Love,
Frannie Girl
Fran posted her letter the next day and waited anxiously for a return letter to arrive. It came the following Monday.
Dear Frannie Girl,
I cannot begin to tell you how happy I was to receive your letter. My hands actually shook when I unsealed the envelope. I was afraid it might start with Dear John rather than Dear Jack.
I probably should apologize to you for calling while under the influence, especially since you’d made it abundantly clear by your absence of letters you did not wish to communicate further with me, but I won’t because it brought you back to me—a fact for which I am profoundly grateful.
I will apologize for not calling you right back, but there was a line a mile long of sailors waiting to use the phones. By the time I could get change and get anywhere near a phone again it would have been too late to call. Come morning after I sobered up, I thought it best to leave the ball in your court. I did not mean to pressure you.
Red and I spend more time with our feet in the air than on the ground, and I don’t think we’ll be issued any leave time in the near future—maybe when the holidays come. Hopefully, before we set sail, I’ll have an opportunity to see you again. Please keep writing.
Until then, know you are loved,
Jack
And so, it went through the rest of October and into November, Fran received a letter from Jack each week in which she in return responded. Thanksgiving came, but only a few guys received liberty. Red and Jack had drawn the short straws. Greatly disappointed, Amy and Fran sent care packages full of goodies.
Amy continued to write to her brother and Jack but grumbled that Jack’s letters remained brief and impersonal. Fran had no advice to give her. Her letters were anything but.
Two weeks before Christmas, Jack wrote:
Dear Frannie Girl,
Red and I have been given seventy-two hours of liberty for Christmas. As much as I would like to see my family again, with my father stationed out West, it’s too far to travel in the time I’ve been allotted. I have accepted Red’s invitation to share the holiday with his family. Although I am sorry to miss the opportunity to see mine, I’m secretly glad that I will be able to spend Christmas with you. It will be our first together.
The plans are to catch the train on Thursday, December 23rd in the late afternoon. I hope you will be at the station waiting.
It won’t be long now, darling.
Love and miss you,
Jack
Fran and Amy were ecstatic at the news, unfortunately for the same reason—Jack. Jack would be in Albion for a whole three days and Amy bubbled over with all the things she wanted to do to keep him busy and, in her sights, while Fran worried about Amy’s reaction when she learned about Jack and her.
Quietly, Fran made plans too, but kept them to herself. Mostly she thought of how she and Jack could find time to be alone and what to get him for Christmas. In the end, she settled on a cream cable-knit sweater that cost an arm and leg from Landaurs and a three-by-five, framed photo of herself. Those she’d give to him in private. For under the tree, she bought him a book in which she penned a brief note.
On Thursday, the day before Christmas Eve, everyone in the factory stopped work at four o’clock to share punch and cookies and to wish each other a Merry Christmas before being sent home early for the long holiday weekend.
After the party, Fran waited for Amy to come from the factory floor so they could leave together.
“God, I thought today would never end.” Amy tucked her arm through Fran’s as they left the building. Can you believe old Scrooge let us go a whole thirty minutes early? He’s so-o generous. I didn’t see a Christmas bonus in my check. Did you? He could have at least sprung for the refreshments for this afternoon. Instead, we had to bring our own.”
“You’re sure worked up. Be glad we got any time off at all. He could have made us work a half day tomorrow. With the guys coming tonight, that would really have stunk.”
“I know. I know. I just hate working in that old factory. I need to find me a man so I can get married and get out of there. And there’s a really handsome one coming in on tonight’s train.” She squeezed Fran’s arm. “Can you believe he’ll be staying at our house for three whole nights? Boy, oh boy, I can’t wait. I’ve hung mistletoe all over the house. I aim to get me a kiss or two.”
Fran frowned at her friend’s comments.
“We are going to meet the guys at the station, right?”
“I don’t know, Ames. They won’t be getting in until midnight.”
“What’s the big deal? It’s not like we don’t stay up late most weekends anyway.”
“I know. But I don’t want Red to think I came specifically for him.”
“He won’t. He knows Mom would never let me go so late by myself.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, no big deal.”
“Ok then. What time do you want me to be ready?”
“I’ll come by your house at eleven-thirty. That should give us plenty of time to get to the station and be there when the guys arrive.”
Fran cut across the lawn to her front porch. “I’ll see you later then.”
Amy scooted on down the street, a hop-spring in her step.
Fran’s heart felt heavy. She and Jack needed to sit Red and Amy down and tell them the truth. This was getting ridiculous. She had hoped by now Amy would have tired of Jack’s inattention and moved on to someone closer to home, but instead she’d dug her heels in and become more determined than ever on winning Jack over. The situation had become impossible. There was no way Amy and their friendship would not be hurt by what she was sure Amy would see as a deep betrayal. Was there any way to mitigate the damage? Should she admit the full truth or just a little? Hopefully Jack would have a tactful suggestion.
After dinner Fran attempted to nap but nervous energy made it impossible. Why she felt so on edge at the thought of Jack coming to visit, she didn’t know. He made it clear in his letters that he wanted to see her. It wasn’t as though it were the first time they were meeting. She supposed it had to do with the fact she hadn’t seen him in over two months. What if things were different this time? It could be awkward.
At eleven she dressed in warm black slacks and a red sweater she’d embroidered a wreath on. The weather had turned unusually cold and everyone was predicting snow for Christmas. She hoped so. The canal would freeze, and they would be able to ice-skate. She loved skating almost as much as she loved dancing and wondered if Jack knew how. If not, she’d teach him.
The wind packed a wallop as she and Amy cleared the front corner of the factory and headed up Main Street. A few snowflakes fell. The store fronts were all dark except for the lights on the movie theater’s marquee and the bar across the way.
A train arrived at the station just as the girls reached the platform. The cars appeared cram-packed, standing room only.
“Goodness, Fran, the cars are full. We may have trouble finding the boys.”
“Nah. It’s the holidays. People trying to get home for Christmas. I don’t imagine many are getting off here—probably headed for Lockport or Buffalo.”
They turned toward the rear of the train just in time to see two sailors with duffle bags thrown over their shoulders step down from the last car.
“Red. Jack.” Amy waved her arms. “Over here.” She grabbed Fran’s arm. “Come on, hurry.”
As the boy’s neared, Amy trotted forwarded to give first one then the other a hug.
Fran remained frozen on the spot her eyes feasting on the tall, dark-haired, uniformed man moving toward her. She rubbed her trembling hands down her sides and released her breath in a slow sigh. Jack.
Jack moved ahead of Red to reach her first, wrapping her in his ar
ms he gave her a hard hug. “I’m home,” he whispered in her hair. “God, I’ve missed you.”
Fran closed her eyes for a second and savored his words, then stepped back and away to give Red a hug.
“How’s my girl?” Red asked as he lifted her off her feet then set her down.
“Better than ever now that everyone’s going to be together for the holidays. They’re predicting snow so we should be able to get some skating and sledding in.”
Amy latched onto Jack’s arm leading him away. “Come on, you guys,” she said over her shoulder. “I’m freezing, let’s get home and have some hot cider.”
“Hard cider would be more the thing,” Red called. “Or better yet, a shot of whiskey.”
Once they reached the Lake’s house, Fran accepted a steaming cup of cider from Amy’s mom and took a seat at the kitchen table. Mrs. Lake had stayed up to greet the boys and was happily warming leftovers for them. Everyone sat around the table and talked a mile a minute, but Fran found it difficult to say much. Her eyes kept straying to Jack and she longed to reach out to touch him. Occasionally, his eyes would shift and meet hers, and she felt their warmth to the tip of her toes. His foot slid over to touch hers, and she began to shake inside. Time to leave. She couldn’t take much more of this. She wanted to be alone with Jack.
She excused herself after she finished her drink and made her way home in the lightly falling snow. Excitement filled the air, and Fran. For no matter the weather, she thoroughly expected Jack to show up at her window later.
She slipped into the house and eased the front door closed. Her mother left the shaded lamp in the hallway lit for her. Fran tiptoed up the stairs to her room and sat in the chair next to the window. She didn’t bother to turn on a light or draw down the shade. She just waited and watched for Jack.
She must have dozed for a few minutes because the sound of gravel hitting her window startled her. She jerked awake and jumped up to peer out the window.
Jack pointed to the back porch.
On tiptoes, Fran passed her mother’s room. Quietly, she let herself out the back door and stepped right into Jack’s arms. Oh, God, they felt good.
She clung to him as he held her locked in his embrace.
“Ah, Frannie Girl,” he murmured against her ear. “I thought I’d never get here. After two long months, I’d begun to think you were a figment of my imagination.” He kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose, and then her lips.
She understood what he meant, she’d felt the same way, but now breathing in his unique scent and feeling him pressed against her, he couldn’t be more real. The kiss at first was tender, but soon turned passionate. His firm lips molded against hers, then opened to allow their tongues to duel. All conscious thought fled her brain as pure feeling took over.
Finally, he let her go, but kept one arm around her waist. “I won’t stay but a few minutes. I don’t want you to catch a cold. I just needed some private time with you. I think we should tell Red and Amy about us. That way we can spend time together just the two of us without me having to sneak out all the time.”
“I agree.”
“You do?” Jack seemed surprised.
“Yes. I feel so guilty.”
“Okay. You want me to tell Red and you, Amy? Or would you prefer we tell them together?”
“Together. When?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow it will be then. No, wait. Maybe that’s not a good idea. It’s Christmas Eve. I don’t want to ruin Amy’s holiday. She’s been anxiously awaiting your visit.”
“Well, when then? Saturday’s Christmas Day, I’m not sure that’s the best time either. After which I’ve only one day left.”
She sighed and rested her forehead against his. “Maybe Christmas night after everything’s over. Let’s play it by ear.”
Jack groaned. “If you say so, it’s your call. But the sooner the better, suits me.” He wrapped his arms around her, rubbing his hands up and down her back to keep her warm. “Give me another kiss, and then you need to get in out of the cold.”
His kiss curled her toes, and she felt anything but chilled.
“Go.” He turned her toward the door and gave her a pat on the backside. “I don’t want you sick.”
“Okay,” she grumbled. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“You can count on it.” He watched her step inside the screen door, then turned away, whistling as he went.
Chapter 12
Fran made it to Amy’s by ten o’clock the next morning and accepted the cup of tea Amy offered her. “Have you guys made any plans for today yet?”
“Since we got a lot of snow last night, Red thought it would be fun to take the toboggan out this afternoon. He and Jack left a couple of minutes ago to do some last-minute Christmas shopping. Said with work so demanding, they didn’t get a chance to get much done. Jack invited us to join them for lunch at Ray’s before we go sledding.”
“When?”
“Noon. Afterwards, we’ll come back and get the car.”
Fran could sense Amy’s suppressed excitement and finally gave in and said, “All right, spill it.”
“What?” Amy’s eyes opened wide as she grinned.
“You know. Whatever it is that’s got you ready to burst at the seams.”
Amy leaned closer to Fran. “I caught Jack under the mistletoe.”
Fran sucked in her breath. “No,” she managed to say.
“You wouldn’t believe how soft his lips are.”
Oh, yes, I would. “He kissed you?” Fran’s tone rose an octave.
“Well, yes, sort of. And you don’t need to sound so appalled by it. You’d think I laid one on him in the center of town or something.”
“What do you mean by sort of? Sort of, as in how?”
“I think I shocked him. He didn’t see the sprig of mistletoe hanging by the stairs. When I heard him coming, I made my move. I planted myself right at the bottom and as soon as he stepped down, I kissed him.”
“And he kissed you back?”
“Well, that’s where the sort of comes in. Although I moved my lips over his, he didn’t really respond. He seemed shocked.” Amy chuckled. “You should have seen him. He stepped back so fast he hit the bottom step and fell against the stairs. It was so damn funny, I nearly peed my pants.”
“That doesn’t sound amusing, Ames. He could have been hurt.”
“Oh, pooh. A big strapping guy like that. You gotta be kidding. He did seem somewhat distressed though. Geez, it was just a harmless kiss. Who’d a thought a guy would act like that? If I’d tried that move with some of the boys I’ve dated, I’d have been fighting them off with my fists. You don’t think he’s queer, do you?”
Fran snorted. “You’re nuts. You know that?”
“Just kidding. Maybe next time he’ll react differently.”
“Next time? Have you no shame?”
“Absolutely none where Jack is involved. Besides, now maybe he won’t see me as Red’s little sister, but as a grown woman instead. He might actually kiss me back.”
That’s it. Friendship or no friendship, she needed to tell Amy the truth. “Ames, listen. I need to tell you . . .”
“Good morning, girls.” Mrs. Lake entered the kitchen carrying a brown paper bag. “Amy, can you give me a hand with the groceries?”
“Sure, Mom.” She grabbed her jacket from the coat rack beside the door. “I’ll be right back, Fran.”
“You need some help?”
“Nah, but as soon as I’m done helping Mom with the groceries, we best head downtown if we’re going to meet the boys on time.”
As she put away the items she bought from the store, Mrs. Lake asked Fran, “What do you girls have planned for today?”
“We
’re meeting the guys at Ray’s and then we’re going sledding.”
“That sounds like fun. It’s a cold, but pretty day.”
Amy carried in and set two bags on the table, then began helping her mother put away the groceries. “Is it all right if we take the car this afternoon, Mom? We’ll need it to haul the toboggan.”
“That’s fine. Now that I’m done with shopping and can begin baking, I’ve no need for it. Why don’t you girls go on? You don’t want to keep the boys waiting.”
“Thanks.” Amy gave her mom a quick hug. “Grab your coat, Fran, and let’s go.”
Last-minute holiday shoppers filled Ray’s diner at lunchtime. Thankfully Jack and Red arrived prior to noon and grabbed a booth before the rush.
“Don’t bother to get up,” Amy said, as she plopped down beside Jack.
Red clamored to his feet and stepped back to allow Fran to sit on the inside placing her directly across the table from Jack.
“Hey, big brother.” Amy grinned at Red. “Did you buy me something expensive for Christmas?”
Red snorted. “What makes you think I bought you anything? I’m just a poor sailor boy.” He slid his arm around Fran’s shoulder and drew her close in a friendly gesture. “It took all my money to buy my girl here something special.”
Irritation and a shadow of annoyance flashed across Jack’s face. His right foot slid forward to touch Fran’s.
Fran sputtered and pulled away attempting to ignore Red’s remark. God, she hoped he hadn’t bought her something expensive. That’s all she needed. “I sincerely hope you’re kidding,” she teased back. “All I bought you was a pair of wool socks.”
“Aw come on, Fran. Socks? Don’t I rate better than that?”
“Hey, that’s what I sent Hank and my brother-in-law.”
“Figures.” Red pretended rejection.
The waitress interrupted their funning to take their orders. Fran was relieved that it wasn’t the same girl as before.
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