Chapter Twenty-Eight

July 6, 1944

Dear Father and Mother,

You may have gotten a telegram about Milton. I want you to know that I have seen him in the hospital. He is alive and recovering from his wounds. They brought him to a hospital in England after he was wounded in Normandy. A medic found a letter he had written to me and sent it on with a note about Milton. That is how I knew what happened to him. His wounds are serious, but he is alive and he will recover.

I don’t know how long it will be before they can put him on a ship to the states. Depends on when a hospital ship is available, but he will be shipped to a hospital back home. I am sure he will write you when he is settled. Then maybe you can visit him.

You can still write to him at his overseas address, and he will get your letters eventually. I don’t know if I will be able to visit him again. We have been extremely busy as you can guess from the news. As I’ve told you before, I cannot say anything about my work.

I want you to know that Milton will be okay. It will just take time.

Your loving daughter,

Katherine

****

Kitty mailed her letter, then went in search of a new pair of stockings. She’d pulled a run in her last good pair on the train from Norwich.

Her thoughts roamed back to the platform when he’d kissed her good-bye. He’d looked so handsome in his uniform, his billed cap cocked to one side like Clark Gable. She’d wished for a camera to snap a picture. And she’d made him promise to have one made, a nice one, she could have framed. She wanted to be able to look at him every day.

Lost in her dreams, she wasn’t watching where she was going. She crashed into another shopper. The other WAC grabbed the counter to keep from falling.

“Excuse me.” Kitty reached for the other girl to steady her and found herself facing Madge.

Her old friend glared and said nothing.

Kitty’s stomach clinched. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

“I know. You practically knocked me down.”

Kitty fought the urge to look away, to avoid facing Madge. Guilt drenched her in a cold sweat. She knew, to her old friend, her face was as transparent as glass.

“I’m sorry,” Kitty repeated.

Madge stared at her for a moment. “Sally told me your brother was wounded.”

Kitty nodded.

“I hope it wasn’t too bad.” Madge was truly sympathetic.

“Bad enough.” Kitty could feel this enormous, unspoken thing between them. It had to be brought out into the open if she ever hoped to resurrect their friendship.

“Well, I hope he’s okay.”

“I’ve seen Ted,” Kitty blurted out.

“What?”

“Ted. I saw him in Norwich.”

Madge’s face bloomed red with anger. “Are you trying to rub it in?”

Kitty shook her head, but Madge ignored her.

“It’s bad enough you sneaked around and broke us up. To steal him for yourself. Now you’re trying to gloat in triumph by telling me you’ve seen him. Next you’ll be claiming he loves you.”

“He does. And I love him.”

Madge turned even redder, her eyes bulged and Kitty thought she would explode.

“You rat. You little conniving rat. You knew how I felt about him, but you went after him anyway. You meant to hurt me all along, didn’t you? Show me you could steal him? After all I did for you?”

“No, no. It wasn’t like that. I didn’t mean for it to happen. Let me explain.”

“Right! Still playing the innocent. Well, I know better.”

“I knew you liked him. It’s true. I tried to stop it, really I did. But…” How could she make Madge understand? “Do you remember me telling you about the man on the beach?”

“What’s that got to do with anything?”

“It was him. It was Ted.”

Madge inhaled sharply, then she became eerily silent. Her eyes narrowed as she absorbed the information.

“I know I should have told you. But I couldn’t. You were so crazy about him. And he didn’t remember me. At least not at first.”

“Are you trying to tell me that Ted, my Ted, was the man you dreamed about?” Madge’s voice pierced like cold steel. “Is that why you had to have him, even though you knew I was in love with him?”

“I didn’t mean to hurt you. I tried to stay away from him.” She desperately wanted Madge to understand. And she desperately wanted to shed the pall of guilt hanging over her. “He pursued me. Don’t you see? I tried to keep it from happening.”

“I don’t believe a word of it. You wanted him, and you got him.” She drew a ragged breath and looked away for a few seconds. When she looked back, fury burned in her eyes. “Stay away from me. I never want to see you again.” Her words ground out, full of pain and bitter anger.

Tears slid down Kitty’s cheeks. She watched Madge stomp off, her fury evident in her every step.

The friend she’d counted on, clung to even, now hated her. And most of the other girls would take Madge’s side, like they always did. Everybody loved Madge. And that left Kitty alone. The WACs at the castle were already cool and distant, even when they asked about her brother. When Madge got through, Kitty wouldn’t have a friend left.

Madge had not only taught her about men. She had been her door to the world of girlfriends, sharing confidences, helping each other get through the tough times, celebrating the small things that made life here tolerable. When the general chose Kitty to work for him, the wedge between her and her friends had started. Several had pulled back, kept their distance. Now her love for Ted and Madge’s anger would finish the job.

Could she go on like this? She’d survived as a kid with no one to talk to, no one who understood her—except Milton. Now she had Ted. She could survive. After all, he loved her. That was all she needed.

****

Kitty focused on her typing. In her absence, General Lake had held on to his daily notes not trusting her replacements to decipher them properly. And since he insisted on everything being typed, she had returned to a mountain of paperwork. On top of that, Captain Weatherby had rotated several girls to give them experience working for the general, so the filing was a mess.

Oh, well. I might as well work late and get caught up. No one will miss me.

She recognized the “oh poor me” syndrome, but she couldn’t shake it. Why should she? The only people who cared were Milton and Ted, and both of them were beyond her reach.

Even General Lake had been distant since her return. He was unusually preoccupied, which was unlike his usual calm, friendly manner. Even the heightened stress of the invasion had barely disturbed his steady hand. This was different. Something was going on.

His aide mentioned that he’d been called to Eighth Air Force Headquarters during her absence, and he’d come back all worked up and mysterious.

“Sergeant.”

Kitty jerked. Her fingers clanked the keys, locking up her typewriter.

She looked up.

“Sorry to startle you. I thought you heard me calling you.”

“No, sir. I’m sorry. I was focused on this…” She looked down at the little arms locked together so neither could strike the ribbon. She reached into the mechanism to release them when he spoke again.

“Greenlee.” Impatience added an edge of forcefulness. “Come into my office. Now.”

“Oh. Yes, sir.” Kitty reached for her pad and pencil, jumped up, and followed the general into his office. On the way she noticed the ink on her fingers and wished she’d grabbed her handkerchief.

Many of the officers who had streamed in and out of the general’s office all morning stood or sat in various places around the office.

“Now, gentlemen, Sergeant Greenlee will take notes. I want to send out a memo to everyone under my command. But before I do, I want all of us to be in agreement.”

Kitty quickly took the chair offered to her and flipped to a blank page in her pad. She headed the page with the date, General Lake’s name, and began listing the other attendees. Obviously impatient to begin, the general started dictating, so she skipped a space to fill in the names later and began taking dictation.

What started out sounding routine quickly transformed into a shocking development, at least it shocked her. Apparently all the others already knew about it.

General Lake had been ordered to report to Eighth Air Force Headquarters to assume the responsibilities of another officer. The Second Combat Bombardment Wing would be turned over to Colonel Snyder who would be promoted to Lieutenant General. One of the group commanders would move into Colonel Snyder’s position and various other personnel changes would be made by Colonel Snyder.

When General Lake stated he would be leaving the next day, her head jerked up. For a few seconds she lost her place. The general caught her gaze and paused long enough for her to get hold of herself.

It took a great deal of effort for Kitty to force herself to look back down at her pad and focus on her shorthand. She must capture every word. She couldn’t slip up now, not when her future hung in the balance. Colonel Snyder didn’t like her. He would make sure she returned to the group of stenographers. She could only pray he wouldn’t retaliate against her for the general’s favors. As commanding officer, he could make her life miserable.

The meeting ended, and Kitty returned to her desk to type up the notes and a draft of the general’s memo. Her fingers shook as she rolled a fresh piece of paper into her machine and started to type.

“Sergeant.” The general’s voice was gentler this time.

She looked up. “Yes, sir.”

“Come back into my office a moment.”

“Yes, sir.” She drew a deep breath and rose. Automatically she reached for her pad.

“You won’t need that.”

“Sir?”

“Just come in for a minute.”

She followed him into the office. He stood by the door and closed it once she was inside. All the others had gone. A moment of panic seized her. What was he going to do?

He walked past her and waved toward a chair. “Sit down.”

She sank into the chair and waited for him to speak. Maybe he would just thank her for her hard work.

“I know it was a shock to you, hearing that I’m being transferred.”

She nodded, unable to speak. Somehow she knew whatever he had to say to her would be bad, very bad.

“You’ve worked very hard, and you’ve done an excellent job.” He paused. “I must admit I was a little outdone with you for lying to me about your brother. Being honest is a virtue, even when it is uncomfortable.”

“Yes, sir. I’m very sorry, sir.” She tried to sound contrite even though she knew she would probably do the same thing again.

“Never the less, you’ve done an excellent job. I don’t think I realized just how much you were doing until you were gone. None of the others could keep up or understand me. You always know what I’m trying to say.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“That’s why I made some inquiries.”

Kitty watched his face, tried to read his thoughts.

He placed his elbows on the desk and leaned forward until his chin rested on his fists. “I have a proposition for you.”

Her heart raced. “Sir?”

“If you want, you can come with me.”

“Sir?” Kitty was confused.

“To High Wycombe. Eighth Air Force Headquarters. As my secretary.” He straightened up. “You don’t have to give me an answer now. It’s strictly voluntary. But think about it. You’d be at headquarters just outside of London. Might get another stripe out of it. Although I can’t guarantee that. It’d be a great opportunity.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

He smiled. “That’s what I expected.” He stood and turned to walk around the desk. “I’d like to take you with me. You’d be of enormous help. After all, that’s what you’re here for isn’t it? To help the war effort?”

“Yes, sir.” He stood by her now, and she realized she was supposed to leave.

“You’ll have to give me your answer by in the morning. Sorry I can’t give you more time, but the war won’t wait.” He laughed nervously, like he knew his joke was lame, but he said it anyway.

Still in shock, she shuffled toward the door. “Yes, sir. Tomorrow, sir.”

He opened the door. “Now get those things typed up as soon as you can.”

“Yes, sir.” Kitty moved automatically to her desk. She sat behind her typewriter and stared straight ahead. Her mind was still trying to digest what he had said.

He wanted her to go with him to Eighth Air Force Headquarters. He was leaving tomorrow. He wanted an answer by in the morning. Help the war effort.

He was right about that. She’d come to England to do her part to help win this war. Now more than ever she wanted to do that. And if that meant going with General Lake then that’s what she would do. After all, what did she have here? Ted was at the air base near Norwich. Madge hated her, and her other friends had become cool toward her. Starting over somewhere else might be the best thing. She might even be closer to Milton and be able to visit him.

Her mind raced ahead to all the changes, to what might be in her future. General Lake had been good to her. He’d actually been easy to work for. And he appreciated her work. Unlike Colonel Snyder. The decision was easy. Of course she’d go.

****

Ted stared at the blank page. His supply of paper and envelopes were stacked on the table beside him, evidence of his intention to honor his promise to write to Kitty. A promise that was easier to give than to actually do. He had no idea how to write to the woman he loved.

The letters he’d written before had been brief notes. But now, things were different between Kitty and him. He wanted to tell her everything, his every thought, his every feeling. He couldn’t do that. It wasn’t reasonable, and he didn’t have enough paper.

“Wow!” Sparky Stone plopped onto the bunk beside him. “Must be really serious. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you write a letter before.”

“Me either,” Billy chimed in. The officer stood nearby holding a mug of questionable contents.

“Lay off, fellows,” Ted retorted.

“Who ya’ writing?” Sparky asked.

“None of your business.”

“Oh, it’s gonna be that way, is it?”

“It’s a girl. Okay?”

“Kruger, writing to a girl. What happened? Did one finally get her hooks into you?” Sparky persisted.

“Wouldn’t be that pin-up at headquarters, would it? Thought you broke up with her.” Billy had a way of getting to Ted, always jabbing him when he got the chance.

“No, it’s not Madge.” Ted gritted his teeth in an attempt to control his urge to blurt out Kitty’s name.

“Then who? Must be hot to get you putting words on paper.”

Ted gathered up his things and stood. “I think I’ll go somewhere else to do this. Somewhere where I can think.”

“Okay, lover boy. But keep us informed how you do. One of us might want to try her out when you’re through with her.”

Ted forced himself to leave before he punched someone. He couldn’t bear to hear comments like that about Kitty. It had never bothered him before—joking about his girlfriends, bragging about his prowess with the ladies. But Kitty was different. She was a nice girl—his nice girl. And he wanted to protect her.

He headed for the base chapel. The one place he could count on to be quiet. He could be alone, and he could write without worry of being interrupted.

The door creaked as he entered. The room wasn’t very big. Chairs lined up to face the simple altar. He hadn’t been inside a church since high school when he’d gone with his grandparents. Memories of their love and the stable home they had given him flooded back. How could he have turned his back on the only people who loved him? He’d been young and rebellious, determined to make his own way with no one to hold him back. Six years and a lifetime of experience changed his perspective.

He looked at the writing materials and vowed to not only write Kitty but to also write to his grandparents. And maybe he’d write to his mother, too.

****

Kitty quickly oriented herself to the office and the WAC quarters in High Wycombe. Helping General Lake settle into his new job proved more challenging. He found himself in a smaller office and one of many generals working together to coordinate the activities of a huge organization spread all over England.

This new role proved very different from running a combat wing. He had to adjust to working in committees, sitting in endless meetings, and focusing on organizational issues. Giving the orders, being the one in charge, had been easier.

To help him prepare, Kitty gathered information on everything from number of personnel and aircraft to fuel usage and supply depots. She found it fascinating.

The other WACs in the office were helpful but a little distant. Whenever Kitty asked, they provided her with assistance in a very professional and impersonal way. In the barracks the girls were friendly enough. They exchanged small talk and helped her in a more friendly fashion than in camps stateside. Yet they all kept their distance. They didn’t want to get too close. After thinking about it a while, Kitty decided she preferred keeping to herself, too. She’d learned that getting close could cause problems. Right now she wanted to focus on work. After all, they were all here to help win the war.

She wrote to Ted to give him her new address. His letters would find her eventually. He’d promised to write, and in her heart she knew he wouldn’t break his promise.