March 25, 1942
Audrey sulked home after her students finally left. She had exactly six blocks left to work on her attitude before she arrived. At the rate she was going, she’d need a dozen more to change anything.
“So much for a happy birthday.” She hated the whiny tinge to her voice, but couldn’t help it. Maybe if she talked enough on her walk, she’d use up the whine before Mama heard it.
Things had been going so well with Willard. After the day on the ranch, he’d called several times and taken her out for lunch Sunday after church. She’d laughed until her sides ached as he told her story after story about growing up on the ranch. The afternoon had merely confirmed her growing certainty that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with this man. She couldn’t imagine how empty she would feel if he stopped looking at her with such devotion. In his eyes, she saw the beautiful woman that she longed to be. And when he told her why he loved her, she believed him.
If he could see her now, he might change his mind. Still, she couldn’t stifle her disappointment.
“He didn’t even call last night. No note this morning. No present left at school. Now he’ll probably babysit cows all night. Some birthday.” From the sidewalk, she examined the flowerbeds in each yard she passed. “And no daffodils. Perfect. Happy twenty-first birthday to me.”
She kicked a clod of dirt across the sidewalk and marched the rest of the way home. Might as well get the day over with and move on. Some days were best left as quickly as possible, and this had all the markings of one of them. She cut through the alley and walked up the steps to the back door.
“Mama, I’m home.”
“In here, dear.”
“Where’s here?” Audrey mumbled.
“The living room. Put your things down and come join us.”
Us? Who else could there be? Robert and John would be off with friends. Dad worked until five o’clock. Audrey hung up her coat, and then walked down the hall to the living room, curiosity quickening her steps.
“Hello, Audrey.”
With those two words, Audrey’s heart melted. Willard hadn’t forgotten.
“These are for you.” He handed her a simple vase overflowing with a dozen sunshine-yellow daffodils.
Tears threatened to slip past her lashes as she accepted the vase. She buried her head in the blossoms and tried to collect her thoughts. “I love daffodils, but they aren’t blooming yet. Where did you find these?”
“It doesn’t matter. I couldn’t let your birthday pass without giving you a reminder that spring is around the corner.”
Audrey set the vase on the lamp table and rushed into his arms. “Thank you. I thought you’d forgotten.”
“How could I forget the most important day on the calendar?”
As she stepped back, Audrey saw another vase filled with roses on the coffee table. “Who are those for?” She looked at Mama and puzzled at her bright smile.
“Those are for your mother. I had to thank her for the gift of you.”
The tears rushed back into Audrey’s eyes as she heard those words.
“Willard, I think you’d better get Audrey out of here before she floods the house with her tears.”
“My pleasure, ma’am. Will you join me for supper, Audrey?”
Audrey nodded and felt foolish for the fears she’d allowed to play through her mind on the way home.
In no time they were bundled in the Packard and headed downtown. Willard escorted her to Molly’s and requested a table by the fireplace.
“I want to replace some bad memories I created with good ones, Audrey. You deserve only good ones.”
Audrey had to look away from the love that shone in his eyes. “I’m overwhelmed, Willard. Where did you find the daffodils?”
“It’s a secret.”
“Please tell me.” She batted her eyelashes and smiled.
“How can I resist that? I had Helen’s Flower Shop find them for me.”
Audrey blinked and sat up. “Oh. I guess that means spring isn’t quite here.”
Willard laughed and reached across the table for her hand. Grasping it lightly in his, he ran his thumb across her fingers. “Not quite. But spring is around the corner.”
Her heart stirred at the look that promised more days with Willard.
The meal passed with banter. Audrey glowed, not sure whether it was from the fire behind her or from the attention Willard showered on her. After they split a piece of cake, he suggested they go for a walk. Audrey eagerly agreed. She’d walk to Siberia for the opportunity to extend the most perfect evening of her life.
They strolled down Dewey toward the railroad tracks. At Front they turned right and approached the station.
A train huffed on the tracks as the conductor yelled, “All aboard!” They watched as a flood of uniforms raced to the train, and laughed as the last soldier tried to stuff extra sandwiches in a pocket while he balanced a boxed birthday cake with the other hand.
“I wonder if it’s really his birthday.”
Audrey smiled. “It doesn’t matter. He feels like a king carrying that box. It’ll taste sweet either way.” They reached the platform and stood against the railing looking at each other.
“Speaking of sweet.” Willard leaned down and kissed Audrey, stealing her breath.
“Oh. You would know how to make this night absolutely perfect.” Audrey leaned into Willard as she tried to find her breath. She was jostled away from him when he shifted. She watched in confusion as he stepped away and then dropped to one knee. Her hand flew to her heart and tears pooled in her eyes. She wanted to jump, run, and dance all at the same time. Instead, she stopped as if frozen by a north wind.
“Audrey, you have made my life so rich. Your father has given me his blessing to ask you the most important question of my life. Will you do me the honor of agreeing to marry me?”
Her hand fluttered from her heart to her throat, and she searched his eyes. Fear and anger were gone, replaced by a love so deep she could drown in it. She nodded her head and started to squeal. “Yes. Yes, Willard, I’ll marry you.”
As clapping floated to her ears, Audrey turned and saw her parents, brothers, Lainie, and a bunch of Canteen volunteers standing by the lunchroom door. Somehow, in that moment, Audrey knew everything was as it should be.
“Kiss me please, Willard.” Everything faded except the love on his face as he leaned toward her.