.”
“No – no. Don’t tell me,” Jessica said. She saw Gayle’s eyes tear up, like so many hundreds of times whenever she let herself think about what might have been if only he had refused that mission.
“Yes, you can guess the rest,” Gayle said. “He was shot down over Cambodia. One of his squadron members saw him punch out, but his body was never recovered.”
“I can’t believe what you must have gone through,” Jessica said.
“He was classified ‘Missing In Action’, and they sent out search planes for a few months. I waited and prayed and hoped. After six months he was listed as ‘Presumed Dead’. I just wanted to die with him.”
“Of course, I would, too,” Jessica said.
“I just didn’t want to believe it - I just felt in my heart he was still alive, but my girlfriend and everyone else told me I had to let him go and get on with my life. They told me that after six months MIAs never return.”
“What did you do?”
“I was a wreck. I could barely function. Every wounded soldier that came through the hospital I checked to see if it might be him. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t breathe.”
“I am so sorry,” Jessica said.
“After a year my girlfriend begged me to start dating again. But the thought of it just made me sick.”
“So, how did you work through it?”
“The hospital hired an architectural firm out of North Carolina to add a wing, and the lead architect stayed in Honolulu to oversee the project. His name was Nathan Stoddard. He was a kind and gentle man who understood my grief and filled that void as best he could with kindness and patience. He asked me to marry him. All my friends said I’d be crazy not to. I knew I’d never find another love like my Navy pilot, so what would be the use in holding out? I accepted his proposal. We married and I moved back with him to North Carolina.”
“Did he treat you right?” Jessica said.
“I couldn’t ask for more,” Gayle said. I wasn’t able to have kids, so we adopted a boy and a girl and we had a good life.”
“How did you end up here?”
“Nathan passed away a few years ago, so I moved back to Bozeman to be near to my sister. But I’ve been having heart problems for several years, and a couple of near disasters. So, we all agreed it would be best if I moved here to be close to the Billings Hospital with a great cardiac unit that Bozeman doesn’t have.”
“That was a smart choice,” Jessica said.
“I’m actually feeling a bit tired. Would you mind if I took a nap?” Gayle said.
“Of course. I’ll leave you alone. I might check on you a little later,” Jessica said. “I think we both should take a break from our memories for a while, and give our hearts a rest.”
Jessica returned to the nursing station, where Elpie sat working out staffing schedules.
“Did you have a nice time with Gayle?” Elpie said.
“Yes. We had quite a conversation about men and life’s disappointments,” Jessica said.
“Sounds depressing,” Elpie said.
“Way beyond depressing – we’re talking Greek tragedy,” Jessica said.
“Really?” Elpie said.
“Just about the most romantic and heart-breaking tale I’ve ever heard,” Jessica said.
“Really? Because just this morning I listened to the most romantic story I’ve ever heard. Don’t know if Gayle’s story could t
op it. But what’d she say?” Elpie said.
“Well, that she was a nurse in Honolulu during the Vietnam War and fell in love with a dashing Navy pilot on leave, and they were going to get married. But his leave got cut short for a bombing mission he had to fly.” Elpie’s ears perked up.
“She said what?” Elpie said.
“Yeah, I’m telling you,” Jessica said.
“Did she say his name?”
“No. Only that he gave her his watch like a sort of engagement ring and promised he’d come back for her but never did. Did you know she still wears the face of that old watch on a chain around her neck?” Jessica said.
“No, can’t be,” Elpie muttered. “Did she say what happened to her pilot?”
“Yes, it was terrible. He was shot down over Cambodia and never made it back.”
“No way!” Elpie said.
“Yes! I told you it was terrible,” Jessica said.
“This is impossible. I mean, what are the odds?” Elpie said.
“Odds of what? What do you mean?” Jessica said. Elpie grabbed the phone and dialed.
“Hey, this is Elpie over at assisted living. Is Phil over there?… Put him on.” She cupped her hand over the receiver and turned to Jessica. “This could be the freakiest coincidence of the century, or the millennium!”
“What are you talking about?” Jessica said. Elpie got back on the phone.
“Phil! You’re never going to believe this—I mean, I don’t even believe it yet… No, no, no. I’m not going to tell you over the phone. I want to see the expression on your face… Just get yourself over here as fast as you can.” Then she hung up the phone.
Chapter 23
“What’s going on?” Jessica said.
“The romantic story I heard today was exactly the same as Gayle’s! Charlie Davis was telling us about his Vietnam flying days and how he fell in love with this girl named Diane while he was on leave in Hawaii, and he gave her his watch, but he never married her ‘cause he got shot down over Cambodia, and it took 18 months before he was rescued.”
“Oh, you’re not thinking that—” Jessica said.
“Yes, I am thinkin’ that! It sounds like those two are talking about each other,” Elpie said.
“But you just said that Charlie said her name was Diane,” Jessica said. Their conversation halted as Phil appeared.
“Elpie, this had better be good. I just left a perfectly good half-eaten donut,” Phil said.
“You are not going to believe this. You are gonna’ die and resurrect and then die again when you hear what I’m gonna’ tell you.”
“What?!”
“You remember Charlie’s long-lost love from Honolulu?”
“Yes…” Phil said. Elpie checked down the hallway to be sure nobody was listening.
“I think it’s Gayle,” Elpie said.
“Gayle who?” Phil said.
“Gayle Stoddard!” Elpie said.
“Our Gayle Stoddard?”
“Yes, I’m almost certain of it!”
“Gayle Stoddard? Right here? In Room 64?”
“That’s what I’m saying! Are you listening to the words comin’ outa’ my mouth?”
“But he said her name was Diane,” Phil said. Elpie turned to Jessica.
“Tell Phil what Gayle just told you,” Elpie said.
“She said the love of her life was a Navy pilot that she met in Hawaii back in ’71, but he was shot down over Cambodia and died,” Jessica said.
“She said he died?” Phil said.
“That’s what she was told – MIA Presumed Dead.” Jessica said.
“Did she tell you his name?” Phil said.
“No, but we can ask her now?” Jessica said.
“Now, just hold on a minute. When did she tell you all this?” Phil said.
“Just now, just a few minutes ago. She was telling me the story of her first love, how she fell in love with a Navy pilot while he was on leave in Honolulu, and they were going to get married, but he was called back for a bombing mission, and got shot down and died.”
“I don’t know what to think. This is too bizarre,” Phil said.
“Charlie’s lover was a nurse in Honolulu – Gayle was a nurse in Honolulu. He gave her a watch, and Gayle is wearing it today. Their stories match,” Elpie said.
“But their names don’t match,” Phil said. “Charlie said her name was Diane,” He turned to Elpie. “Why don’t you grab Gayle’s medical records.” Elpie pulled out a drawer and started digging.
“Here it is,” Elpie said, as she pulled out Gayle’s file. She skimmed through the pages. “Let’s see. Look! Mrs. Stoddard’s middle name is Gayle. Her first name –,” she paused and looked wide-eyed at Phil, “…is Diane.”
“No way!” Phil said. They all took a moment to let it all sink in. Then all three looked at each other.
“Oh, my God!” they all said in unison.
“I knew it! I knew it,” Elpie said.
“Charlie is leaving today. We can’t let him get away. We’ve got to do something,” Jessica said.
“Then tell him! Tell her!” Elpie said.
“Yeah, put them back together, the way nature intended,” Jessica said.
“No, wait. We’ve got to think about this,” Phil said. He began pacing. “There could be, ah, unforeseen ramifications.”
“What the what?” Elpie said.
“I mean, maybe it’s not our place to interfere,” Phil said.
“Are you crazy?” Elpie said.
“No, just listen. What if Charlie would like to see Gayle, but Gayle doesn’t want to see Charlie for some reason. That would be horrible. Charlie would feel abandoned for a second time by the same girl.”
“Are you smoking something? ‘Cause you sound about half a tick off of plumb right now,” Elpie said.
“No, I’m serious. And it could be even worse. What if Gayle doesn’t want to see Charlie because, after all, he totally broke her heart by flying on this mission instead of refusing to go. She might still hold some anger about that, especially if he suddenly shows up alive today,” Phil said.
“But he came back to find her as soon as he could, just to discover she went off and married somebody else,” Jessica said. “What a mess.”
“I say we put them back together and let them sort it out themselves,” Elpie said.
“But wait. Haven’t Charlie and Gayle been eating most of their meals in the dining room with everyone else? Don’t you think they would have seen each other by now?” Jessica said.
“Actually, no, because Charlie’s been in the rehab wing laid up with a messed up leg, and most of his meals have been brought to him. He’s been wheeled out to the bingo games a few times where he’s made some friends, but Gayle never plays. She prefers to read her books and tend to her plants. And besides, she was still in the hospital during the first couple of weeks he was here,” Phil said. “Where’s Charlie now?”
“Probably still in Stan’s room. I can go get him,” Elpie said.
“Hold on there, Cupid. I’m still working on a plan I hope won’t hurt or embarrass anyone or get our licenses revoked,” Phil said. “Okay, I think I’ve got it. Jessica, would you ask Mrs. Stoddard to come out here for a minute?”
“Sure,” Jessica said. She walked down to Gayle’s apartment and disappeared inside.
“What are you going to do?” Elpie said.
“We’re going to talk to Gayle first and find out how she feels about all this.”
“I can hardly wait to see the look on her face. Lord, this is just like a Hallmark movie!” Elpie said.
“Hopefully, she’ll want to meet Charlie, and then we’ll get him, and they can be reunited and, who knows, they could end up living happily ever after,” Phil said. Jessica and Gayle walked out of the apartment and joined Phil and Elpie at the nursing station.
“Mrs. Stoddard, hello,” Phil said.
“Hello, Mr. Branson. Hi, Elpie,” Gayle said. Phil cleared his throat.
“Fine. Did I forget to take my pills?” Gayle said.
“No, no. We just want to talk. Ask a few questions,” Phil said. Another awkward pause. “Uhm, Jessica tells us you’ve had quite a full life. You were sharing some of that with her a little bit ago.”
“Oh, yes… I was.” Gayle smiled apprehensively. “Just girl talk.”
“I had no idea you were a nurse in Honolulu during the Vietnam War,” Phil said.
“Well, that was another lifetime ago.”
“Is it true you fell in love with a Navy pilot back then?” Phil said.
“Yes, when I was very young.” Phil paused for a moment.
“I apologize if this sounds rude, but would you mind telling me what his name was?”
“The name of the pilot?”
“That’s right.”
“Well, okay. His name was Charlie Davis.” Jessica gasped and Phil gave Elpie a look of wide-eyed shock.
“Oh lord!” Elpie said, looking heavenward.
“What is this all about?” Gayle said.
“Mrs. Stoddard, Gayle. You may find this incredible, but we have a Navy veteran over in the rehab section by the name of Charlie Davis. He was admitted here when you were in the hospital. He’s only been here for a few weeks, and he’s going home today.” He paused to register her reaction. Gayle seemed not particularly impressed.
“Charlie Davis is a very common name,” she said.
“Yeah, well, this Charlie Davis looks to be about your age. He’s got a long-lost love by the name of Diane. Sound familiar?” Elpie said.
“Diane? He talked about Diane?” Gayle said.
“Yeah, he gave her his watch and planned to marry her, but got shot down over Cambodia,” Jessica said.
“He said you were both big Sinatra fans,” Elpie said.
“No, that can’t be. Are you teasing me? Because if you are, I don’t see the humor in it,” Gayle said.
“No, Gayle, we wouldn’t joke about this. Your story—it’s the same story Charlie Davis told Phil and Elpie this morning. Right down to the wristwatch,” Jessica said.
“No! How could we both be in the same retirement community?” Gayle said.
“Well, hell, girl, somebody wins the lottery every week, but what are the odds of that?” Elpie said.
The Sanctuary II: Lost and Found Page 15