The view of the Pacific Ocean from the plane was incredible
and I can’t wait for you to see it. Once I’m officially a pilot I want
to share it with you. I guess we can add that to the long list of things
I want to share with you.
Our training begins bright and early Sunday morning. I guess the Navy
doesn’t abide by Sunday being a day of rest. I know that made you
laugh and I wish I were there to hear it.
I miss you already and will be counting the days until I see you again.
All my love,
Paul
I read the letter twice more before tucking it away in my dresser drawer. Pulling out the letter I started the day Paul left, I add to telling him that I too, would be counting the days until he returned.
The next morning, I can hardly wait to tell Millie that I had received a letter from Paul. Being the amazing friend that she is, she allows me to go on about it the entire ride to work. When the bus comes to a stop, Millie and I part to head off to work, but made plans before to meet afterwards for dinner.
Arriving at work and settling in behind my desk, cheerfully greeting Mr. Palmer when he arrived.
“Good morning Mr. Palmer.”
“Good morning Miss Thorpe. I’m guessing by that smile on your face you’ve heard from Paul.”
“I have and I have a letter ready for the postman when he comes in today,” I reply holding up the addressed envelope.
Mr. Palmer laughs, “I had no doubt you would,” he teased as he went into his office.
Working at the bank had become my salvation. I had made a few more friends, none that would ever replace Millie of course. We had known each other far too long for that to happen. And though Paul was never far from my thoughts, work helped occupy my time and kept me from dwelling on the fact that he wasn’t here.
Over the next couple of weeks, the letters continued and on the third week, I received two letters because he couldn’t wait to tell me about his first time piloting with an instructor. His excitement poured off the page as he described the feeling of being above the clouds. To think that he wanted to share that with me warmed my heart.
As the weeks went by, my excitement built at the realization, that Paul would be coming home soon. I missed him terribly, and even though Millie and Don included me on some of their outings, I knew that they needed time alone as well. There would be plenty of time for us to go out together once Paul returned.
When the next letter arrived, I feel giddy all over again. Taking the letter to my room, I settle on my bed, open the envelope and remove the letter, ready to hear the latest on Paul’s flight training.
My Beautiful Ruby,
I can’t believe I’m halfway through my training. Last week
the instructor took us up to get us used to being at the controls. This week,
we went back up only I was in control giving the instructor readings and
determining when and where to land. My first landing was a little rough, but
by the end of the week, I was landing like a veteran pilot. Even the instructor
commented on how much I improved over the week.
The last two weeks of our training, we’ll be teamed up with a rear pilot and
graded on how well we work together. And before you ask, you’ll be right there
with me, pinned to the panel reminding me why I’m doing this.
I did get a chance to explore the island a bit, and it is a beautiful place to see.
One I hope I get to share with you. Everywhere I looked, I saw something that
reminded me of you. I couldn’t help but think about our last night together, the
song we danced to and how I held you in my arms.
I probably shouldn’t mention this, but we’ve been working extra hours in hopes
of being home in time for Christmas. If not, then you can bet I’ll be there to kiss
you at midnight while we ring in the New Year.
I love you Ruby and miss you more than I ever imagined. In only four short
weeks, I’ll be coming home to you. I can’t wait to hold you in my arms once again.
All my love now and always,
Paul
Unable to contain my excitement at the thought of Paul being home in time for Christmas, I take off across the street to tell Millie. Running up the sidewalk, I knock on the door and wait for someone to answer. When the door opens, Mrs. Bishop greets me.
“Hello Ruby,” she says with a smile.
“Hi Mrs. Bishop, may I speak to Millie for a minute?”
“Of course,” she says opening the door wider. “Come on in, she’s in the kitchen helping me with dinner.”
“Thank you,” I say as I step inside and follow Mrs. Bishop to the kitchen.
“Mille dear,” she says, “Ruby is here to see you.”
Looking up from the potato she is peeling, Millie smiles, but I can see the confusion in her eyes as to why I’m there, until she sees the letter in my hand.
“Hi Ruby, everything okay?”
“Yes, everything’s fine. I just needed to talk to you for a minute.”
“Sure,” Millie says. “I’ll be right back Mom.”
“You girls take your time. Ruby would you like to stay for dinner?”
“Oh, thank you Mrs. Bishop, but I think Mom already has something started.”
Following Millie to her room, she closes the door behind me and asks, “Is that a letter from Paul?”
“Yes,” I practically sing in delight. “Millie, he said he might be home in time for Christmas!”
“What? Ruby that’s wonderful!”
“I know! He said they’ve been working extra hours a day so they can finish early before the holiday. There’s still a chance he won’t be here for Christmas, but he’ll definitely be here for New Year’s Eve.
“Oh Ruby, I’m so happy for you. I know you’ve missed him terribly.”
“I have, but once he’s back we won’t have to keep things secret. We’re going to tell my parents and start planning our future. And I’ll officially be a Flyboy’s girl.”
Chapter 15
December 7, 1941
When Sunday arrived, I was still floating on cloud nine at the thought that Paul may be home for Christmas.
Dressing for church, I made my way to the kitchen to have breakfast with my parents.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” my mother says as I enter the room.
“Good morning,” I cheerfully reply before kissing my dad’s cheek on the way to my seat at the table.
Placing a few pancakes on my plate, my dad asks, “Ruby, how’s your job going?”
“Really well. Mr. Palmer is so nice, and since he’s new to his position, we are learning together.”
“Good, I’m glad to hear that.”
Just as Dad starts to ask me another question, the telephone rings, and Dad excuses himself to answer it.
Concerned of the timing of the call, Mom and I listen to Dad’s side of the conversation.
“Thorpe,” Dad says as he answers the call and listens intently to the caller has to say.
“They what?” We watch as Dad sighs, his shoulders slumping at what he’s been told, and runs his hand across his forehead. “Casualties? Yeah. Call the Captains and have them meet me at HQ in fifteen minutes, and send the car.” Hanging up the receiver, and looking completely defeated, Dad turns back to us.
“Edgar, what’s wrong?”
Standing with his hands on the back of his chair he says, “The Japanese just attacked Pearl Harbor.”
“Oh dear Lord,” my mother says as my chest begins to tighten and tears fill my eyes.
“Number of casualties are unknown at this time, but expected to be many.”
“What can we do?” my mother asks.
“Pray,” he says as he turns to go to their room to change into his uniform.
“Mom,” I murmur, voice filled
with emotion.
“Oh sweetheart,” she says taking my hand. “Let’s not worry too much just yet. You heard your father, the best thing we can do right now is pray.”
When Dad returns dressed in uniform, he kisses the top of my head and then my mother. “I’ll update you when I can. I don’t know how late I’ll be.”
“Do what you need to, we’ll be fine. I expect the other children will call soon, I’ll tell them what I can.”
Watching my parents together, I can see the worry in my father’s eyes, but his shoulders relax the tiniest bit just knowing that Mom is here to support him. Tears begin to fill my eyes again as I begin to pray harder that I’ll have the chance to support Paul in the same way.
We didn’t see Dad again until the next day when he came home to shower and change before heading back to his office. According to the Joint Board, the President would be making a declaration of war against Japan today in his address to the nation. Casualty numbers were still coming in, it would likely be a few days before the final numbers, and names of those injured or killed were released.
Arriving at work on Monday, Mr. Palmer met me at my desk.
“Miss Thorpe,” he asks, voice filled with concern. “Have you heard anything from Paul?”
Giving him a weak smile I reply, “No, not yet.”
“If you need to leave, I completely understand.”
“Thank you, but if it’s okay with you I would rather be here. It helps if I keep busy instead of sitting around waiting on word to come in from Hawaii.”
“Of course. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thank you, I will.”
Wednesday evening after dinner with my parents, as I began clearing the table, Dad said, “We received a list of damages today. Four battleships were sunk and we lost more than one-hundred-fifty aircraft.” Dad clears his throat of the emotion, so he can finish what he needs to say. “Four of the men we sent for training last month were killed during the attack.”
“Oh Edgar I’m so sorry,” my mother says as she squeezes my father’s hand. “Do you know who they were?”
“Jenkins, Carver, Simmons, and Babcock.”
The plates I had been carrying to the sink slipped from my hands, shattering on the kitchen floor at my father’s words. Both of my parents turned their focus to me as I felt the blood drain from my face and tears fill my eyes. “P-Paul Babcock?”
“Yes, why?”
“No,” I say as I begin shaking my head while sinking to the floor among the broken plates. “No, not Paul,” I repeated as I began to cry hysterically. Lifting me from the floor, my father places me in a chair as my mother wraps me in her arms and tries to comfort me, unaware that I just lost the man I love.
“Oh sweetheart,” she whispers. “I’m so sorry.” She continues whispering soothing words as she holds me, allowing me to cry. When I finally run out of tears, she asks, “Do you want to tell us about him?”
Drying my tears on the handkerchief Dad hands me, I tell them how I met Paul, and had been secretly seeing him. How after he returned from his training, we were going to tell them. As tears once again begin to run down my cheeks, through my sobs I say, “But now you won’t get the chance to know how wonderful he was or find out how I could have fallen in love with him after such a short time. Now someone will have to break the news to his parents that he won’t be coming home.”
The worry that has been present in Dad’s eyes is now gone and sadness takes its place. Sadness for the loss of men under his command. Sadness for the loss of the man I love. Sadness that there will be many more lost before it’s over.
“Daddy, do you know if Don White was told about Paul? They were best friends.”
Reaching over he squeezes my hand, “I’ll make sure he knows.”
“Thank you. If you don’t mind, I think I’m going to go to my room now.”
Giving me a tight hug, Mom says, “Of course sweetheart.”
Walking into my room and closing the door, I lie on my bed and before I cry myself to sleep, I ask God to look after Paul until I see him again.
Two days after receiving the news about Paul, while eating dinner, there was a knock on the door. Rising from his seat, Dad leaves the table to answer it.
Opening the door, I hear Dad say, “Seaman Apprentice White. What can I do for you?”
“Good evening Admiral. I was wondering if I might have a moment with your daughter, sir.”
“Of course. Please come in and have a seat, I’ll let Ruby know you’re here.”
“Thank you sir,” I hear Don reply.
When Dad walks back into the kitchen, he clears his throat. “Ruby, Seaman Apprentice White is here to see you.”
Grief and sorrow grip my heart as I rise from my seat to go speak to Paul’s best friend.
Don rises as I step into the living room. “Ruby,” he says and that along with the sadness I see in his eyes is all it takes to send me into tears once again.
Wrapping me in his arms, Don holds me as I cry, and whispers, “I am so sorry Ruby. He loved you so much.”
“I loved him too,” I say around my sobs.
“I know,” he says as he directs me to sit on the sofa. “Ruby, I know Paul was trying to get home to spend Christmas with you. But in case he didn’t get back, he wanted me to give this to you to open Christmas Day.”
Don holds out a small wrapped box and an envelope, and with shaky hands and tears silently streaming down my face, I accept it. Giving me a sad smile Don says, “I think he would be okay with you opening it now, if you want.”
Running my hand over the box, I express my appreciation, “Thank you Don. I’m so glad Paul had you as a friend.”
“I’m honored to have called him my friend,” Don says as he stands, preparing to leave. “Ruby, if there’s anything I can do for you, just let me know.”
“Thank you, I will,” I reply as I walk him to the door. “Don,” I call out, gaining his attention just before he opens the door. “There is one thing you can do for me.”
“Sure Ruby, name it.”
“Go tell your girl how you feel.”
Giving me a weak smile, Don nods before saying, “I’m heading there now. Wish me luck.”
“You don’t need luck, you’ve got love on your side.”
Saying goodnight to Don, I close the door and resume my seat on the sofa. Opening the envelope, I read the words Paul had written.
My Beautiful Ruby,
If you’re reading this, then I didn’t make it home for Christmas,
and I’m still away at training instead of giving you this in person. I hope
this gift keeps you company until I see you again. I found it on my first
outing on the island and knew you had to have it.
Merry Christmas Ruby, I love you and will see you soon.
Forever your Flyboy,
Paul
Folding the letter, I place it back in the envelope. Carefully unwrapping the box, I slowly lift the top as tears cloud my eyes once again. Nestled on black velvet is a necklace with a pendant of entwined hearts. My breath catches at the beautiful gift and thoughtfulness behind it. Securing the necklace around my neck, and laying my hand over the hearts I whisper, “I’ll always love you too, Flyboy.”
Chapter 16
Natalie – Present Day
When Grandma Ruby finishes her story, Zoey, Alana and I are all sobbing surrounded by a sea of used tissues.
“Grandma,” I say my voice thick with emotion. “That is the most beautiful, heart-wrenching story I’ve ever heard.”
“It was heart-wrenching to live through,” she says as she wipes the tears away from her own eyes.
Through her sniffles, Alana asks, “So you never saw Paul again?”
“No sweet girl, I didn’t,” Grandma says to Alana
Focusing on the box that held Grandma Ruby’s memories, Zoey asks, “How did you get your letters back?”
“When Paul’s things were returned to
the base, Don made sure the letters I had written Paul and the photos I had given him were given back to me before everything else was sent to his parents.”
“It must have been devastating to lose your true love like that.”
“Oh child,” Grandma says to Zoey, “I didn’t lose my true love. I lost my first love. There’s a difference.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Your first love teaches you what it means to love and how to love. How to think of someone else first and be considerate of their feelings. But your true love, they’re the one that sweeps you off your feet when you least expect it. The one that constantly tells you that you’ve been on their mind. The one you think about when you buy a new dress, because you can’t wait to see the look on his face when he sees you in it for the first time. The one you imagine building a life with, and sharing a home with, and having children with, that’s who your true love is.”
“But didn’t you have all those things with Paul?”
“I did to some extent. Being with Paul was exciting. Mostly because I wasn’t supposed to date someone on base. Even though I loved Paul, I eventually understood our love just wasn’t meant to be, and that he would want me to be happy, even if it was with someone else.”
“How long did it take you to get over Paul?”
“I don’t know that you ever really get over you first love. Your first love will always be a part of you, just like Paul will always be a part of me. But once you find the one you are meant to spend the rest of your life with, the relationships of your past become life lessons.”
Alana, who has been listening intently to every question Zoey has asked, finally gets to ask a question of her own. “So if Paul wasn’t your true love, who was?”
Grandma Ruby smiles and her eyes light with love. “That honor belonged to my Calvin.”
Excited to hear another story, Alana asks, “Will you tell us how you met Grandpa Calvin?”
Help Our Heroes: A Military Charity Anthology Page 42