(Special thanks to hey-fangirl-hey for the Part 1 graphic)
Light a Candle for Me
Part One: “…See, I’ve gotta come back.” (NSFW)
Headlights on a dusty, green jeep cast a blinding light on the troves of eager young men and women quick stepping their way through the parking lot before screeching brakes bring it to a stop. A few young men squint and shield their eyes from the illumination, lifting their hands to protect their eyes as the light beams sweep over them. The rattling and vibration of the clunking old vehicle comes to a quick stop as the motor is cut, killing the glow of the headlights.
An identical vehicle pulls into the spot beside it and the doors swing open in haste as the occupants, feverish with anticipation and already drunk on their own hormones, clamber out.
He adjusts the Garrison of Forage cap sitting slightly tilted on his head before shifting the knot of his khaki tie under his heavily starched color. The forest green dress coat silhouettes his tall frame and lean body, a brown belt cinched at his waist. A single chevron adorns the bicep of his jacket sleeve and he glances down at his buffed and shined brown leather boots to make sure they were not scuffed on the journey from the base.
Tantilla Garden Dance Hall in Richmond, Virginia on spring and summer nights has been host to eager servicemen from Fort Lee for years, but now the opportunities for soldiers to attend dances on weekends, gyrating to big band music and downing hard liquor at their leisure, has diminished. One day just four months prior forever changed the lives of an entire generation. President Roosevelt declared it as a date which will live in infamy: December 7, 1941. The heinous attack on Pearl Harbor thrust the Americans into the second Great War.
Buoyed by a sense of American patriotism in the wake of the attack, army enlistment exploded as young men determined to avenge the 2,335 lives lost at Pearl Harbor and defend their nation visited military offices and wrapped lines down streets throughout the country for a chance to serve.
Two years before in 1940, the U.S. had begun the first peacetime draft in the nation’s history. Christopher Powell of Cherryfield, Maine was a senior in high school then and gave little thought to being selected in the draft. It was a time of peace after all and the Americans were still war weary from World War I. The draft at the time was for 21-year-old men and Chris wasn’t quite 18 then. He was not concerned.
Pearl Harbor changed everything. The age of the draft was dropped to 18 to secure every able bodied young man for the fight. Christopher Powell was working on a blueberry farm in Cherryfield, helping ready the fields and hauling materials for the spring harvest when he received notification that his services were required by the U.S. government. His mother was a tearful mess that day. His little brother and sister were baffled to understand why their brother was going to be plucked from their lives like one of the blueberries they helped to farm.
Tonight is his last night on U.S. soil. He and the 94th Infantry Division ship out tomorrow morning. Their ship will dock first in London.
He has not allowed himself to think about the war. Even during training drills, learning to quickly reload his rifle, ducking behind barriers, crawling on his hands and knees through mud under barbed wire, and scaling walls at Fort Lee, Chris has not allowed himself to imagine any battle scenario. The only sounds of gun fire he has known are reserved for target practice and drills on base. The boom of a canon has only rattled his nerves occasionally during safely executed simulations at Fort Lee. Despite six weeks of intense training, Chris has never experienced anyone firing back at him.
He will not entertain the thought of what fear will do to his mind and his body. The crucial moments of fighting for his life are still days away. Tonight, tonight he is still in the United States and his boots make a cadence almost in time to the beat of the music floating out into the night air from inside Tantilla hall. A smile stretches over his face as the others from the jeeps fall in line. Each is dressed identically as Chris except for two men, slightly older than the other three, that begin to trail behind.
“Charlie you play your cards right, you might actually get a girl to kiss you tonight,” one of the young soldiers says. There is more than a hint of a New York accent, his Irish Bronx drawl dulling the “R” in Charlie’s name and the word “cards”. His blonde hair is slicked with Brilliantine cream. He has a strong jawline and subtle blue eyes, giving him classic good looks. He is neither tall nor short, but next to Chris Powell he is slightly eclipsed by his buddy’s height.
The comment draws a chuckle from Chris as the much shorter comrade at his side blushes slightly, his cheeks coloring a light red.
“Aw, come on Archie,” Chris grins broadly. “I bet ya Charlie here has kissed plenty of girls back home,” Chris says and elbows his tiny friend.
“Yeah,” Charlie nods. He knits his brow and purses his lips for emphasis. “Lots.” Charlie stands 5’8” and like Chris, hails from the state of Maine. He speaks in a rush always, as if his words are trying to catch up with his thoughts. His brown hair and brown eyes are part of a cherubic face that, culminated with his height, make him look even younger than his age. He is from Portland, about a three hour car ride from Chris’s hometown of Cherryfield. Charlie mentions his five siblings back home, 4 sisters and one younger brother, of which he is the oldest, daily.
“Never kissed a girl in your life, huh?” Chris leans over and whispers to Charlie with a smirk.
“Nope,” Charlie laughs nervously.
“Well, I’ve got a feeling tonight is going to be magical,” Private First Class Powell says. “Tonight Charlie just might be your lucky night!” Chris says and slaps him on the shoulder as they approach the hall door.
Charlie gives a euphoric smile before clapping his hands together, making Chris laugh again.
Trailing behind them, two other men stroll at a casual pace. One wears a similar uniform as the soldiers ahead of him, but his arm is adorned with three chevrons. The older gentleman at his side wears a peaked cap on his head and a silver insignia.
“They’ve been busting at the seams to get here all day,” Sergeant Jack O’Sullivan mumbles and shakes his head.
“Let them have this night,” First Lt. Patrick Thomas replies. “Afterall, we both know what’s coming for them.”
“For all of us,” Sergeant O’Sullivan says. His voice is somewhat gruff, his face consistently looks stern even when he is at rest. His muscular build and broad shoulders forces his arms to lift slightly at his side when he walks, an intimidating swagger that also dares anyone to approach him. An upbringing in Southie, a portion of Boston tied heavily with Irish culture and fist fights,Jack O’Sullivan is not someone for idle chat or child-like pranks. As the men pass, girls lingering near the door glance at each one of them, smiling and giggling. Sergeant O’Sullivan keeps his eyes straight ahead. Each girl notices his red, pillowy pout but the glare in his eyes, even without making eye contact, forces their giggles to die out.
First Lt. Thomas strolls with perfect posture, his back straight, his chin lifted with dignity. His artic blue eyes sit above chiseled cheeks and a strong nose. His raven black hair is always neatly cropped. He speaks with the dialect of an educated man, his words laced with properness and an almost British accent. A college education and a wealthy Connecticut upbringing made him a viable selection for an officer. He had never intended on being in the military, but life circumstances five years ago left him feeling like war was a reasonable fate.
Archie pulls the door to Tantilla open and gestures to usher his pals and officers inside.
Chris enters and his mouth falls open, awestruck and entranced. Velvet swags hang from golden emblazoned molding and a frescoed ceiling, over burgundy, brown and gold décor. Several crystal chandeliers sparkle overhead, jostling slightly from the almost 700 couples jittering about on the dance floor below them. One of two big bands performing this night, Mike Harris and the Imperials, blasts fast jazz music at the writhing and smiling bodies in front of them. At the back of the hall, tables covered in white linens, crystal drinking glasses and porcelain plates are set up for those wanting to rest their dancing feet, eat a bite or just mingle with the night’s pursuit.
“This place is nuts!” Chris says looking around.
Charlie stands with wide-eyes, surveying the room, his senses overloaded by the sights in front of him. Women and girls everywhere, jazz and liquor and all of his anxiety about the ship ride tomorrow swirl in his mind.
“Enjoy the night boys,” Patrick says, slapping both Chris and Archie on the back before heading towards the bar.
“Ay, don’t do anything stupid,” Jack tosses over his shoulder following Patrick.
The beating of the drums and the raucous blare of the horns cause a vibrating in Chris’s chest. He is not aware that he is smiling. As he looks around the massive dance hall, his scan pauses when he spots a young woman near a wall, bending over and reaching behind her. She straightens the seam of her stockings, moving the black line into place on her beautifully sculpted leg. When she stands back up, her hair flips back. She lifts her arms to smooth it and Chris’s smile fades into distant admiration as he gets the first glimpse of her face. He stares, feeling his pulse quicken. Is it the beat of the jazz driving his heart rate up or her beauty? His lips part and he blinks slowly. The music fades, muted into the background as every part of his senses becomes tuned to this young woman.
Her hair is rolled off of her forehead in a Pompadour, with large spiral curls hanging in the back. Her dress is baby blue with a white collar, and a floral print with red accents. It flairs from her waist and swings as she moves in her taupe colored high heels.
“Well hello,” Archie says loud enough for Chris to hear him.
Chris turns his head and looks over at his blonde-haired friend, tracking his gaze in the same direction of the vision of loveliness near the wall.
Chris is about to speak when Archie slaps him on the chest. “Dibs,” he says and a wink and strides towards her.
His shoulders dropping in a huff, he cocks his head back and blows out a long breath as he watches Archie walk towards the young woman. As Archie approaches, two other young women flank the beauty’s sides, staring at him with anticipation.
Charlie looks up at Chris with a shrug. “You know how he is,” he says. “And hey, there are plenty of girls here. Look, over there,” Charlie says and points to the opposite side of the room where two girls are huddled together, covering their mouths with their hands as they look towards Chris and Charlie. “They’re looking this way!”
Chris nods but his eyes never leave Archie and the three young women he has approached, specifically the young woman standing in the middle. She is looking up at Archie with skepticism as he greets her with a saccharine smile.
Charlie nudges Chris with the side of his arm, breaking his focus away from his Judas of a friend. Charlie tosses his head towards the two girls by the wall and Chris watches his shy smile as his neck and cheeks color again.
“You want to go talk to them?” Chris asks.
“Yeah, but…I don’t know how,” Charlie shrugs bashfully. Chris smirks and lets out a light chuckle.
“You’ve got to have a little confidence in you, Charlie.”
“Easy for you to say. Every girl ever on base fell in love with you during training,” Charlie gives a nervous laugh.
Chris shrugs modestly before moving his head from side to side. “You want me to come with you?”
“Buddy, you’d be the best,” Charlie says bouncing slightly on his feet.
Chris grins. Maybe it’s their joint roots in Maine or the similar backgrounds without father’s at home, but Charlie has become like a kid brother to him.
“Alright then, you lead the way,” Chris says pushing him forward slightly. Charlie looks terrified for a moment as he steps out to catch himself, his eyes meeting the two girls looking their way. They both flash smiles at him and he awkwardly smiles back before taking another step. Chris puts a guiding hand on his back, ushering him forward.
Before he walks away, Chris turns and looks back over his shoulder, his eyes still watching Archie and the most beautiful girl he believes he has ever seen. Her arms are folded across her chest now as she cocks an eyebrow and Archie continues to talk.
Suddenly Chris crashes into the back of Charlie, not realize he had stopped walking ahead of him. With a thud they collide, Charlie barely holding his balance as Chris grabs his shoulders to keep himself from falling over. When he looks up, they are standing in front of the two girls who had been making eyes at them.
“H…Hi….”Charlie says nervously.
“Hi,” the two ladies repeat in unison.
“Uh, I’m Charlie and this is uh, Chris,” he says motioning with his thumb.
“I’m Judith and this is Evelyn,” the red-haired girl of the pair replies.
“Nice to meet you Judith,” Charlie’s grin is so wide it touches his ears.
“Good evening,” Chris says with a head nod. Evelyn smiles at him but he does not notice as he turns his attention back to the other side of the room, lifting on his toes and swiveling his head trying to catch another glimpse of Archie and the girl. When Chris does finally spot them again through a break in the dancing crowd, the girl is spinning on her heels and walking away with her friends, Archie quickly following.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be right back,” Chris utters quickly.
Charlie whips his head around. “Wait, what?” he says as Chris turns and shuffles away. “Chris!” Charlie calls after him. He stares bewildered as his friend takes determined steps towards the other wall. Charlie turns and looks back at both Judith and Evelyn who give him a quizzical glance.
“Uh, hehe,” Charlie gulps. “You girls want something to drink?”
Chris Powell dodges a couple swing dancing, as the girl twirls out, he narrowly misses crashing into them, but he did not see them. His attention is only on one person.
He heads in the direction of Archie and the girls and when he spots them, the enchanting girl has her hand up and his shaking her head no at Archie.
Archie’s hands are up in a perplexed plea as Chris bites into his lip, fighting off a laugh.
“Look, I already told you, I. Don’t. Want’t. To.Dance!” The object of Chris’s infatuation states to Archie. The two girlfriends with her stand up tall, sticking their chests forward when they see the drink of water approaching behind Archie.
Chris puts a hand on Archie’s shoulder and smirks. Archie turns his head to the side, shaking it and frowning slightly at Chris.
“Hey pal, Charlie needs you. He’s on the other side of the room,” Chris tosses his head in the general direction.
“What is it?” Archie frowns.
“He could use a little confidence boost and some support is all,” Chris responds sweetly. He glances at the young woman in front of Archie. She is looking at him with hopeful eyes, a tiny smile playing on her crimson lips.
Archie looks from Chris to the girl and rolls his eyes. “Fine….” He says in defeat. He’s never had a girl reject him: Ever. Archie doesn’t look back at her as he leaves them behind.
“Whew, thank you,” the girl says with a laugh as she looks up at Chris. She looks at the long lashes curled over sky blue eyes and feels her own heart rate increase. Her eyes capture everything about his handsome face. So intrigued is she by this man’s looks, she glances down at her shoes for a minute, hoping he can’t see the attraction she feels is burning off of her body.
“No problem,” Chris says with a chuckle. “Archie’s a good guy and he means well. I just don’t think he’s used to girls telling him no,” Chris says.
“I thought as much. I’m surprised he can get that big head of his under a hat,” she throws her head as she speaks and Chris laughs at her fieriness.
“I’m Chris….” He extends his hand.
“MC,” she responds as she slips a delicate hand into his. She feels the sand papery roughness of his farm and army hands, but it does not make her recoil. She likes the feel. She takes it as a sign of his manliness.
Chris holds her hand for longer than is necessary. The time for a formal greeting is passed but her hand remains in his. He squeezes it gently, running his thumb over the smoothness of the back of her skin. She is so soft to his touch. He cannot help but to imagine the silkiness of all of her skin.
“MC,” he repeats as if he has just finally learned the answer to some long held secret. He smiles, looking at her from under his lashes as she peers up at him. She is enchanted and there is dreaminess and longing in her eyes as she stares up at this beautiful young man. The two friends at her side exchange knowing looks.
“MC, would you care to dance?” Chris asks her.
“I’d love to,” she replies wistfully.
***
Three songs later their faces are both damp with sweat. Chris’s uniform feels stifling and MC fans her face with her hand.
“Can I buy you a drink?” Chris asks.
“Sure!” MC says with a smile. “I could use a break,” she laughs lightly and Chris smiles at the delightful sound. They have danced and moved in time together, their eyes never leaving the others as they smiled and wiggled to the music.
MC takes her place at his side as they head to the bar. Chris spots Lt. Thomas and Sergeant O’Sullivan engaged in a conversation as they both sip brown liquid on ice from glasses. The Lieutenant sees Chris and the pretty girl at his side and raises a finger to the brim of his hat in a teasing salute before taking another sip from his glass.
“What would you like? Some wine? Gin?” Chris says as they both lean against one of the few open spaces at the bar.
“Oh, no, none for me. Just a Coke please,” MC grins.
Chris eyes her and his smile widens and nods. He turns to the bartender. “Scotch for me and a Coke,” he says glancing at MC with a smirk, “for the lady.”
The bartender slaps the counter and nods before turning to get their drinks.
“So you’re from around here I’m guessing?” Chris asks as they talk loud enough to hear each other over the music.
“Yeah, actually, I work at Fort Lee,” she nods. “Me and some of the other girls drove up for tonight.”
“You’re at Lee? Impossible! How come I’ve never seen you before tonight?” Chris asks dumbfounded. “I’ve been in training there for six weeks!”
“I’m a seamstress. We are usually hold up at our machines all day. I’m not out and about on the base very much other than to get some fresh air or eat a bite,” she says. “They also frown on the girls mingling with the boys, but, a lot of them still do.”
Chris shakes his head. “Well, I wish I had met you before tonight. I would have snuck away to talk to you every chance I could get!” He smiles.
MC looks up at him, the corner of her lip curving upwards.
The bartender brings over two drinks, sitting her Coke down in front of her and Chris’s scotch in front of him. He takes a sip of the biting drink and she quickly drinks the cooling soda.
Chris reaches for his wallet but the bartender waves him off. “Already taken care of young man,” he says to him. Chris frowns and the bartender throws his head towards the Lieutenant and the Sergeant. Lieutenant Thomas smiles before returning to his conversation with the Sergeant. Chris smiles before looking back to MC.
“I can’t believe you’ve been right there this whole time and I had no idea,” he sighs. “I meet you now and…I’m about to leave….” He turns suddenly solemn.
“When are you shipping out?” MC sips from her drink, her brow creases at this odd turn of fate.
“In the morning,” Chris looks into her eyes. Her face is instantly crestfallen.
“Chris, I’m…I’m so sorry,” she says. He can barely make out the hush of her words over the blaring music.
“No need to be sorry,” he shakes his head.
She nods dejectedly and then suddenly, tickled with an idea, smiles up at him. “Well then, let’s make the most of tonight!”
“Really?” he asks hopeful. He would love nothing more than to spend the rest of his last night at home with this amazing young woman.
“Really!” She grins.
Just then there is a bit of feedback from the mic that draws their attention to the center of the stage.
“We hope you have enjoyed tonight’s set,” Mike Harris says to the crowd. There are hoots, cheers and applause from the dance floor. “We’ve kept things up tempo all night so for our final number we are going to slow it down. Here’s a favorite ‘I’m Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes.’” There are a few aw’s from the crowd as the heartfelt love ballad is announced.
MC lifts her eyes to Chris, her face serene and pleasant her eyes silently questioning him.
“One more dance?” Chris asks her.
“Yes,” she nods, her voice soft. She takes another drink of her coke and sits it down on the bar, Chris chugging the remainder of his scotch before sitting the glass down with a clink of the ice left inside. He extends his hand to MC’s and she places her hand in it as he leads her back to the dance floor. Chris looks around briefly. He catches a glimpse of Charlie dancing with the red-head from earlier. Archie is dancing with her friend, Evelyn, and looks utterly bored.
MC turns to face him as he slides a strong hand around her waist, taking the hand he holds and lifting it near his chest. The band begins to play and Mike begins to sing along to the music.
“So where are you from Chris…uh?”
“Powell, Chris Powell,” he nods. “Cherryfield, Maine,” he nods.
“Long way from home,” she lifts her brows.
“I know,” he sighs as they sway back and forth to the music. “I’m a little worried about that….”
“Why?” She frowns.
“Well, I’m the man of the house,” Chris says not wanting to go into detail about the absence of his father. “I work to support my mom and siblings. My mom had to take a second job when I got the call. But, I’ve been sending almost every dime of my checks back home,” he nods.
“Oh,” MC says staring into his eyes. “That’s a lot of responsibility for you.”
He shrugs a little. “I know but I don’t mind providing for them. See, I’ve gotta come back,” he stresses. “I have to, for them. I’ve got to make it back home to take care of them.”
MC takes a slow deep breath. The corners of her eyes crease ever so slightly. She has not known him long but she can already see his selflessness and his immense caring for other people.
“Promise me something Chris Powell,” MC says and his focus returns to her.
“Anything,” he grins.
“Promise me you’ll come home for me too,” she says.
He looks down into her eyes and their swaying slows. He is taken aback by her statement. She feels she has spoken out of place, conveying too much too soon and she looks down.
As she lowers her head, Chris puts a gentle guiding finger under her chin, lifting her face to look into her eyes.
“I promise I’ll come back for you too,” he says.
Her breath hitches as she drowns in the blue of his eyes and the sentiment he has expressed in return.
The band continues to play and Mike sings on:
Would have been better for us both had we never
In this wide and wicked world had never met
For the pleasure we’ve both seen together
I am sure, love, I’ll never forget
Oh, I’m thinking tonight of my blue eyes
Who is sailing far over the sea
Oh, I’m thinking tonight of my blue eyes
And I wonder if he ever thinks of me
Chris closes the distance between their bodies, his hand moving further across MC’s back until his arm rests around her waist. He presses their linked hands against his chest as her body presses into his. She lays her head on his shoulder. He closes his eyes, his cheek pressed against her hair, inhaling the floral essence of her perfume.
MC tucks her lips as she lets this young man who has so quickly captured her heart guide her in small circles on the dance floor. She has never believed that love at first sight truly existed until this night. How cruel and beautiful life can be. That she should meet a man so wonderful, so caring and handsome for him to leave her the very next day.
The music ends and reluctantly she and Chris pull away from each other, clapping along with the rest of the crowd as Mike and the Imperials leave the stage.
Chris turns to face her once more.
“Would you maybe like to go for a walk?” he asks. “Get out of here and go some place quieter to talk?”
MC doesn’t hesitate. “Yes, let’s go,” she nods.
***
Walking down Broad Street, there is a slight chill in the air on this April night. Neither MC nor Chris mind, feeling the pleasant air brush over their skin like a soothing balm after a night of dancing. The streets are empty, with the exception of a passing car here and there. Chris’s boots and MC’s high heels make the only sounds around them, an occasional chirp from a cricket pops up periodically.
“Wow, would you look at that,” Chris says, hands shoved into his pockets as they stroll down the sidewalk together. He pauses for a moment and she stops, seeing him looking up.
“You ever seen a moon that bright and beautiful?” Chris asks.
MC chuckles lightly. “I’ve seen a lot of nights with beautiful moons.”
“But this one,” Chris takes a deep breath, freeing any reservations or worry from his body. “This one is special. This is the moon that was in the sky the night I met you MC. There will never be another night like tonight,” he says. “We’ve already met. The rest of our story is what we decide to do after tonight.”
She freezes, struck by his words and emotion. Chris drops his eyes from the night sky to her face, illuminated by the full moon. “You want there to be more nights after tonight?” she questions.
“Of course I do. Afterall, I promised to come back, didn’t I?”
“Chris…” she whispers. “That’s beautiful of you to say.”
He shrugs. “It’s the truth. I’m so happy that I met you and that you didn’t like Archie,” he laughs and MC lets out a loud laugh and covers her mouth embarrassed by the boisterousness of her own laugh.
“That makes two of us,” she laughs again.
Chris reaches out and his fingers slide down her arm, clutching her hand in his own. He smiles as he watches her laugh again, feeling the sight of her joy is the most magical thing he has witnessed.
“Would it…would it be okay if I kissed you?” he asks softly.
Her laughter fades and she bites into her lip. Her eye lids flutter and she nods. “Yes….”
Chris tugs her hand slightly, pulling her towards him as she steps forward. He lifts his hands, gently cupping her face between tender finger tips. He traces along her cheek and she sighs from his touch. The cool air around them does nothing to douse the heat rising inside both of them now. Chris closes his eyes, leaning in and MC responds in kind before feeling the warmth of his lips pressing gingerly into hers. His kiss is soft, light and shy at first. He is not sure what boundary line there is with her and he has no intentions of ruining this moment with overzealousness. The feel of her lips, the sweetness of her breath are his heaven. He begins to move his mouth gently over hers. When he pulls back to gauge her reaction, her eyes are still closed, her face calm as if in a dream. Her eyes slowly open and Chris sees the desire for more in them.
He leans in again, pressing gently before slowly capturing her top lip between his. She lets go of his hand, sliding her hands up his arms as they encircle her body. Pressing his tongue against the seam of her lips, he pushes his tongue into her mouth, tasting the sweetness he had already imagined was there.
She responds with eagerness, moaning softly against his lips as he pulls her flush against his chest.
A passing car honks at the two lovers giving them a start and they jump back from one another. MC places a hand to her heart as she giggles, Chris smiling as they watch the vehicle race down the road.
“Maybe….maybe we could go somewhere else, some place not so open,” Chris suggests nervously.
“Okay,” MC nods. “The sidewalk may not be the best place for this afterall,” she laughs lightly.
“But, where, “ Chris looks around. “Sorry I don’t know much about Richmond,” he shrugs.
“There’s a place….I’ve come with the girls here a few times. A fabric store, they have this big warehouse behind it. We’ve picked up material from there. I bet you anything no one’s there this time of night. I think it’s just a couple of blocks from here, we saw it on the drive in,” she chews her lip.
“Only if you are okay with it MC,” Chris nods respectfully.
She turns and looks into his eyes. “I’m fine with it. Besides, you said it yourself, this night is special. No reason for it to end now.”
He nods with a tiny smile. “Then please lead the way.”
***
“MC?” Chris whispers in a shout. “MC!” he says louder and looks around.
He hovers near the door of the warehouse. After a brief 10 minute walk, they found Harper’s Fabric and Drapery. Just as she said, the store and the warehouse behind it were dark.
Chris checked the door to the warehouse and found it locked. MC announced she had an idea before she jogged away and rounded the corner of the building. When Chris last caught sight of her, her legs were dangling out over a window seal as she shimmied through the small crack in the window.
She disappeared inside the building and all was quiet. He raced back to the door, looking all around for anyone who might see them. He could not believe the daring fearlessness of this girl. He was as much astounded by it as he was aroused.
There is a loud clambering from within the warehouse then suddenly the massive wood door swings open on rusty hinges. MC is pushing it open with all of her might and giggling as she does.
Chris rushes to help her open it and glances around.
“Come on in, coast is clear,” she says.
“I can’t believe you just did that!” Chris shouts in a whisper. He steps inside and helps MC shut the door back into place, sliding the bolt lock back.
“What’s a date without a little adventure?” she winks.
He can barely make her face out in the darkness of the warehouse. She moves with her hands out searching before approaching a desk and turning on a small lamp. Her face appears ghostlike above it before she stands. Chris turns and looks at giant steel racks loaded with massive spools of fabric.
“So this is where you get the fabric for our uniforms?” Chris asks looking at the several rows of green and khaki spools.
“Yes, and also for anything special we might be making,” MC nods and approaches him.
“You like sewing then?” Chris asks.
“I’m good at it,” she nods, “and I like it, but I don’t do as much of it now since it’s my job. I did though sew this dress that I’m wearing,” she states.
Chris turns and looks over her body in the dress, causing her to flush. “It’s beautiful on you,” he says softly.
“Thank you…” she says and clears her throat.
MC feels suddenly a little awkward and begins to walk between the large racks of fabric. “I’ve seen so much green and khaki I think I’d love to make a uniform out of solid red just to change the pace,” she jokes.
Chris laughs. “I don’t know if that would camouflage so well.”
“You’re right,” she smiles over her shoulder as she walks in front of him. She runs her hands over wool, cotton and silk fabrics.
Chris walks behind her, watching the sway in her hips as she touches the spools.
She pauses as she touches a familiar piece of forest green wool. She has used it many times to make officer jackets. She thinks about the job of making clothing to send young men off to war. Her eyes lift to Chris who is studying her curiously.
“Are you afraid?” she asks softly.
He takes a deep breath. “I don’t know. I don’t know what I feel,” he says. His face becomes stoic as he reflects momentarily but stops it as soon as he feels the mental pull. “I’ve been trying not to think about it. Just taking each day as it comes and thankful to wake up for the next.”
MC nods slowly and looks over at him.
“What is it you want to do with your life before you go Chris? If this wasn’t happening, if there was no war, what would you want for your life?”
He swallows as he thinks, staring out into nothingness before returning his eyes back to her. “To be able to have a good job to take care of my family and to have the love of a good woman and one day a family of my own,” he says. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“No girl in Maine waiting for you?” He said.
He grunts and shakes his head. “None at all. I had a girlfriend in high school. It was serious, well for high school, but we broke up. Just got over child-like things and grew apart.”
“How long were you together?” MC asks.
“Three years.”
MC raises her eyebrows and nods. “Long time. Probably shared a lot of things with her,” she cocks her head to the side questioningly.
“Not everything….” Chris answers her unspoken question.
“Oh,” she gulps and nods tearing her eyes away from him and looking down at the fabric.
“Since you were out with your girlfriends tonight, I guess that means no boyfriend?” Chris questions.
“No,” she shakes her head.
“You’re far too pretty to tell me you’ve never had one though,” he smiles ruefully. “Has there been a lucky fella?”
MC almost snorts. “I had a few dates for dances and events but no one ever really steady,” she says. “I’ve never met someone I…I liked that much until tonight,” she says in a low, almost inaudible voice.
Chris tucks his lips. “I’ve never felt like this about any girl either MC….” He steps forward and runs his hand down her back. She closes her eyes as a chill runs through her.
“Chris, I’ve…I’ve never….” She shakes her head and doesn’t continue.
“It’s okay, I wasn’t expecting that,” he encourages. “I haven’t either,” he says.
She turns and faces him. “Don’t you…don’t you want to know what it feels like before you go? What if, you never get the chance again…?” She questions boldly.
His head jerks back subtly but she still detects it. “I…well….yes…but….only if….only if that’s what you want too….”
She turns and faces him, staring at the floor. Only inches of space separate their bodies. She lifts her eyes slowly. “It’s what I want too. You may no-…” she stops herself and he lifts his hand and touches her cheek.
“Hey, I’m coming back. I told you. I’ve got to,” he repeats.
She nods and he turns his hand, brushing the back of his knuckles over her cheek. She closes her eyes, her lips parted as she releases unsteady breaths. Her chest begins to heave.
“Kiss me again,” she whispers to him.
Chris does not hesitate to oblige and leans in, his soft lips placing a searing kiss on her mouth. There is yearning in his entire body and hers.
MC reaches up, cupping his hands in her head, pulling the hat off his head and tossing it to the floor before her fingers work their way through his thick brown locks.
His lips part as he presses his tongue into her mouth, the shyness from before gone and replaced by only desire.
He moves his mouth to her neck, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. She tilts her head back, feeling the heat from his lips on every place of the soft flesh he places a kiss.
“Are you sure?” he asks with a groan. MC’s hip presses against his groin and she feels the hardness underneath his pants.
Her fingers still in his hair, she lifts his head back up towards her mouth.
“I’m sure,” she moans before his lips descend upon hers again. She fumbles to unbuckle the belt cinching his jacket before her nimble seamstress fingers flutter over each of the buttons on his jacket, undoing them skillfully before she pushes it back on his shoulders.
Her lips begin to feel tender from the invasion of his but she does not want it to end. Part of her makes a silent wish to be able to feel Chris’s lips like this for the rest of her days. She reaches up and loosens his tie by the knot, before tugging it off. Untucking his shirt, MC kisses Chris’s neck in return as he continues to float kisses over her lips, face, and neck. He bites at her ear lobe and her knees weaken at the warm, sharp sensation.
He reaches behind her, beginning to work each of the buttons on the back of her dress. His fingers find each loop hole without pulling away from her. Their breaths and pants fill the warehouse, echoing in the silence of the building. MC peels his shirt off his arms and stops him for just a minute to marvel at his body. In just a white tank and his slacks, the sinewy muscles in his arms and shoulders are tanned from his work on the farm and training. His shoulders are strong and she runs her hand over the tank, feeling the ripples underneath. It only peaks her interest and she pulls at the tank. Chris whips it over his head and she rests her hands against the muscles of his chest, kissing his neck and groaning.
“MC,” Chris moans and closes his eyes as she kisses underneath his jawline.
He pulls at the final button of her dress and begins to pull it down her shoulders. She steps back from him and he drinks in her visage in the dim light, watching as the dress falls to the floor. Standing in her white bra, rayon panties, slip, stockings and heels, Chris sucks in a breath.
“You’re so beautiful MC,” he says to her, bringing color to her cheeks once more.
He bends down, his eyes still focused on her, as he unlaces his boots one by one, sliding them off along with his socks. His hungry stare does not waiver as he reaches forward and slips each of her heels off her feet, looking up at her. He gives each of her knees a soft kiss, forcing her to close her eyes at his way of loving.
He slowly rises, sliding his fingertips up the back of her thighs under her slip and kissing at her navel before standing and holding her bottom in his hands.
He searches her eyes and asks once more. “You’re sure?”
She simply nods and kisses his lips softly.
He stares into her eyes before glancing around and guiding her back towards the spools of fabric. He lays her on top of several rows of soft cotton fabric. MC’s back resting on top of the strong spools, she watches and waits as Chris unbuttons his pants and steps out of them, climbing on top of her slowly in just his boxers. He balances his body weight delicately on top of hers, giving her a soft kiss once more.
His hand slides down her thigh, rolling down a stocking from her knee and tugging it off before doing the same with the other. He can see the quickness in which her chest is moving, hear the staggered spurts of breath as her anticipation grows. He reaches behind her and she arches her back slightly as he unhooks her bra and drags each strap down over her arms before flinging her bra to the floor. He kisses each of her shoulders before letting his lips trail down over her breasts, capturing a nipple in his mouth. Her back arches again as she gasps, cradling his head in her arms.
He moves his lips back up to her face and kisses her cheek.
MC looks up into eyes as blue as swimming pools that are locked onto hers. He runs his hand down over her belly before it disappears under her slip slides into the warmed rayon panties she is wearing. A louder gasp escapes her lips as his fingers work over her, circling steadily.
“Chris,” she moans out. “Chris!” she repeats, shocked at her own body’s response. She feels the dampness flooding now in response to his hand. He finds her hot and her folds swollen in anticipation of him. He wants her to be ready. He wants to cause her as little pain as possible during what is the first time to make love for both of them. He slides one finger in, pumping it slowly, working it inside her. He feels her wetness on his knuckle and feels her walls sucking and pulling at his finger. Her hips begin to move on instinct, meeting the thrust of his finger. He slowly slides a second digit inside her, and she clinches his shoulders as he works to open her, giving her pleasure at the same time.
His lips seek her nipple again, sucking and licking as his hand moves back and forth with quickened pace. Her cries of pleasure grow louder. Chris feels himself so aroused, his manhood slips out of his boxers, the thin material no longer able to contain him.
“MC,” he pants, his breath tickling her slick nipple as he hovers over her chest and speaks. His eyes plead, he feels like he might explode.
“I’m ready,” she nods trying to sound confident even though she feels her nerves rising. She exhales deeply in a vain attempt to catch her breath.
Chris raises his hips and pushes his boxers down off of them. They falls somewhere onto another spool as he positions himself between MC’s legs. Her eyes grow large as she peers down at his bobbing manhood. She was ready she told herself, but at the size of him, she becomes somewhat fearful of what she will feel next. He pulls her panties down her thighs. She watches his movements, seeing the anxiousness in his eyes, his own breathing raggid.
He climbs back on top of her, laying his chest against hers, his lips kissing her cheek then lips sweetly.
She spreads her thighs wider as she feels his hot swollen tip pressing against her sex, pushing gently over her hot folds. He pauses, groaning loudly and looks at her face.
“Ah,” he sighs, his body beginning to tremble. She looks up and takes his face in her hands. “MC….” He says and she feels his body shake from the overwhelming sensations he feels for the first time. She is hot, so insanely wet and tight as he pushes slowly deeper.
At this she suddenly lets go of his face and her fingers dig into his shoulders.
“Ungh!” she cries out and he stops. Wrinkles form on her forehead as she winces slightly. She bites into her lip as she grips his shoulders tighter. A searing pain shoots through her abdomen.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers to her and kisses her lips.
“It’s…ah…it’s okay,” she grits her teeth slightly.
“Tell me when,” he whispers as she adjusts to him. Chris is struck by a thought. MC will be curved to fit him perfectly. He prays that he be the only man to ever give her pleasure this way.
She nods slowly after a few breaths, her face no longer contorted.
He pushes in again and she grunts through the pain as he slides himself all the way in. Chris does not concern himself with his own pleasure at the moment, looking down at her face, twisted as she wrestles with the end of her purity. He felt a release inside her as he slid in.
She holds on tightly to his arms. Every muscle in her body is tight. Chris kisses her forehead, trailing his lips down the slope of her nose, kissing the tip before kissing her lips. Slowly she returns his kiss and he feels her body release. The tautness in her muscles is gone and her eyes open slowly and when she looks up, he is studying her face with concern.
“It’s okay, keep going….” she bids.
He nods slowly, kissing her again, their tongues meeting passionately as he begins to work his hips back and forth. He lets nature take control, letting his basic, primal male instinct lead the way as he works himself in and out of her.
MC moans again, her back arching, her head thrashing as Chris gives her ecstasy her body has ever known. He moans, whispering in her ear as he rests his cheek against hers.
“So beautiful…so sweet….” He tells her. “MC….”
She wraps her arms around his back and he feels a tingling in his groin. He knows he is close. He thrusts with quickening pace, their breathing labored as he sets about pleasing her.
Suddenly he feels the building and is helpless to stop it. He grunts and spills inside her, groaning and letting out a loud shout as he finishes, collapsing in a weakened, exhausted heap on top of her.
MC kisses his shoulder and neck, playing with his hair as he regains his breath. His eyes are closed, resting as the trembles lessen. He slowly rises up onto his hands, pulling out of her and looking down into her eyes.
“That was the most amazing thing I have ever felt. Thank you MC….”
She sits up and kisses him one more time. He looks down and sees the deep crimson spot on the back of her slip.
***
The bus at Fort Lee is pulled near the main gate. Families are gathered to see their men off. They all pray, hope, some even bargain with God that this will not be the last time.
The members of the 94th Infantry Division leave the barracks, duffle bags over their shoulders and make their way to the crowd assembled before them.
MC stands near the front of the line, squinting for a glimpse of Chris. They made it back to Tantilla Hall in time to catch one of the jeeps back to the base. MC parting ways with Chris at the gate as she grabbed a cab to head to home. He placed a long, lingering kiss against her mouth before he sadly said good night and watched her drive away. It had been just three hours before and now their time for a formal goodbye had come and MC was back at the base.
Standing beside her a brunette cradles a toddler in her arms. The little boy looks to be no older than two and wears a bonnet to shield his face from the sun. MC smiles at the plumpness in his cheeks and legs. His white shoes are hugged around his mother’s waist.
Sergeant O’Sullivan is the first to approach the group of well-wishers and the woman instantly leans in and kisses his lips as he stands before her. His face lights up for the first time in weeks when he kisses her and then reaches his arms out and grabs his son, Daniel. The sergeant’s mouth opens and he wiggles his fingers, tickling his boy before he takes him in his arms.
He closes his eyes as he presses his lips to the child’s forehead, memorizing this moment. The woman brings her fingertips to her lips, her eyes welling with tears as she watches the two boys in her life.
“You be good for Mama, you hear me?” Jack says to his son. The toddler nods before chewing his finger. “I love you and, I’m going to be home real soon and teach you how to throw the ball and we are going to a Red Sox game too, your first as soon as I get home okay?” The child only smiles at his father.
“Hug your Daddy,” the woman says and the child wraps his tiny arms around his father’s strong neck. Jack clinches him, his own eyes tearing as he rubs his head and kisses him once more. An older woman at their side reaches out. “Go to Grandma,” Jack says and hands the child to her, trying to will his tears away.
“My Lizzie girl,” he says to the woman who had been standing beside MC. The pretty brown haired girl melts against him, her body sinking into his embrace. She doesn’t care who is watching and neither does Jack. He scoops her up, and she wraps her legs around his waist as he holds her in her sun dress.
“You stay safe and you come back, you hear me? You come home Jack,” she says her voice thick with tears as she clutches him.
“I’ll make it back Lizzie girl,” he whispers. “They ain’t never met a son of a bitch as ornery as me,” he says drawing a laugh from her. She pulls back and he places a kiss on her lips, she deepens it, holding his face before they press their foreheads together.
MC’s eyes water at the emotional exchange. She and Chris only met last night. She could not imagine if he were leaving her as her husband and the father of her child.
As he waits for the troops to line up and say their goodbyes, Lieutenant Thomas feels a pain his chest at the sight of the O’Sullivan’s. There is no one there to see him off. She is with him now only in spirit. He reaches into his jacket and takes out his pocket watch. He presses the top and it flips open, the picture of a smiling young woman faded but still pressed inside.
He stares at the picture for a moment before lifting his eyes to the sky. He snaps the watch closed and heads to the bus to speak with the driver.
Chris exits the barracks and sees MC immediately. He drops his duffle bag and his steps grow from a hurry, to a gallop to a race as he opens his arms to her. She leaps into them, wrapping her arms around his neck as he lifts her up.
“Remember your promise to me Private Powell,” she says in his ears, blinking back tears.
“How could I forget?” he says softly to her. “…See, I’ve gotta come back now.” He stresses again. He sits her down and looks in her eyes. “Last night I dreamt about what our lives would be if I wasn’t leaving. I decided when I woke up that I was going to tell you everything that I needed to say to you before I left, no regrets of what was never said. So, I know it’s soon, I know it’s crazy but I love you MC. I love you and I’m going to come back.”
Tears spill down her cheeks and she rises up on her toes, kissing is lips.
“I love you too,” She says back to him. “I love you and we will see each other again soon.”
“You betcha,” he forces a grin but he gulps back the tears building. “I’ll write to you? Okay. I’ll send the letters here to the base.”
“You better,” she says and playfully punches at his shoulder as she wipes at her eyes.
“Thank you MC for the greatest night of my life,” he touches her chin with his fingers. “I’ll be back. See you soon,” he nods and gives her a smile.
“See you….” She breaths out. She holds his hand for a minute.
“Load up!” Lieutenant Thomas shouts from the front of the bus.
“Gotta go,” Chris nods. He lifts her hand to his lips and kisses it before he turns and walks away quickly. He can’t look back. If he looks back he will break. He will throw himself at his feet and plead to the U.S. government, Lieutenant Thomas and anyone else who will listen that he can’t go. He just met the girl of his dreams.
He picks up his duffle bag and takes a seat on the bus behind Archie and next to Charlie.
“How was last night?” Chris asks Charlie. He has to think of something other than the woman standing near the gate waiting for their bus to leave.
Charlie gives a sideways grin. “I kissed her. Judith. She gave me a long kiss goodnight.”
Chris smiles and reaches over and ruffles his hair. “Atta boy, Charlie!”
“Archie, look about-“ Chris begins.
“Eh. It’s fine,” Archie waves off. He looks out the window and sees MC wiping at her face as she looks towards the bus. “Evelyn turned out to be a lot of fun. Way more than I thought she would be,” he winks. Chris keeps silent, sharing not a word about the intimacy he experienced with MC.
The bus cranks up and Sergeant O’sullivan and the Lieutenant take their seats.
As the bus pulls away, Chris looks out the window, waving a hand at MC as their bus makes its way to New York.
She lifts a hand, waving back and trying to smile. She is suddenly nauseous with the feeling that she will never see his face again.